Egypt’s Sisi participates in mini-Africa-Europe summit

CAIRO – 9 September 2023: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi participated in a mini-Africa-Europe summit, which was held on the sidelines of the Group of 20, G20, Summit, in New Delhi, on Saturday.

The mini-summit brought together the leaders and representatives of Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and France as well as South Africa, Nigeria and the Comoros, which is holding the current Chairmanship of the African Union. This is in addition to the EU, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund,  said Presidential spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy in a statement.

The Africa-Europe mini-summit focused on developments in a multitude of dossiers of common interest, notably the African Union’s admission into the G20, Fahmy said.

The AU’s membership was welcomed and President El-Sisi confirmed that it represents a step in the right direction, offering the opportunity to set the continent’s priorities on the international agenda, Fahmy added.

The participants had an in-depth discussion on the current international situation and its negative repercussions on the issue of food security.

President El-Sisi emphasized that containing the challenges of the growing food crisis, particularly in the African continent, requires developing a common vision to enhance the governance of the global food security system.

This vision shall be based on the centrality of the multilateral order, and the consistency of efforts exerted by international financial institutions and effective parties in responding promptly and effectively to the crisis, including its root-causes and multiple dimensions, Fahmy continued.

The President reiterated that one of the main priorities of Egypt’s Chairmanship of AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee is to activate “The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program”, in a manner that supports food security in Africa, in light of the urgent need to develop the agricultural sector and rural development to achieve food security for the peoples of Africa.

During their mini-summit, the African and European leaders were aligned with regard to the importance of continuing coordination and action to take full advantage of their partnership, in order to reinforce exchanging mutual interest and gains.