In his address, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi declared the Strategic Command headquarters officially open, describing it as "a landmark for the great people of Egypt" that embodies the country's role as "a force for peace and stability."
He said the new facility strengthens integrated planning and coordination across the Armed Forces while enhancing combat readiness through advanced technologies to safeguard Egypt's strategic interests.
El-Sisi described the inauguration as "a living embodiment of the New Republic," stressing that "Egypt's borders are a red line protected by the will of its people" and that "protecting the homeland is a responsibility that tolerates no negligence."
He added that the Strategic Command headquarters would stand as "a lasting testament to the will of a nation that knows no impossible."
The president also reaffirmed that the state "will never allow any harm to befall the capabilities of its people," describing the 30 June Revolution as "a cry for justice" that demonstrated Egyptians' determination to protect their state and secure its future despite mounting challenges.
At the start of his speech, President El-Sisi congratulated Egyptians on the national football team's World Cup campaign, saying: "I extend my greetings and congratulations to the Egyptian people on the success of the national team in the World Cup. It is a beautiful day, and may God continue to bless us."
Before delivering his remarks, he also ordered the playing of the "Martyrs' Salute," describing the occasion as "one of the days in Egypt's history that we will never forget."
El-Sisi said the Strategic Command Headquarters represents "a qualitative leap" for the state thanks to its advanced information infrastructure, describing the facility as a key component of Egypt's modern military command system.
The Palestinian cause
President El-Sisi said Egypt's long-standing experience in regional affairs, including being "the first country to conclude a peace agreement with Israel at a time when hostility was deeply entrenched," had shaped its vision for resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
He reiterated that "the fundamental solution to the region's conflicts lies in achieving a comprehensive and just peace" that resolves the Palestinian issue through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy.
"There can be no lasting peace, no genuine stability, and no popular normalisation without a just peace that ends the occupation, puts an end to injustice and aggression, restores rights to their owners, guarantees security for all, and gives the peoples of the region the opportunity to live in prosperity while opening a new era of cooperation and development," El-Sisi said.
The president said Egypt had consistently sought "to spare bloodshed throughout the crises that have affected the region."
He expressed appreciation for US President Donald Trump's peace efforts, which he said had led to the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement to end the Israeli war in Gaza and as well as the agreement that halted the conflict with Iran.
On this note, El-Sisi stressed the need to support both agreements and ensure their full implementation, calling for efforts to prevent "any attempts to undermine, circumvent, or obstruct" them.
30 June Revolution
The president also said the 30 June Revolution affirmed that "Egypt can only be governed by its own sons," stressing that the state "will never allow any harm to befall the capabilities of its people."
He added that Egypt is "working with determination to build the modern state, a process that requires sacrifices from everyone," and pledged that the country would continue "with unwavering resolve" to pursue its path of development.
El-Sisi said improving citizens' living standards would remain among the government's top priorities, announcing the preparation of a national programme to reduce economic burdens on Egyptians.
El-Sisi said Egypt had successfully overcome the turbulent period following the 2011 uprising, stressing the importance of remembering the events that led to the 30 June Revolution. "It is very important that we recall, in some detail, the events from 2011 to 30 June," he said, adding that "God's will protected Egypt from destruction and chaos."
He also said that divine guidance had played a role in preserving the country during that period. "God inspired the people to take to the streets and inspired us to make decisions that protected our country and safeguarded it from those who sought to harm it," he said.
El-Sisi explained that he frequently remarks back to the events of 2011 because the period continues to offer important lessons for Egypt.
"Some people ask why I still talk about 2011 after 15 years," he said. "I do so because God protected Egypt, while other countries in the region that faced similar circumstances are still suffering from their consequences today."
El-Sisi said the economic cost of the turmoil remained significant, noting that the US dollar had risen from around EGP 6 in 2011 to about EGP 50 today. He said the events had cost the state approximately $450 billion, adding, "We are all paying the price."
The New Capital
President El-Sisi said the establishment of the Egyptian Strategic Command headquarters and the relocation of key state institutions to the New Capital were intended to protect the state's ability to function during crises, citing the siege of several government institutions during the unrest that followed the 2011 uprising.
El-Sisi said the new command centre was created to ensure effective crisis management under pressure. "This Strategic Command is meant to manage crises, whatever they may be," he said, warning that decisions taken under extreme pressure and fear "can sometimes lead to great damage and destruction."
The president recalled that the Supreme Constitutional Court, the Cabinet headquarters, the Ministry of Defence, and Media Production City had all come under pressure or siege during that period.
"The state had to move out of the capital so that this would never happen again," he said, adding that "those who seek to harm Egypt and terrorists will not stop," making it necessary for the country to strengthen its institutions and preparedness.
El-Sisi said the New Capital, which houses major state institutions alongside the Strategic Command headquarters, was conceived to ensure the continuity of state institutions and prevent similar disruptions in the future.
President El-Sisi noted Egypt's fight against terrorism, which began in 2012, had cost the country "tens and hundreds of billions of pounds" in addition to the lives of military personnel and civilians, with attacks targeting Muslims, Christians, mosques, churches, and state institutions.
He said recalling those events was necessary "to draw lessons so that such mistakes are never repeated, and our country's flag always remains raised."
The president urged public officials, media professionals, intellectuals, and young people to recognize "the seriousness of any action that could worsen people's conditions rather than improve them."
He also called on state officials to communicate more openly with the public, saying, "Speak to people with complete clarity. Do not be hesitant."
The future
President El-Sisi announced that Egypt will soon witness the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for the second unit of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, describing the project as "one of the most prominent outcomes of the strategic partnership with Russia."
El-Sisi said the milestone would mark further progress in the implementation of Egypt's first nuclear power plant, and extended thanks to the Russian leadership for co-constructing the project with the country.
President El-Sisi directed the government to prepare a national programme for local council elections, expand space for political parties and political dialogue, and adopt tougher measures to combat corruption, while calling on officials to strengthen direct communication with citizens.
He stressed Egypt is "working with all its strength, determination and resolve to build the modern state," describing the process as a long-term national effort that requires sacrifices and sustained commitment from all segments of society.
El-Sisi noted that unity and hard work remain "the only path to progress," warning that the alternative is "stagnation and decline" in a region marked by growing challenges and competing interests.
Overcoming challenges
The president said Egypt has faced a succession of exceptional crises, beginning with the period between 2011 and 2014, followed by the fight against terrorism, the COVID-19 pandemic, the repercussions of the war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza, and most recently the conflict involving Iran.
He said these developments imposed heavy economic costs on Egypt, including losses exceeding $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on shipping in the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, in addition to rising energy and food prices, supply chain disruptions, and the arrival of millions of displaced people.
Despite these challenges, El-Sisi said, "Egypt has remained, and will continue to remain, a safe and stable haven in a turbulent region," adding that Cairo has worked tirelessly to end conflicts, reduce escalation, and "spare bloodshed" across the region.
President El-Sisi said the 30 June Revolution was "a revolution against terrorism and extremism" as well as "a revolution for construction and modernisation."
He described it as "a people's revolution" to realize the dream of establishing the New Republic—"a modern Egypt that is industrial, agricultural, advanced, attractive to investment, and a leader in education, healthcare and public services, with qualified national cadres."
El-Sisi said Egyptians aspired to build "a state worthy of Egypt's ancient history and the place it deserves among nations."
The president added that from his first day in office, he rejected delaying development efforts and instead pursued national development alongside the fight against terrorism.
"Our goal was for Egypt to continue moving toward the future without delay and to make up for some of what it had missed on the path of progress," he said.
The president concluded by reaffirming that Egypt would continue "with unwavering determination and unbreakable resolve" to pursue its path of development and consolidate the foundations of the modern state as "an irreversible strategic choice."
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