Photos: Egypt’s FM affirms to UN Secretary-General the need to reach legally-binding deal on GERD

CAIRO – 25 September 2021: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry affirmed the need for a legally-binding agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as he met on Saturday with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

The meeting comes as Shoukry is concluding his visit to New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 76th session.

Shoukry congratulated the Secretary-General on the success of the opening of the 76th session of the UNGA, despite the circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic.

He also lauded the activities and deliberations witnessed during the UNGA, which focused on advancing global and multilateral working mechanisms and strengthening global peace and security.

Shoukry expressed Egypt's appreciation and support for the efforts made by the Secretary-General and the UN and its specialized agencies in preventing disputes, building peace and achieving development goals.

Shoukry also reiterated during the meeting Egypt's position regarding the GERD file and the need to reach a binding legal agreement on the operation and filling of the dam.

This should take place in a manner that takes into account the interests of all parties and as encouraged by the presidential statement issued by the Security Council in the middle of September, Shoukry said.

He also affirmed Egypt's aspiration for the continuous support of the Secretary-General and the United Nations to the efforts to achieve a GERD deal.

Shoukry reviewed with Guterres the national efforts made by Egypt in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as well as Egypt's active involvement in the areas of promoting human rights.

This comes especially with Egypt's launch of the National Human Rights Strategy, as the country’s first integrated and long-term self-strategy in the field of human rights, Shoukry explained.

The meeting also reviewed regional files and issues and witnessed an exchange of views in this regard.

The meeting also agreed on the importance of continuing to work towards pushing forward all efforts that would resolve crises in order to achieve the desired stability.