Egypt's Permanent Representative to the UN's Geneva headquarters Ambassador Alaa Youssef on Tuesday was handed over the presidency of the African Group meant to defend African countries' interests at the UN and other international institutions in Geneva.

During a meeting of the group, which comprises ambassadors of the African Union (AU) member states, Youssef said that Egypt supports all efforts exerted by African states to counter the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

On that score, he asserted that the African Group should intensify its activities during the coming period in support of efforts exerted by AU members states to deal with the coronavirus health repercussions.

The Egyptian diplomat called on the African Group to focus on a number of issues in its talks with international organizations during the forthcoming period, including getting access to medical supplies and external debt relief, in addition to providing necessary support for migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons.

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