During a meeting Monday evening on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the top diplomats agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation between Cairo and Washington, said foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid.

In July, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and US President Joe Biden renewed their commitment to the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue that is co-chaired by Blinken and Shoukry and welcomed the continued implementation of its outcomes. This came during the two leaders' meeting on the side-lines of the Jeddah Summit when Biden reiterated that the US aims to continue to support Egypt in providing for its own defence, including through the continued provision of security assistance in consultation with the US Congress.

Concerning economic cooperation, El-Sisi and Biden agreed to explore new ways to expand bilateral trade, increase private sector investments, and collaborate on clean energy and climate technology. Furthermore, they welcomed the recent US GreenTech Mission to Egypt and committed to launch the high-level Joint Economic Commission.

Monday's meeting between Shoukry and Blinken took up regional and international developments of mutual concern, Abu Zeid added.

Shoukry and Blinken focused on the situation in Libya, Syria, Yemen and the Palestinian territories, the spokesman said.

They also discussed developments regarding Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The top diplomats also discussed preparations for the upcoming international climate summit (COP27), which will be hosted by Egypt from 6-18 November in Sharm El-Sheikh, Abu Zeid said.

The repercussions of the Ukrainian crisis for food security also figured high in the meeting, he added.

Following the meeting, Blinken tweeted: "Just concluded a meeting with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry at #UNGA to discuss Egypt’s important contribution to regional stability and cooperation on a range of global issues, human rights, Egypt’s water security, and #COP27."

Shoukry - US Envoy for Yemen

Earlier Monday, Shoukry discussed with US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking the latest developments in the war-torn country.

Shoukry briefed Lenderking on Egyptian efforts to consolidate the truce reached by Yemen's warring parties in April and to alleviate the humanitarian burden on its people.

Shoukry also stressed to Lenderking the importance of preserving Yemen’s unity and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Lenderking asserted Washington's support for the UN envoy for Yemen in his efforts to extend the truce beyond its expiry date on 2 October.

Shoukry and Lenderking also discussed the importance of resolving the issue of the FSO SAFER oil tanker that has been moored off Yemen’s Red Sea coast for 34 years to prevent ecological or navigational repercussions from any potentail sinking.