Sisi advocates comprehensive approach to global challenges at G20 Summit in India

Ahram Online , Saturday 9 Sep 2023

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called for a comprehensive approach to tackle global challenges and achieve shared goals, in his speech at the opening session of the G20 summit held in India on Saturday.

Sisi

 

El-Sisi emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation based on the UN Charter and international law to achieve common interests.

"We must work together to shape a future order that is based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and that maximizes the role of international institutions in responding effectively to crises and challenges," said the president.

G20 leaders are meeting for a two-day summit in the Indian capital New Delhi, under the theme “One Earth · One Family · One Future”.

El-Sisi highlighted the crucial role of the G20 in addressing global financial imbalances and finding sustainable solutions to structural issues for developing countries.

These solutions include addressing growing debt challenges, re-evaluating the effectiveness of development aid, and bridging finance gaps for sustainable development and a transition to a low-carbon economy.

He also discussed Egypt's commitment to promoting African development, especially through its leadership of the African Union's New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Egypt is actively working towards African integration via the African Continental Free Trade Area, as part of the AU's development agenda.

El-Sisi also noted Egypt's commitment to addressing the global threat of climate change. He recalled how Egypt hosted the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh last November, where it introduced to the agenda the concept of a just transition to a green economy, and called for the creation of a fund to address climate losses and damages.

According to El-Sisi, all parties must fulfill their "common but differentiated responsibilities" in a spirit of "equity." Following through on collective decisions is crucial to maintaining trust and the efficacy of the multilateral framework, he added.

On Saturday, the Summit failed to commit to a phase-out of polluting fossil fuels, a requirement deemed "indispensable" just a day earlier by the United Nations to achieve a net-zero goal.

In addressing the energy crisis, Egypt announced the launch of an international forum for financing green hydrogen projects. The country aims to position itself as a regional energy hub through initiatives like the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum.

El-Sisi also discussed efforts to combat food crises, announcing Egypt's ambition to host a global center for grain storage and trade.

"We look forward to our summit contributing to addressing challenges that hinder economic recovery and sustainable development," El-Sisi said.

Sideline meetings
 

On the sidelines of the G20 summit, the Egyptian president discussed current developments and impacts of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis in a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel.

Michel commended Egypt's efforts in mediating regional crises, managing illegal migration, and hosting a significant number of refugees.

El-Sisi also held sideline meetings with other attending leaders from the European Commission, South Africa, Comoros, Brazil, Japan, China, and the World Health Organization.

Egypt's president arrived in India on Friday to participate in the 18th G20 summit, having previously attended the 2016 G20 summit in China, and the 2019 summit in Japan.

Short link: