El-Sisi made his statements in a recorded video message aired during the opening of the third edition of the two-day Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development that kicked off in Cairo on Tuesday.

The president noted that the forum comes amid serious challenges with significant political and economic repercussions on development.

“These challenges are being reflected on the African continent, mainly on its food security, energy security, health, economy and the social aspect as well. That confers on us the responsibility of helping our economies to be resilient against the external shocks,” said the president.

Touching upon the food crisis in Africa amid both the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, El-Sisi asserted the necessity of adopting a package of urgent and effective procedures in coordination with the international community and global partners to contain the impacts of this crisis and maintain the security of the African supply chains.

He also urged sustainable measures for supporting food security and the agriculture sector as well, stressing that the continent needs to raise its agricultural production, paving the way for self-efficiency amid the ongoing challenges of water scarcity, price hikes and climate change.

“Yet, other challenges must be dealt with; especially the stability of peace and security in the continent, protecting our countries from terrorism proliferation, weapon smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal immigration. All these challenges need innovative solutions to cope with and effective mechanisms to overcome,” the president also stated.

Talking about the UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27), which Egypt is set to host in November as the voice of Africa, El-Sisi expounded that Aswan Forum in its third edition is a unique opportunity to shed light on the climate change threat and its related impacts, which are linked with the peace and security issues in the continent as well.

The president also urged the international community to fulfil its pledges towards African countries, especially developing and the low-income countries, mainly for adaptation to climate change and doubling the finances dedicated to it.

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said that Aswan Forum mirrors the role Egypt plays in Africa for the sake of boosting its peace and development and reflects the importance Egypt attributes to reach practical solutions to the troubles the continent is suffering.

He added that Egypt’s efforts in this area are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030, Egypt’s Vision 2030, and the Africa We Need Agenda 2063.

“Amid the ongoing challenges, it is important for the continent to diversify its food resources, provide the security for the supply chains, and contain the price hikes through the national policies of each country in the continent. It is imperative also to contain the repercussions of the global tension and the rising energy prices with a comprehensive vision to fight terrorism and building a strong entities for that mission,” Shoukry also explained.

He added that Egypt, through hosting the anticipated COP27, will coordinate with all African countries to set a clear map for the sake of the climate action on the global and regional levels as well as enhancing the accesses to the financial resources for the African countries.

Egypt will also focus on the green recovery agenda and supporting Africa’s efforts to contain the impacts of the ongoing challenges, urging the international community to meet its obligations for the continent which is the least contributor to the climate change crisis, as Africa is responsible for only three percent of the global carbon emissions.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said in a recorded message that only two percent of the global investments in the renewables goes to Africa while it is the most affected area by the climate change crisis.

Guterres added that the continent needs investments in health, job creation, poverty reduction, boosting its growth and health systems, as the war in Ukraine along with the climate change and the COVID-19 have affected it severely.