President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has lauded the longstanding co-operation between Egypt and the UNHCR in providing international protection for refugees and asylum seekers and managing asylum procedures in accordance with national legislation.
President Sisi welcomed on Thursday the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, on his first visit to Egypt, and congratulated him on assuming office earlier this year, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati, attended the meeting together with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Representative to Egypt and the Arab League, Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Rema Imseis, and the High Commissioner’s Special Assistant, Riz Gardi.
During the meeting, President Sisi reviewed Egypt’s efforts in hosting more than 10.5 million foreigners, migrants, and refugees of various nationalities amid regional and international crises.
He also stressed Egypt’s commitment to providing essential services within its capabilities while respecting both domestic laws and international obligations, Spokesman Shennawy added.
Sisi stressed that Egypt has never used the refugee issue for political purposes and called for better implementation of the principle of international burden- and responsibility-sharing.
The Egyptian leader urged more international support for Egypt and for the country’s emerging national asylum system, while advocating for a comprehensive approach to addressing displacement through tackling its root causes, including political, security, and economic challenges.
For his part, Salih commended Egypt’s efforts in hosting millions of refugees and migrants, describing these burden as substantial.
He stressed the need for genuine international support and welcomed Egypt’s establishment of a new national asylum framework, including the Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs.
Salih highlighted Egypt’s pivotal role in promoting regional stability and voiced the UNHCR’s readiness to support the country’s refugee management efforts.
The UN official briefed President Sisi on his vision for the UNHCR’s work over the coming period amid mounting global displacement challenges.
He also outlined the agency’s strategy aimed at reducing refugee numbers worldwide and expressed his eagerness to continue co-operation with Egypt in this regard, particularly given the country’s pivotal role in addressing regional and international issues, Shennawy said.
