Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry speaks during the inauguration of the Fourth Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Cairo, 2 July, 2024. Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry
During the opening ceremony, attended by Chair of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Shoukry highlighted that this year's edition comes at a critical time for the world amidst challenges, escalating conflicts, and humanitarian crises.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister also underscored the forum's role since its inception in 2019 during Egypt's presidency of the African Union, considering it a pioneering platform that addresses complex threats to Africa and fosters common strategies to tackle these challenges.
These strategies include supporting efforts towards preventing conflicts, peacebuilding, fostering the relationship between sustainable peace and development, and advancing partnerships based on principles such as national ownership, sovereignty, and mutual benefit, Shoukry emphasized.
Furthermore, he noted that the fourth edition of the forum coincides with the 20th anniversary of the African Peace and Security Council, and also with the upcoming "Summit of the Future" in New York, presenting an opportunity to rethink international order amidst worsening global peace and security challenges.
"Restructuring the global system has become more urgent than ever, aiming to build a new international system," Egypt's Foreign Minister stated. During the forum, Shoukry announced initiatives to strengthen African-led efforts in peace and security, including the launch of an African network to combat extremism and terrorism, promoting collaboration among relevant centers.
He also introduced the "Aswan Forum Award for Post-Conflict Reconstruction & Development," which honors exemplary African models contributing to peacebuilding, reflecting President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's leadership in post-conflict reconstruction and development within the African Union. "Egypt, as a peacemaking nation, remains committed to continuing its peace efforts and mediation, including the file of post-conflict reconstruction and development," Shoukry said.
Moreover, he highlighted various crises across Africa, stressing the importance of concerted regional and international efforts to enhance peace, security, and stability, affirming Egypt's support for African solutions to African problems, free from external interference that only results in further complications.
Regarding the crisis in Sudan, Egypt's top diplomat highlighted Cairo's efforts to halt the conflict, emphasizing that any viable political resolution must be driven by the Sudanese people, supported by effective regional and international institutions, without external interference.
He also underscored the necessity of addressing the root causes of the Sudanese crisis through a comprehensive political solution that safeguards the interests and capabilities of the Sudanese people.
The forum also featured high-level discussions on the current international landscape marked by ambiguity, geopolitical tensions, polarization, and double standards, where participants explored strategies to address shortcomings in global governance frameworks in confronting regional and global challenges.
Held under the auspices of President El-Sisi, the Fourth Aswan Forum, taking place on 2 and 3 July under the theme "Africa in a Changing World: Re-Envisioning Global Governance for Peace and Development," is bringing together high-level officials from the African Union and the United Nations.
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