Shoukry’s remarks came as he received the African ambassadors in Cairo on the occasion of Africa Day, due to be celebrated on 25 May.

This year’s celebration also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

Abu-Zeid added that Shoukry met with the ambassadors ahead of the celebration to express congratulations.

The founding fathers of the OAU made great progress in promoting self-governance, peace, security, and development in Africa, stated Shoukry according to the statement.

In 2002, the OAU developed into the African Union (AU) after many African nations declared in 1999 that the time had come for a new organization to replace the OAU.

The unity of African countries remains central to overcoming any challenges these countries may face, Shoukry asserted, shedding light on current geopolitical tensions as well as other crises.

He went on to say that the coronavirus, the war in Ukraine, and the energy and climate crisis have all had an adverse impact on Africa, stressing that the continent has been hardly hit too by lack of food security, inflation, and debt.

Hence, Africa Day provides the chance for African countries to reaffirm their bonds of fellowship and foster solidarity and cooperation as they strive to achieve their goals and improve the lives of their people, the statement cited the Egyptian foreign minister as saying.  

Furthermore, Shoukry affirmed Egypt’s keenness to strengthen and increase cooperation with international partners as well as financing institutions.

Such cooperation aims to decrease the financing gap for development projects in Africa, reduce debt, and implement the continent's 2063 agenda.

Egypt will spare no effort to safeguard Africa’s interests, Shoukry noted, highlighting Egypt’s position as a founding member of the OAU.

The Egyptian foreign minister concluded by saying that Egypt wishes to continue to support its “brotherly” African countries and collaborate with them on establishing a free trade zone in the region.