'Since its launching, Aswan forum has been high-profile platform for exchanging African views': Egypt's FM

CAIRO – 1 March 2021: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry inaugurated Monday the second edition of Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development delivering the opening speech.

Shokry said that Egypt has been backing joint African work since last century when it was supporting fellow African states to get independence. "Egypt believes that peace is the main pillar of development," the FM added.

"The disturbance imposed by COVID-19 globally made remedying its impact in Africa the theme of this edition," Shokry pointed out.

Elaborating further on the consequences of the pandemic, the minister said, "the pandemic made us re-consider traditional concepts of security, particularly when dealing with terrorism, and cross border organized crime."

"Unlike the first edition, the second edition tackles climate change for its influence on security and development, and discusses arts and culture," Shokry underlined.  "Since its launching in 2019, the forum has been a high-profile platform for exchanging African views on continental affairs," Shokry said stressing Egypt’s Keenness on reinforcing cooperation with fellow African countries.

In the end, Shokry thanked partners from private sector, research centers, international organizations, and others.

The second edition of Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development kicked off Monday virtually. The forum is is organized by Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping. The event is taking place on March 1-5 under the auspices of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.