In a powerful address at the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2024, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed the urgent need to restore trust and credibility in the international system. He highlighted its structural shortcomings, citing the challenges posed by occupation, hunger, terrorism, and injustice.
Represented by Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, President El-Sisi warned that it is time to “ring the alarm bells,” drawing attention to the ineffectiveness, double standards, and inequality that plague the international order.
On the global stage, Abdelatty called for significant reforms, advocating for the modernisation of multilateral financial institutions and greater representation within global organisations. He emphasised Egypt’s support for an expanded United Nations Security Council, including permanent seats for African nations, to ensure a more balanced distribution of power.
Addressing the climate crisis, Abdelatty urged the international community to link climate action with sufficient financial resources. He called for the full implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund and stressed the importance of aligning national development plans with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Egypt, he affirmed, remains committed to working with regional partners, particularly in the Nile Basin, to advance development initiatives.
However, Abdelatty expressed concern over Ethiopia’s management of the Renaissance Dam project, emphasising that the needs of downstream countries must be respected.
He also highlighted the growing global threats posed by cybercrime, artificial intelligence, and collective security challenges. Criticising the UN Security Council’s failure to resolve conflicts, he condemned the violations of nuclear non-proliferation treaties and reinforced the importance of maintaining peace and security, the UN’s core mission.
Abdelatty called for a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of conflicts, arguing that a more empowered United Nations is essential. He suggested that strengthening state institutions could help resolve political instability and prevent future crises.
Egypt, he affirmed, remains committed to collaborating with international partners to revitalise the multilateral system. Despite global challenges, Egypt continues to prioritise strengthening its human capital through a national dialogue focused on human rights and democracy.
On a hopeful note, Abdelatty expressed confidence in Egypt’s younger generation, stating: “Our young people will carry this vision forward. They will shape their future and safeguard human life without discrimination based on race, gender, or any other factor, all within a reformed multilateral system.”
President El-Sisi’s speech reaffirmed Egypt’s long-standing role as a significant player on the global stage, dedicated to promoting peace and advocating for the reform of outdated international institutions.
