Arab ambassadors to Cairo affirm support for Egypt’s candidate for Director-General of UNESCO position

CAIRO – 6 September 2024: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty held, on Thursday, a comprehensive meeting with the ambassadors of Arab countries accredited to Cairo, in presence to Dr. Khaled El-Enany, the Egyptian candidate for the position of Director-General of UNESCO, was also present.

The meeting involved an in-depth discussion on various issues of mutual interest affecting the security and stability of the Arab region, said the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid. The ambassadors reaffirmed their support for Dr. Khaled El-Enany’s candidacy for the position of Director-General of UNESCO, in line with the decision of the Arab Summit in Manama.

Minister Abdelatty began the meeting by extending a warm welcome to the Arab ambassadors, highlighting Egypt’s role and the deep historical ties that connect it with other Arab nations. The meeting underscored Egypt's commitment to maintaining fraternal relations and addressing shared interests, including the security and stability of the Arab world and the aspirations of its people.

The spokesperson further noted that Minister Abdelatty discussed the unprecedented and serious challenges currently facing the Arab region. He pointed out the emerging threats to the nation-state and the crises affecting the capabilities of Arab countries. The Minister emphasized that the only effective way to address these challenges is through preserving the nation-state and its institutions, as well as enhancing bilateral coordination and collective Arab action. He also stressed the importance of promoting Arab national security as an indivisible concept.

Ambassador Abu Zeid added that Dr. Abdelatty expressed Egypt's commitment to strengthening its relationships with all Arab countries through economic and investment cooperation. He encouraged the ambassadors to explore investment opportunities in Egypt and enhance trade exchanges, emphasizing that genuine economic advancement and development can only be achieved through comprehensive Arab solidarity.

Additionally, Dr. Abdelatty underscored that achieving stability in the Middle East requires a comprehensive and just political settlement of the Palestinian issue, in line with international legitimacy and based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.