Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty receives Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States Abdallah Al Dardari in Cairo. Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry
During a meeting with Abdallah Al Dardari, the director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, Abdelatty expressed hope for an increase in their contributions to Egypt.
In this regard, the Egyptian top diplomat highlighted the burdens borne by the country, including hosting large numbers of refugees, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
He highlighted the efforts made by the state to address these challenges by implementing an economic reform programme, developing national policies, attracting foreign investments, and increasing production.
This is in addition to launching numerous development projects aimed at creating job opportunities, thus contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the Egyptian government's priorities, the statement noted.
Regional crises
During the meeting, Abdelatty also addressed the political, security, and economic challenges faced by the region, highlighting Egypt’s pivotal role in promoting regional stability and supporting UN efforts to achieve sustainable development in the Arab region.
Both sides also discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli aggression and its expansion to Lebanon.
The Egyptian FM outlined Cairo's efforts to contain the current situation and mitigate the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians.
He stressed the importance of the role of the UN and its various bodies, especially the developmental and humanitarian ones, in alleviating the humanitarian crises amid this brutal aggression.
Meeting Qatari official
According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, Abdelatty also held a separate meeting with the Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater.
The Egyptian FM affirmed the close coordination between the two nations on the Gaza crisis, praising Qatar's ongoing support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Both ministers also discussed joint efforts to reach a ceasefire and the exchange of captives and prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
They reaffirmed their steadfast support for the Palestinian cause, stressing the necessity to achieve a comprehensive and just solution that leads to establishing an independent Palestinian state.
During the meeting, Abdelatty said that the halt in the flow of humanitarian aid through the Rafah border crossing is due to Israeli military control over the Palestinian side of the crossing, which has prevented UN agencies and humanitarian and relief organizations from operating within the crossing.
He also affirmed Egypt’s commitment to the security and sovereignty of Lebanon and its full rejection of continued Israeli attacks, pointing to the severity of the worsening refugee crisis and the importance of joint efforts to help resolve and contain it, including increasing humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people.
Abdelatty's meetings come amid the rising tensions in the region following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by the Israeli forces in Gaza and the ongoing brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon and threats to attack Tehran, raising fears of a full-scale war.
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