Terrorism hinders state endeavors in empowering youth: Sisi

CAIRO – 7 November 2017: “Egypt is a pioneering example when it comes to achieving peace and co-existence,” President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said on Tuesday during his meeting with a number of young people and members of Egyptian communities abroad at the World Youth Forum.

"Peace is the norm and war is an exception," Sisi added.

He explained that the forum represents a good opportunity for all foreign attendants to have a closer and fairer look at Egypt and its people; stressing that young people are the personification of hope, strength and ambition.

"I have a strong belief in young people and their abilities,” the president affirmed; adding that "entrepreneurship is not just about creating new jobs but also keeping the existing ones at hand.”

He further concurred that Egypt seeks to develop the infrastructure to boost the economic growth and to provide job opportunities for young people.

"Infrastructure projects can change the status quo and empower young people through employment opportunities," he said.

On terrorism, President Sisi said that establishing anti-terrorism laws is crucial in constructing a genuinely democratic and civil state.

"Terrorism exhausts state resources that would be better used in providing employment opportunities for young people;” he stated, clarifying that countries use terrorism to inflict damage upon others to achieve their interests.

"The fight against terrorism is not a security issue; confronting terrorism boils down to rooting out poverty, ignorance and extremist ideologies.”

The president pointed out that "we seek to encourage investments through the establishment of special industrial zones and flexible investment laws"

The WYF, which launched on Sunday, is a forum designed to give youth from all over the world the chance to engage in the development of the world. It is a chance to allow them to be heard as well by world leaders and influential individuals. Egypt’s first international youth event is set to run until November 10, bringing together 3,000 youth represented by 60 delegations from around the world.