Egyptian lawmakers highlight importance of US-Africa summit in supporting Africa's development

CAIRO - 15 December 2022: A number of Egyptian parliamentarians voiced their praisal of the launch of the second US-African summit in Washington as "an important and decisive step in strengthening relations and means of cooperation on common global priorities with African governments."

 

A number of 49 African heads of state were invited to summit, which the parliamentarians saw as a step towards building more partnerships, and supporting the development paths in the African continent, according to Hassan Ammar, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives.  

 

Ammar pointed out that Egypt will have a prominent presence at this summit, especially since it has returned as a major player in the region under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi over the past years, and enjoys being a country with weight and influence due to the vital role it plays.

 

He added that Egypt's foreign relations have been characterized as diverse and balanced with different countries of the world, while preserving Egypt's national interests, and that the country has always taken upon itself to bear the concerns of the African continent in all its international participations and to speak on its behalf, and to be keen to provide solutions to end conflicts and establish development.

 

The member of the House of Representatives added that the results of the climate summit and the activation of the pledges that the United States took on itself regarding the combat of the negative impact of climate change will be strongly discussed.

 

In addition, he said that finding innovative solutions to the current challenges will be also tackled, especially food and health security, and energy access.

 

He further highlighted that summit will represent an opportunity to increase investments by holding a business forum between the two sides, and it will be an opportunity for meeting African companies with their counterparts, to be a step for joint cooperation and exchange of experiences.

 

Ammar indicated that the summit will witness the strengthening of a new economic commitment between the two sides, support for peace, security and good governance, and a reaffirmation of commitment to democracy, human rights and the role of civil society.

 

Representative Jamal Aboul Fotouh, Secretary of the Senate Agriculture and Irrigation Committee, confirms that the launch of the US-Africa summit will contribute to advancing common priorities, strengthening relations between the United States and the continent, and supporting the horizon of trade and investment in Africa, which comes months after the announcement of the US strategy towards Africa. 

 

He pointed out that the goals of the United States for the summit are based on opening up to societies, supporting recovery from the effects of the Corona pandemic and discussing economic opportunities, in addition to supporting climate preservation through adaptation, a just transfer of energy and support for resistant infrastructure.

 

About Fotouh further added that the summit is taking place amid multiple challenges, both at the international level and the resulting repercussions that have increased the burdens on the continent, as well as the existence of prolonged conflicts and terrorism in some African countries, "which makes us look forward to it being an opportunity towards reformulating Africa's status and role in the global economy, and meeting the needs of its peoples and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships that create jobs and stimulate inclusive and sustainable growth."

 

The representative stressed that the U.S. is aware of the leading role of Egypt in the region and the role it plays in light of the political weight it enjoys.