Cairo: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the ministers and heads of African delegations, alongside representatives from the African Union Commission and regional organizations, participating in the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. The event, hosted by Egypt, also saw the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that President El-Sisi commenced the meeting by welcoming the ministers and representatives of the participating delegations, delivering a speech on this occasion.
During an interactive dialogue with the participants, President El-Sisi expressed his pleasure in meeting them and voiced hope for a brighter future for the continent's people. He highlighted that Africa's abundant natural and human resources qualify it for a prominent global position. President El-Sisi pointed out that the continent's challenges are well known, emphasizing the importance of effectively managing and implementing necessary plans to overcome them.
President El-Sisi noted that some African countries possess a wealth of livestock, suggesting the establishment of an advanced meat industry to achieve self-sufficiency and facilitate exports. He also mentioned that Africa's rainfall and water resources exceed its needs if managed efficiently. However, he stressed that the lack of stability and security remains the biggest obstacle to attracting investments.
President El-Sisi urged for efforts to achieve security and stability, warning that their absence increases credit risks. He wished for stability, development, and prosperity for all African countries and peoples, emphasizing that stability should not come at the expense of another country's interests. He recalled that during Egypt's presidency of the African Union in 2019, the need for appropriate infrastructure in African countries was highlighted, especially in meetings with European and western leaders at international and regional forums.