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It is all systems depart for the start of the 15th BRICS Summit

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It is all systems go for the start of the 15th BRICS Summit

By Michael Currin

It is Women’s Month and Government is delighted to be hosting an important group of leading emerging markets and developing countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa for the 15th edition of the BRICS Summit. Together BRICS has around 42% of the world's population, 27% of global GDP and around 20% of international trade.

It is our third time hosting this important event as a country and South Africa is privileged to be the chair of BRICS this year.

Our theme is "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism." This theme reflects our vision of BRICS providing global leadership in addressing the needs and concerns of the majority of the world, namely beneficial economic growth, sustainable development and inclusion of the global South in multilateral systems.

This theme also reflects our belief in the benefits a partnership with Africa can bring to BRICS, with our partners eager to explore opportunities to support, and benefit from, operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Since January 2023, we have held a large number of meetings across all three pillars of cooperation, namely:

1. Political and security,

2. Economic and financial; and

3. Social and people-to-people cooperation.

GCIS has supported various Ministerial meetings held to precede BRICS across all provinces. Our Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni hosted a Friends of BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting with her BRICS Security counterparts, in Sandton, on 24 July 2023.

The Friends of BRICS is a combination of countries who have expressed an interest in joining BRICS, those who chair prominent institutions of the Global South and those invited as per the Chair’s prerogative and henceforth invited as per the consensus reached between the host and fellow BRICS members. The Friends of BRICS countries who attended this meeting are Belarus, Burundi, Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Various other meetings took place headed by various Ministers such as the BRICS Foreign Ministers, the BRICS Civil Forum, BRICS Ministers of Communication, the BRICS Youth Forum, the BRICS Urbanisation, BRICS Ministers of Health, and BRICS Ministers of Science and Innovation have all concluded their meetings.

Cabinet has encouraged BRICS meetings to be held in different towns and cities so that our guests have a wide range of experience of our beautiful country. It is also important that the tangible economic benefits of hosting our BRICS partners are experienced in a variety of communities.

All these activities build up to the XVth BRICS Summit which will provide an opportunity for BRICS Leaders to reflect on all the elements of BRICS cooperation. The XVth BRICS Summit will also provide an opportunity to amplify the voices of our friends in Africa and the global South with the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogues.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa’s readiness to host the XVth BRICS Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg and we are running a countdown to hype the upcoming activities of the Summit. South Africa Chairs BRICS in a dynamic global environment where the eyes of the world are on us.

Leading up to the Summit, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the BRICS Business Council will be hosting a content-rich BRICS Business Programme from 19 to 23 August which seeks to foster economic growth, promote collaboration, attract investment, and showcase opportunities within South Africa, Africa and BRICS countries.

All the BRICS Business Councils are bringing large business delegations to South Africa. As an outcome of South Africa's Chairing of BRICS in 2013, the BRICS Business Council celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2023 and we look forward to the celebrations as well as the outcomes of the review of the work of the Council in its first ten years.

The BRICS Summit programme

The first event on the BRICS Leaders' programme is the BRICS Business Forum Leaders Dialogue on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 August. The Leaders will get a report on the outcomes of the deliberations during the BRICS Business Forum and will deliver statements reflecting on BRICS economic relations.

Following the Business Forum, the Leaders move to a quieter venue for the BRICS Leaders Retreat. This is a signature event of South Africa as BRICS Chair. Leaders meet in a comfortable setting in a private venue for an unscripted discussion of contemporary issues of importance. There is no set agenda and Leaders can initiate a discussion on issues of choice such as BRICS membership expansion, reform of global governance, or use of local currencies.

On 23 August, the XVth BRICS Summit continues with a closed plenary followed by an open plenary session.

The BRICS Leaders will deliver national statements which will be followed by reports by the President of the New Development Bank, the South African Chair of the BRICS Business Council and the South African Chair of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance.

It is befitting during Women’s month to re-emphasise my focus on the BRICS Women's Business (WBA) Alliance. This will be the first in-person engagement with BRICS Leaders as it was established in 2020 under the Chairship of Russia during the height of the pandemic. This Alliance aims to empower and advance women entrepreneurs in BRICS to create a vibrant network in partnership with others that facilitates knowledge-sharing, skills development, and business opportunities for women across diverse sectors and industries.

Their flagship meeting is the BRICS-Africa WBA Trade Conference to be held in Durban from 20 to 21 August which brings together over 500 women-owned businesses, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, from BRICS and Africa. The conference will include the first in-person joint meeting of BRICS WBA national chapters and develop recommendations to be presented to BRICS Leaders at the Summit.

Following the reports from the New Development Bank, BRICS Business Council and the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, the Summit is expected to adopt the eGoli Declaration as the main outcome document of the 2023 BRICS Leaders’ Summit.

South Africa is also pleased to welcome the first meeting of Ministers responsible for Women Affairs as an important step in mainstreaming women's issues across all areas of BRICS cooperation.

This is also a concrete step forward in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. As a partnership, BRICS operates on the principles of openness, solidarity, mutual respect and understanding as well as mutually beneficial cooperation that is seen to deliver tangible benefits.

The XVth BRICS Summit is the venue and occasion for the voices of BRICS, Africa and the global South to converge and be heard. We meet to reflect on the status of cooperation, to consider regional and global developments and to assess the status of global governance reform.

The Summit is not the final event of South Africa as Chair of BRICS. We continue our programme of mutually beneficial cooperation until the end of 2023.

We look forward to further meetings including the Ministers for Disaster Management, Ministers of Tourism, possible Ministers of Transport meeting, the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the Foreign Policy Dialogue, Young Diplomats and the first workshop on incident management later in the year. We particularly look forward to the return of the BRICS Games in October.

We are confident that we will leave 2023 having strengthened the BRICS partnership and having delivered benefits to the people of South Africa, BRICS, Africa and the global South.

Government calls on South Africans to continue to extend the warmest of South African welcomes to the many official delegates, businesspeople, media and civil society who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the world shortly for the Summit.

*Michael Currin is the Deputy Director-General of Intergovernmental Coordination and  Stakeholder Management (ICSM) at Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

 

Janine
Tue, 08/15/2023 - 09:39

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Leaders of African Peace Initiative makes pace 

Location: News

Leaders of African Peace Initiative makes progress 

The Leaders of the African Peace Initiative have recognised progress achieved since the proposals discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin at their first meeting on 17 June 2023 in St. Petersburg. 

The leaders made proposals on humanitarian issues, in particular, related to the rights of children in areas of armed activities and prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, and agreed that humanitarian efforts would continue to bring further results.

The seven African leaders issued a joint Statement on Thursday following the engagement between them and the President of the Russian Federation on 28 July in St. Petersburg, in the Russian Federation.

At that engagement last week, the leaders continued their discussion on the African Peace Initiative, which they started on 17 June 2023.

“The Leaders recognised progress achieved since then on proposals they discussed at the first meeting on 17 June 2023 on humanitarian issues, in particular, related to the rights of children in areas of armed activities and prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, and agreed that humanitarian efforts would continue to bring further results.

“The Leaders called for specific steps to remove obstacles to Russian grain and fertilizer exports, thus allowing the resumption of the full implementation of the Black Sea package initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General as endorsed on 22 July 2022 in Istanbul,” the statement read. 

The leaders further called upon the United Nations to take necessary action in order to release 200 000 tons of Russian fertilizer blocked in European Union seaports for immediate and free delivery to African countries.

The leaders have agreed to continue their dialogue on the African Peace Initiative so that a door to peace can be opened. 

African Leaders attending the meeting on 28 July 2023 were:

- President Azali Assoumani of the Comoros in his capacity as Chair of the African Union;
- President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa;
- President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo;
- President Abdel Fattah-el Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt;
- President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal;
- President Yoweri  Museveni of the Republic of Uganda;
- Foreign Minister of Zambia, Stanley  Kakubo.

Advancing SA's international interests 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit Declaration that included cooperation in a number of strategic areas, including Science and Technology, Energy, Trade and Investments, and Defense and Security Cooperation. 

This after he concluded a successful working visit to the Russian Federation where, together with Leaders of African countries, a clear call for tangible and mutually beneficial and effective cooperation between Russia and the countries of the African Continent was made, during the summit which took place in the country's cultural capital, St. Petersburg.

President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of a monitoring and evaluation mechanism that will assess the level and pace of implementation of the Summit commitments. 

He concluded his working visit to Russia with a meeting at the Konstantinovsky Palace where the two Presidents discussed South Africa and Russia’s bilateral relationship, which is built on strategic partnerships in several areas of cooperation, including energy, industry, and agriculture. 

“The discussions further sought to strengthen the two countries’ cooperation in the areas of education, science and technology, with a particular focus on space and satellite technology development,” Magwenya said.

Telephone call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Meanwhile on Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone discussion with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.

The Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation for the 600 South African firefighters that demonstrated excellence and diligence during their support in extinguishing the wild fires that ravaged parts of Canada. 

“In turn, Prime Minister Trudeau offered Canada’s support in the event South Africa experiences any form of disaster in the near future. 

“The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for South Africa’s contribution to the African Peace Initiative to Russia and Ukraine, and committed his support to search for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Both leaders agreed to continue their bilateral cooperation and to further collaborate in 2025, when Canada hosts the G7 summit, while South Africa will be hosting the G20,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za 

DikelediM
Fri, 08/04/2023 - 10:54

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President El-Sisi Chats to Cyril

Location: News

The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt
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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Paris, on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact.

The Spokesman for the Presidency stated that President El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's keenness to develop its relations with South Africa in various fields, especially in light of the distinguished relations between the two countries. The president stressed the importance of making best use of the two countries' potentials with the aim of activating bilateral cooperation frameworks in various sectors, especially in terms of trade exchange. This would help achieve common interests and contribute to advancing the development process in the African continent.

President Ramaphosa praised the close relations between the two brotherly countries, noting his country's keenness to activate and develop bilateral cooperation with Egypt. He expressed his appreciation for the active Egyptian role in the African arena and the Egyptian efforts made in this regard which would achieve the aspirations of the peoples of the continent.

The Spokesman added that the meeting discussed various regional files of common concern and ways to enhance efforts to settle existing conflicts and crises in various parts of the African continent, especially the crisis in Sudan. It also discussed prospects for strengthening economic and development cooperation and increasing trade exchange between African countries.

During the meeting, the two presidents discussed the results of the recent visits of a number of African heads of state and government, including Egypt and South Africa, to Russia and Ukraine, within the framework of the African initiative to mediate the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. The two presidents agreed on the importance of making further efforts to contain this crisis and overcome its grave humanitarian and economic repercussions that affected the whole world so as to arrive at a peaceful settlement, in an effort to restore international stability and security.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt.

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Efforts to Develop Egypt’s Mineral Resources Continue

Location: News

The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt
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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla, Minister of Public Enterprise Sector Mahmoud Esmat, Director General of the National Service Projects Organization of the Armed Forces Major General Walid Abul Magd and Head of the Egyptian Company for Mining, Management and Exploitation of Quarries Major General Abdel Salam Shafiq.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, said the meeting touched on ongoing efforts to develop Egypt's means to benefit from mineral wealth, mainly Tantalum. Egypt has reserves of Tantalum, which is one of the most precious and rare elements used in many sophisticated industries, such as aircraft components, electronics and microelectronic circuits, mobile phones and laptops, as well as the manufacture of some medical components such as prosthetics and artificial joints.

The President gave directives to optimally manage and use Egypt's mineral wealth and raw materials and stressed the importance of adopting the best methods of modern management and governance, as well as advanced technological techniques, so as to maximize the added value of Egypt's mineral wealth, and contribute to strengthening the state's industrial plan and the national economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt.

Read moreEfforts to Develop Egypt’s Mineral Resources Continue

Egypt is counting on foreign aid

Location: News
African Energy Chamber

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org)

With its key oil fields maturing, domestic gas consumption on the rise, and Europe on the hunt for African energy to replace Russian supplies, Egypt is counting on foreign investors to help it meet both current and emerging demand — no surprise given that the Egyptian petroleum industry has depended on private-public partnerships with global organizations for decades.

A full 100% of the country's petroleum production involves foreign investors, including some of the best-known companies in the industry, such as Shell, BP, Eni, and APA Corporation (formerly Apache). According to the International Trade Association, between 2015 and 2021, Egypt signed just shy of 100 deals with international oil companies (IOCs) — worth USD17 billion — and offered signing bonuses for the drilling of 319 wells. In 2022 alone, there were 53 new oil and gas discoveries in Egypt, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources' 2022 Achievements Report.

But this isn't a case of Egypt auctioning off potentially prolific blocks (as of January 2021 proved reserves stood at 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 75.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas) then sitting back and merely collecting royalties.

The only way IOCs and independents can become involved in Egypt's upstream sector is through a joint venture company with a state-owned entity such as Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC). While the contractual agreements take different forms — production sharing being the most common — the approach enables Cairo to keep close tabs on its resources (and ensure appropriate extraction) while granting its partners access to opportunity accompanied by reduced risk. Today, no fewer than 50 IOCs and independents are joint venture participants, and they're having a huge impact on the country's economic well-being. According to the International Trade Association, hydrocarbon production is “by far the largest single industrial activity in the country.” In fiscal year 2019-2020, with oil output fairly stable, it represented approximately 24% of total GDP.

The African Energy Chamber looks at trends in Egyptian oil and gas and the role of foreign investors in “The State of African Energy Q1 2023 Outlook Report,” soon to be available at https://EnergyChamber.org

Committed to Partnership

As if Egypt's vast resources weren't enough to interest global energy companies, the government's favorable policies reinforce their commitment to creating attractive investments.

For example, although EGPC doesn't establish a joint venture until the foreign company has completed exploration wells (and therefore has a chance to determine whether the prospect is viable), it often helps offset the sunk costs — possibly millions of dollars — by giving a larger share of the production to its partner. It also doesn't hurt that Egypt's production costs are among the world's lowest, meaning it takes less time for companies to recoup their capital expenditures. And, of course, having a government entity as partner provides access to midstream and downstream facilities at lower cost.

According to “The State of African Energy Q1 2023 Outlook Report,” those factors are paying off for companies like America's APA Corporation, which partners with EGPC in Khalda Petroleum Company, Egypt's largest oil producer.

Despite their long-term, highly successful relationship with APA, Egypt isn't ready to rest on its contractual laurels. In 2021, the country modernized and consolidated its production sharing agreement with APA and APA's Chinese partner in Egypt, Sinopec. Aimed at boosting rig count and production, the 20-year agreement, valued at USD3.5 billion, had an almost immediate effect: soon after, APA and Sinopec announced plans to double the average drilling rig count compared to 2021, to increase well completions by 3x, and to increase upstream output by 12% to 15%. APA held 5.3 million gross acres in Egypt at year-end 2022, most of it — about 68% by company estimates — undeveloped. The company says Egypt provides “considerable exploration and development opportunities for the future.”

At the same time, EGPC's other joint ventures — Belayim Petroleum Company (PETROBEL) (with Italy's Eni); Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company, or GUPCO (with Britain's BP); and AGIBA Petroleum Company (Eni and Russia's Luckoil) — are also working to further solidify Egypt's standing as a regional energy hub.

But this isn't just an oil story — after all, Egypt is Africa's third-largest natural gas producer — nor is it limited to marquee names in energy.

German independent Wintershall Dea, for instance, may be less well-known than the IOCs but has been working in Egypt as long or even longer. The company began producing oil in the Gulf of Suez 50 years ago but has since pivoted to natural gas. Among other partnerships, it has joined with EGAS, Egypt's state-owned gas company, in a 50-50 joint venture called DISOUCO.

New Players in the Mix

Recent contractual activity suggests that the joint venture model will undergird Egypt's oil and gas industry for years to come.

For instance, early last year, Egypt signed new agreements with Canadian independent Transglobe Energy Corp. and London-based Pharos Energy to explore, develop, and produce petroleum in the Eastern and Western deserts. The deal includes approximately USD506 million in new investments. Capricorn Energy, headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, which in 2021 acquired Shell's onshore assets in the Western Desert, is another new name to watch. The company has already announced production is exceeding expectations and plans to increase capital spending as a result.  As for the IOCs, Shell, Eni, BP, and BP are all preparing new drilling programs. Chevron has said that going forward its global focus will be on Egypt and Suriname.

What this also suggests is that the world needs more energy, not less, and that efforts to discourage investment in African energy in the name of global decarbonization haven't been anywhere as successful as Western climate activists would have liked.

To read the full “The State of African Energy Q1 2023 Outlook Report,” visit https://EnergyChamber.org/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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African Energy Chamber
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Together Towards a Sustainable Energy Action

Location: News

Delegation of the European Union to Egypt
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On May 9th, 2023, the Embassy of Sweden, who holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the European Union Delegation to Egypt, hosted an event focusing on Energy interconnectivity between Europe and Egypt.

The event started with welcome remarks from Ambassador Håkan Emsgård, Ambassador of Sweden to Egypt, and Ambassador Christian Berger, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, as well as by H.E. Minister Rania El Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, H.E. Minister Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources. It was followed by panel discussions with European and Egyptian policymakers and business representatives, including Ms. Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg. The panels highlighted policies, priorities, and financial instruments to support energy transition and the linking of Europe and Egypt in this field.

“The demand for sustainable energy is increasing in Europe. Egypt is well positioned to supply such energy. To connect Egypt and Europe is therefore the obvious way forward. This will benefit the economy of Egypt and Europe alike, but it will also benefit the climate since the energy can be used in a more efficient and sustainable way” said ambassador Håkan Emsgård, Ambassador of Sweden to Egypt

During his remarks Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt said “The EU has vast knowledge to share and we have the means to help, as the world's greatest donor to climate financing providing over 40% of global public climate money through our Member States. In many countries, we deploy technical support, investment grants, capacity building, and guarantees to manage risks and leverage private investments.

Berger added “If we are to deliver a Green Deal for Europe, making the EU the model for a just and sustainable transition, we believe we must have the legitimacy to press and assist others in doing the same. Then we will be able to truly impact the future of our world.”

Engineer Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, stressed in his speech that the European Union is one of the most prominent partners of the Egyptian energy sector and has always had an important and active role in various oil and gas activities in Egypt, pointing out that since the 2018 signing of an MOU for Strategic Cooperation in the field of energy between Egypt and the European Union, the two sides enjoy a fruitful long-term relationship and the European Union has become Egypt's largest trading partner.

Minister El Molla added “The geopolitical tensions and energy market fluctuations that the world is currently witnessing are motivating countries to further diversify their energy sources in order to achieve energy security, stressing that energy security and energy neutrality are complementary goals and that Egypt's vision is to play a key role in the flow of global energy trade and promote a Better Business Link environment to ensure continued cooperation and that Egypt has proved that it holds the keys to being a regional hub for gas and oil through its strategic location, a well-established energy industry and a strong infrastructure that helps to monetize all the potentials in the eastern Mediterranean region.”

For her part, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, said: "Our relations are historical and close with the European Union, and in light of the country's priorities and its Sustainable Energy Strategy 2035, strengthening partnerships in the field of renewable energy, green hydrogen and achieving interconnection is a priority at this time, based on the great potential that Egypt has and its quest to stimulate green transformation and expansion of renewable energy sources. During the cop27 climate conference, we witnessed the signing of the agreements of the "Nowafi" program, which stimulates green investment in the fields of water, food and energy, as well as the Mediterranean hydrogen partnership funded by a European Grant, and many agreements that reflect Egypt's commitment to move from pledges to implementation."

The first panel “Interconnectivity: Financing Renewable Energy” focused on renewable energy, green hydrogen, and electricity Interconnections. The second panel “Working together to resolve the energy crisis” dealt with finding ways and solutions for Europe and Egypt to partner in resolving the energy crisis.

On the sidelines of the event, the EIB and ALEXBANK signed a loan agreement under the framework of the first Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) which is co-financed by the EU.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Egypt.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other United Nations Agencies Visit the Qustol Border

Location: News

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, led a mission of UN humanitarian agencies facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and border authorities to the Qustul border crossing on 8 May to meet those who had just crossed into Egypt after fleeing Sudan, discuss the needs and how best to support them in collaboration with the Egyptian authorities and local partners.

The joint delegation included UNHCR Egypt Representative, Dr. Hanan Hamdan, accompanied by Ambassador Neveen El Hosseiny, Deputy Assistant Minister for Migration, Refugees and Combatting Human Trafficking at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative, Dr. Naeema Al Gasser, WHO Representative, Mr. Praveen Agrawal, WFP Representative, Mr. Sylvain Merlen, UNDP Deputy Representative and Mr. Bernard El Douahi, Programme Manager at IOM Egypt, among others.

The delegation met with border officials and Sudanese officials on the Sudanese side of the border to discuss the needs there and how best to address them.

UNHCR is leading an interagency response with the UN Resident Coordinator and sister UN agencies in collaboration with the Egyptian Government to respond to the growing needs of people fleeing Sudan and crossing into Egypt needing international protection. At the border, UN Agencies have been supporting the work of the Egyptian Red Crescent through provide life-saving assistance and core relief aid, distributed by the Egyptian Red Crescent to new arrivals, including water, hygiene and sanitary kits, latrines, wheelchairs, food and medical assistance.

In parallel to visiting the borders, and meeting with refugees there, UNHCR has also been meeting with refugees and community leaders in urban areas in Cairo and Aswan, counselling new arrivals and trying to assess their needs and concerns to inform the joint response plan UNHCR is leading on with sister UN agencies.

According to numbers UNHCR received from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, around 70,000 have crossed into Egypt including 65,104 Sudanese and 4,876 third-country nationals during the period 15 April - 7 May. To date, more than 1,400 individuals fleeing Sudan approached UNHCR and UNHCR is providing them with expedited registration and pre-registration services based on their vulnerability profiles so that they can access services available to refugees and asylum-seekers made available through UNHCR and its partners in Egypt.

Following registration, refugees and asylum-seekers receive support delivered through our implementing partners. Through the partners, UNHCR Egypt supports refugees and asylum seekers to meet their basic needs and have access to health and education services. Services provided by UNHCR, and its partners cover health, education, multi-purpose cash assistance to the most vulnerable, psychosocial support, protection and child protection services, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Read moreMinistry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other United Nations Agencies Visit the Qustol Border

President El-Sisi Follows-up on Projects to Develop the Historical Areas of Cairo

Location: News

The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt
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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly; Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Dr. Assem El-Gazzar; Governor of Cairo, Major General Khaled Abdel Aal; Presidential Advisor for Urban Planning, Major General Amir Sayed Ahmed; and Chairman of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, Major General Ahmed Al-Azazy.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, stated that the meeting followed-up on projects underway to develop the historical areas of Cairo, including the area around Qal 'at Salah al-Din al-Ayoubi (Citadel of Cairo), as part of the state's plan to restore the cultural face of Cairo and its ancient historical splendor.

President El-Sisi stressed the need to give due interest to the preservation of archaeological sites and facilities of historical value, so as to highlight the unique characteristics and inherent architectural spirit of the region. The President also emphasized the importance of increasing green spaces to become outlets for the area's inhabitants and visitors. He noted that this should be implemented in an integrated manner, consistent with work underway to develop neighboring communities, with the aim of improving the quality of life in Cairo along various developmental dimensions, whether urban, cultural or touristic.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt.

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