Egypt asserts importance of inhibiting proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East

CAIRO – 5 April 2023: Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Osama Abdel Khaleq asserted the importance of inhibiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East as well as other sorts of weapons of mass destruction.

The ambassador also urged, in his speech at a United Nations Disarmament Commission meeting, drawing up an international legally binding charter to prevent an arms race in outer space.

In a related context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in December that the United National General Assembly (UNGA) had endorsed the reelection of Egypt as member of the Peacebuilding Commission for 2023 and 2024.

Egypt's Envoy at the United Nations Osama Abdel Khaleq stated that the reelection is the outcome of the voting of the African group in New York. The ambassador noted that the voting reflects the contributions of Egypt to peacebuilding efforts in Africa.

Abdel Khaleq pointed out that Egypt was the commission's chair in 2021, representing Africa, and that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has been giving special care to reconstruction and development in post-conflict areas within work at the African Union (AU).

The diplomat stressed that Egypt would not cease working with stakeholders to support the efforts aimed at reinforcing the United Nations' peacebuilding structure, which requires sufficient, sustainable, and predictable funding.

In that context, the Egypt's envoy to the United Nations underscored the importance of allocating financial resources to peacebuilding activities within the United Nations budget.

As such, the body would be able to respond to support requests submitted by member states, particularly African ones, maintaining peace and preventing the reemergence of conflict.