New delhi: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty on Thursday, May 14, 2026, discussed with South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola ways to foster bilateral relations and address issues of common concern. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers' gathering in New Delhi.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty praised the growing momentum in relations between the two countries, highlighting Egypt's interest in boosting collaboration in the areas of energy and transport. The top Egyptian diplomat stressed the need to activate the Egypt-South Africa Business Council to serve as a key driver for collaboration between the two countries. The Egyptian foreign minister also underscored the importance of intensifying cooperation between Egyptian and South African companies to enhance trade exchange and implement joint projects.
Abdelatty referred to ongoing preparations for the Alamein Africa Forum, scheduled to be held in the city of El Alamein next June on the sidelines of the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit. In this regard, he expressed hope for the participation of major South African companies in the forum, which will witness meetings among African companies, financing institutions, and officials from participating countries.
Regarding current regional developments, Abdelatty affirmed Egypt's interest in continuing coordination and consultation with member states on various regional and international issues of common concern, whether in Africa or the Middle East. He stressed the importance of preserving the unity and cohesion of BRICS and shielding the group from any negative repercussions stemming from regional crises, in a way that ensures sufficient space for advancing the bloc's shared objectives and enhancing its role as a platform for economic and developmental cooperation among member states.
On developments related to the Palestinian issue, Abdelatty praised South Africa's supportive stance toward Palestinian rights, underlining the significance of completing the implementation of the second phase of the US president's peace plan for Gaza and ensuring the unrestricted flow of humanitarian, relief, and medical aid to help alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people. In the same context, the two ministers exchanged views on ways to promote peace, security, and development across the African continent, particularly in the Horn of Africa and with regard to the situation in Sudan.
The two sides agreed to continue coordination in regional and international forums in a manner that serves the common interests and aspirations of the two countries' peoples.