Sisi in New York to take part in 73rd UNGA

CAIRO - 21 September 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi headed to New York City on Friday to take part in the 73rd UN General Assembly (UNGA) meetings which kicked off Tuesday at the UN headquarters.

“Sisi’s speech will expound on Egypt’s comprehensive vision regarding all international and regional challenges. He is also expected to urge the world to contain all armed conflicts, combat terrorism, push for denuclearization, and tackle economic concerns,” presidential spokesperson Bassam Radi stated.

Radi stressed on Friday that President Sisi's speech is also expected to shed light on deteriorating situations in the Middle East and Arab world. “Sisi will chair the high-level meeting of the 77 Group which Egypt is currently heading for the third time in the history of the G77.”

The Group of 77 (G77) at the United Nations is a coalition of developing nations, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests. It was founded in June 1964 by the “Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries" issued at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Palestine is to chair the group starting January 2019.

The agenda of the running UN General Assembly’s meetings focuses on development issues, preserving international security, fighting terrorism, and human rights.

“Sisi’s visit to NYC will include an intensive activity at the bilateral level between Cairo and Washington as the president is expected to hold dozens of meetings with high-profile political and intellectual figures in American society, along with meetings with American investors, commerce chamber senior leaders and firms’ heads,” Radi added.

Meeting with various leaders and presidents is also on Sisi’s agenda during his participation in the 73rd UNGA as he will discuss means of enhancing the bilateral relations between Egypt and these countries at various levels and in different fields. Moreover, Sisi is expected to discuss the developments of regional and international issues.

“President Sisi will also participate in the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, which coincides with the centennial celebration of the late African leader's birth, and will deliver a speech on the occasion to the summit."

Sisi’s Fifth Participation in the UNGA

This is the fifth participation of President Sisi in the UNGA since he assumed office in June 2014. Egypt’s foreign policies have witnessed significant development seen in the global and regional arenas. Egypt is a key player in fighting terrorism globally and boosting peace through its 30,000 soldiers’ participation in UN peacekeeping missions, along with Egypt’s efforts to solve Syrian, Palestinian, Yemeni and Libyan crises.

In the war against terrorism, the UN Security Council adopted a draft resolution on terrorism that was drafted by Egypt.

Sisi’s participation in the 69th, 70th, 71st and 72nd sessions of the UNGA highlighted Egyptian foreign diplomacy through his speeches before UNGA leaders and participants.