President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said Saturday 16/10/2021 the coronavirus pandemic has provided an opportunity for African countries to enhance cooperation, especially in terms of highlighting the true goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Addressing the 3rd Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the African Union, the Regional Economic Committees and the Regional Mechanisms, Sisi hailed the event as the “main forum for discussing the integration state in Africa.”
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry delivered the speech on behalf of President Sisi, stressing Egypt’s keenness on following up progress achieved since Sisi chaired the first summit in July 2019.
The first summit has launched a path to develop the main references for continental and regional integration and paved the way for taking concrete steps in achieving Africa’s developmental agenda, Sisi said.
Egypt was completely engaged in those efforts by its contributions to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the AU COVID-19 Response Fund, as well as its continuous support to the African countries to enhance their capabilities and meet their needs, he added.
Sisi’s speech also focused on the pivotal role of the African Development Agency (NEPAD) in mobilizing resources to invest in the continental integration agenda. “The continental program for infrastructure development represents the most prominent cornerstone for achieving integration and is a fundamental pillar for activating the continental free trade zone.”
Source: State Information Service Egypt