Cairo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates organized a ceremony to honor retired diplomats in recognition of their prominent contributions in boosting Egyptian diplomacy and defending national interests at regional and international forums.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the ceremony, held on Saturday evening, is part of the ministry's commitment to acknowledging the pivotal role Egyptian diplomats have played over the years in enhancing Egypt's regional and international position. Attendees included former foreign ministers Sameh Shoukry, Mohamed Kamel Amr, Mohamed el Orabi, and political analyst Mostafa el Feki.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty addressed the ceremony, emphasizing that the efforts, ideas, and initiatives of the honored ambassadors are integral to the history of Egyptian diplomacy. He highlighted their years of representing Egypt and defending its interests, calling it a national duty. Abdelatty noted their role in navigating significant regional and international transformations and consistently serving as the first line of defense for Egypt's interests.
Abdelatty underscored that the accumulated experience of retired ambassadors in negotiation and crisis management is a strategic asset for the state. He stated that younger diplomats build on the foundations established by earlier generations and that the direct transfer of experience is both a professional necessity and an institutional imperative.
The minister also highlighted the unprecedented global instability and the decline in the effectiveness of international institutions, along with serious regional challenges facing Egypt. These conditions, he said, require adherence to core principles combined with flexibility in action. Abdelatty expressed the ministry's interest in leveraging the expertise and judgment of retired ambassadors through their contributions to think tanks, participation in public debate, or suggestions aiming at enhancing the ministry's performance and its missions abroad, thereby strengthening their ability to respond to rapid international changes.