President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to promoting co-operation with the United Nations and supporting efforts to reform the UN system, including initiatives to streamline spending, review mandates and enhance co-ordination among UN bodies.
The President made the remarks during a meeting on Saturday with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.
President El-Sisi expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the major efforts made by Guterres during his tenure as secretary-general, amid severe challenges and an increasingly complex international environment.
He said Guterres would leave a valued legacy when he steps down from his post.
El-Sisi also stressed Egypt’s keenness to strengthen its co-operation with the UN and its various agencies, while supporting efforts to reform the UN system, according to Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy.
This includes the Secretary-General’s initiative to streamline spending, review mandates and strengthen co-ordination and integration among UN bodies.
He stressed the need to ensure greater ownership by member states of the negotiations taking place under the initiative.
Guterres thanked President El-Sisi for Egypt’s support throughout his two terms in office since 2017.
He praised the leading role played by Egypt, under President El-Sisi, in promoting dialogue, peace and coexistence, and in supporting security and stability in the Middle East and Africa, the presidency spokesman said. He also commended Egypt’s humanitarian efforts and its constructive co-operation with UN agencies and international organisations.
The talks during the meeting also covered developments in a number of regional issues.
President El-Sisi stressed that achieving peace and stability in the Middle East requires a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian cause in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, ensuring lasting peace and regional stability.
He outlined Egypt’s efforts, in co-ordination with mediators, to implement the commitments of the second phase of the agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip. He stressed the need for the international community to fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring that sufficient humanitarian aid reaches the Gazans.
The talks also addressed the crisis in Sudan. President El-Sisi stressed that any threat to the security, unity or sovereignty of Sudan constitutes a red line that Egypt will not allow to be crossed.
