Ashraf AboArafe
The Minister of Foreign Affairs gave a speach at the summit of non-alignment as follows:
January 19 and 20, 2024
His Excellency Mr. Yoweri Museveni, President of the sisterly Republic of Uganda,
Chairman of the Non-Aligned Summit,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Heads of State and Government,
I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Uganda for its warm reception and good organization. I also extend my thanks to the Republic of Azerbaijan for its appreciated efforts in chairing the movement during the past four years.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the face of the increasing political and economic challenges facing developing countries, there is a need to strengthen the role of the Non-Aligned Movement and revive the Bandung Principles, which Egypt was the first to establish and safeguard, especially respect for international law, the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and commitment to the purposes and objectives of the United Nations Charter. To establish a stable world based on international solidarity and common prosperity.
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It is no secret to you that we are meeting at a time when a number of the movement’s members are facing a direct threat to their security and stability… and even their survival… as the Middle East region is witnessing a widespread crisis, as a result of Israel’s continued brutal aggression against the Gaza Strip, which has so far left more than 22 A thousand martyrs, most of them women and children… The destruction reached an unprecedented extent, from which medical and humanitarian facilities, basic infrastructure, and places of worship were not spared. Israel targeted medical and humanitarian workers, United Nations employees, and journalists.
These violations have led to the displacement of more than 1.6 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in the face of Israeli practices that impose a siege and starvation, obstruct humanitarian aid, and continue to violate international law and international humanitarian law.
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Hence, Egypt calls for the Non-Aligned Movement to adhere to its historical positions to denounce the illegal Israeli practices, and to reject the displacement of the Palestinian people and the liquidation of their cause. Egypt affirms that peace and stability will not be achieved in the Middle East except by ending the occupation, Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on The lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
At the level of our African continent, Egypt affirms its solidarity with the Sudanese state and all segments of the brotherly Sudanese people, and expresses its deep concern about the continuation of military confrontations, and renews its call to all parties to uphold the interests of Sudan, adhere to the ceasefire, and resort to dialogue… and based on its keenness to spare the blood of the people. Sudan and to alleviate its human suffering. Egypt has received more than 350,000 Sudanese brothers since the beginning of the crisis. It has also launched a mechanism for Sudan’s neighboring countries to support the Sudanese national vision and ownership to resolve the crisis.
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Egypt stresses its full support for the territorial integrity of the sisterly Federal Republic of Somalia, and the sovereignty of Somalia over its entire territory. Egypt strongly denounces any unilateral measures taken by any regional party to threaten the unity and safety of Somalia. It also confirms its decisive opposition to any measures that would infringe on the sovereignty and right of Somalia – exclusively – In benefiting from its resources, we warn against moves that undermine stability in the Horn of Africa region and increase tensions between its countries, and we call for concerted efforts to contain the region’s crises, instead of continuing the policy of irresponsibly fueling conflicts.
Egypt notes that the African Sahel region faces the dangers of terrorism and the threat to food security… in addition to climate change and water scarcity, especially in Egypt, which requires enhancing the spirit of cooperation and respecting the rules of international law for cross-border waterways, instead of following unilateral measures that do not It takes into account the economic, social and environmental impacts on all parties, which threaten regional stability.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
Developing countries are facing increasing economic burdens, especially those related to the debt crisis and the worsening deficit in public budgets, which makes it necessary for developed countries to be more responsive to the demands of exchanging debts and converting some of them into joint development projects that contribute to advancing economic recovery and promoting comprehensive and sustainable growth, in addition to working To push international financial institutions to support and support the efforts of developing countries.
Egypt affirms the pivotal role of the Non-Aligned Movement in continuing to mobilize efforts to achieve economic recovery in the movement’s countries, and perhaps holding our meeting today – one day before the third South Summit here in Kampala – represents an opportunity to strengthen coordination to come up with a clear action plan that contributes to accelerating the pace of growth in the countries. developing countries and achieving the sustainable development goals before 2030.
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We call for building on the success of the COP27 and COP28 conferences of the parties, which were held in two member states of the movement, and which contributed to advancing the international climate agenda and enhancing the concept of climate justice, at a time when the impact of climate crises and their negative repercussions on developing countries is increasing… We particularly welcome the activation of the Loss and Damage Fund. Which was approved at the COP27 climate summit and was activated at COP28. We value the launch of the Just Transition Action Program, and we call on all parties to fulfill their obligations contained in the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement and to activate the agreed upon principles, most notably shared responsibility with differentiated burdens, and fairness.
In conclusion, I reiterate my appreciation to the sister Republic of Uganda, and I am confident of its success in leading the movement efficiently and competently to achieve the aspirations of our peoples towards a more secure, stable and prosperous world.
Thank you.
