Cairo: Today, via videoconference, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi chaired the 43rd session of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC). The meeting was attended by heads of state and government and representatives of African countries that are members of the Committee, as well as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the President of the African Development Bank, and the President of the African Export-Import Bank.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that President El-Sisi congratulated the President of the Republic of Angola, Joo Louren§o, on his selection as the new Chairperson of the NEPAD Orientation Committee.

The African leaders and officials participating in the meeting expressed their appreciation for President El-Sisi's efforts during his chairmanship of the Committee since February 2023, and for the successes achieved under Egypt's chairmanship.

The Angolan President, the new Chair of the Committee, looked forward to working closely with President El-Sisi to continue NEPAD's mission as the principal platform for development efforts across the African continent.

The meeting further included a presentation by the CEO of the NEPAD Agency of a report entitled 'The Agency's Transformation Journey', which reviewed the Agency's work over the past four years (2022-2026). In addition, the session discussed the progress achieved in the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI) in Africa.

President El-Sisi delivered the opening speech at the beginning of the virtual session.