President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi speaks during the 5th edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development. Photo: Egyptian presidency.
In a recorded message to the opening of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development on Sunday, El-Sisi said double standards and weak responses to conflicts and debt burdens have deepened inequality, with Africa among the most affected regions.
“The international community continues to fall short in addressing major humanitarian crises, as well as in providing adequate support to developing nations, particularly in debt relief and climate finance,” he said.
El-Sisi said these global imbalances have intensified competition over resources and worsened instability across the continent, while external interventions and terrorism further undermine African sovereignty and development.
Despite the challenges, he argued that Africa has the capacity and resources to lead in restoring global credibility and building a fairer, more cooperative world order.
El-Sisi said that this year’s forum, held on 19–20 October in Aswan under the theme A World in Flux, A Continent in Motion, focuses on emerging security threats, post-conflict reconstruction, and investment in infrastructure and strategic trade corridors.
The forum, he added, will highlight the roles of women and youth as the continent marks the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and the 10th anniversary of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.
El-Sisi said Egypt remains committed to leading post-conflict reconstruction within the African Union (AU), aligning with the AU’s updated framework for sustainable development.
Launched in 2019 during Egypt’s AU presidency, the Aswan Forum has become a leading African-led platform linking peace, security, and development policy.
Recognized by the AU Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) as a reference point for the continent’s recovery and resilience efforts, the forum brings together governments, regional organizations, and private-sector partners to turn dialogue into concrete action.
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