Speaking at the opening of the Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition (EGYPES 2026) in Cairo, El-Sisi said, "No one but President Trump could halt the war," appealing to him, “In my name, In the name of humanity, and lovers of peace… please help us stop this war… You are capable of that.”
The Egyptian leader's remarks come as the escalating conflict in the Middle East, starting with the US-Israel war on Iran, and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Arab Gulf countries, disrupts regional energy flows and supply chains, leading to skyrocketing oil prices and inflationary pressures globally.
President El-Sisi said the current conflict is the most disruptive to the sector since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, and the war in Gaza.
He described the situation as the largest energy crisis in modern history, warning of a “dual shock” of supply shortages and rising prices that could drive up fuel, fertilizer, and agricultural costs, particularly in developing economies.
“The continuation of war will have dangerous repercussions on the global economy,” El-Sisi said, stressing that conflicts ultimately result only in “loss and destruction,” with no winners.
The conference, held from 30 March to 1 April at Al-Manara International Conference Centre and the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo, brought together high-level international participants led by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, alongside senior Egyptian officials and executives from major global energy companies.
In his address, President El-Sisi underscored that any disruption or suspension of energy activity could take years to reverse, thanking international partners for their cooperation and reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to settle all outstanding dues to foreign energy companies, estimated at $1.3 billion, by June 2026.
He also highlighted expanding cooperation with Cyprus and the European Union, including efforts to bring Cypriot gas fields into global markets through Egyptian liquefaction facilities, reinforcing Egypt’s position as a regional energy hub.
The presidency spokesman, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the opening ceremony featured speeches by Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi and Apache Corporation CEO John Christmann, as well as a recorded address by Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi, and remarks by European Commission Director-General for Energy Ditte Juul Jørgensen.
For his part, President Christodoulides praised Egypt’s role and highlighted strong bilateral ties, particularly in energy, welcoming the signing of a framework agreement on natural gas cooperation between the two countries during the event.
Earlier, El-Sisi and the Cypriot president held talks focused on strengthening cooperation, with Egypt seeking to elevate relations to a strategic partnership.
They also reviewed regional developments, with El-Sisi reiterating Egypt’s condemnation of attacks on Arab states and outlining Cairo’s efforts to de-escalate tensions and return to diplomacy.
El-Sisi also called on energy companies participating in the conference to intensify efforts to increase production, including in renewable energy, to help mitigate the impact of the current crisis.
Egypt has positioned itself as a central diplomatic actor in efforts to contain the current regional escalation, leveraging its longstanding role as a mediator in Middle East crises and its ties with both Western and regional powers.
Since the outbreak of the Iran war, Cairo has intensified high-level diplomatic contacts aimed at de-escalation and finding a peaceful solution to end the conflict.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has held meetings, including a quadrilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Islamabad, and a series of calls with key international counterparts to revive political dialogue and prevent further military escalation.
European officials have publicly expressed confidence in Egypt’s mediation role, particularly given its track record in managing crises, such as the Gaza crisis.
Egypt has also been exploring indirect channels to reduce tensions between major actors, including efforts to facilitate renewed communication between the United States and Iran.
Officials have repeatedly stressed the need for negotiated solutions and warned of the broader implications of continued escalation on global energy security, supply chains, and economic stability.
Regionally, Cairo has maintained close coordination with Gulf states and other Arab partners, emphasizing the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and safeguarding energy infrastructure amid rising risks in the Gulf.
Overall, Egypt’s approach combines bilateral outreach, multilateral coordination, and backchannel diplomacy, aiming to contain the conflict while mitigating its spillover effects on regional security and the global economy.
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