Sisi’s call at WYF for joint int’l action echoed by int’l support

10 / 01 / 2022

• Egypt
• news
• Sustainable Development

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has urged world countries to join hands to overcome the challenges and crises facing the world for the sake of humanity and peace; this call was echoed by international officials’ support.

Addressing the World Youth Forum (WYF) on Monday, the president highlighted that sincere intentions are the only way to end conflicts and manage differences in the world.

Sisi said the forum became a platform to exchange visions among youths from various parts of the world.

He underlined the importance of dialogue and managing differences.

WB President stresses commitment for promoting youth role:

For his part, President of the World Bank Group David Malpass stressed that bank’s commitment to creating a space for exchanging ideas with youth, especially on urgent issues facing the new generations.

He highlighted the role played by youths in eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality and leading the march of development.

Addressing the forum via video conference, he said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented effect on people’s life and businesses, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as job opportunities and educational programs.

Malpass referred to reports issued by UNESCO and UNICEF in December which indicated that the closure of schools as a result of the pandemic caused the loss of about 70 trillion dollars of the global GDP.

Meanwhile, Malpass said about one million people in the Middle East and North Africa will seek job opportunities by 2050, highlighting that the labor market has to secure better and sustainable chances for them.

He called for benefiting from digital technology which enables young entrepreneurs to become producers, promoting social inclusion and securing services to enhance resilience and recovery capabilities.

He added that green economy provides more job opportunities for youths, stressing the World Bank’s commitment to action plans, especially those related to climate change.

Malpass underlined the importance of backing the Middle East and North African countries to be able to confront shocks.

He added that youths have the responsibility to positively engage in decision-making, especially in issues related to them.

UNAOC hails WYF as exceptional golden chance for bringing world youths together:

For his part, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Miguel Angel Moratinos hailed the WYF as an exceptional golden chance bringing world youths together for interactive dialogue.

He said the UN chief has called for getting youths to be a key player in the reform process.

He said the major challenge facing the world is saving the planet, while the second challenge is saving humanity, highlighting the importance of respecting the other and coexistence among civilizations, cultures and religions.

At the end of his speech, he quoted President Sisi’s words at the last United Nations General Assembly meeting in which he called on all to mobilize efforts to save the future.

US amb. announces inauguration of Ambassador’s Youth Council in Egypt:

US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen the US Embassy’s inauguration of the Ambassador’s Youth Council – outstanding youth from across Egypt who will advise the Ambassador on ways to advance the US-Egypt partnership.

Ambassador Cohen and President Sisi discuss the critical role of youth in overcoming global challenges, including COVID, climate change, and the importance of the US-Egypt strategic partnership.

He noted that Egypt and the US are cooperating in combating climate change, adding that Egypt is taking serious steps in this respect, especially through turning to green energy.

Cohen highlighted the efforts exerted by the two countries to curb the spread of the coronavirus, noting that his country contributed over dlrs 50 million to help the Egyptian government confront the repercussions of the pandemic, in addition to donating a large number of medical equipment.

The US in tandem with COVAX extended more than 60 million doses of vaccines to Egypt, Cohen said.

He hailed Egypt’s generosity in donating medical equipment and supplies to support other countries in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sisi reviews Egypt’s efforts during pandemic, presidential health initiatives:

During the World Youth Forum, Sisi reviewed the efforts exerted by Egypt to confront the coronavirus, referring to the presidential health initiatives carried out in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

He said the international community, topped by the World Health Organization, has commended these initiatives, including the Presidential initiative for eradicating Hepatitis C Virus and early detection of non-communicable diseases.

Thanks to these initiatives, Egypt – which was one of the most affected by Hepatitis C Virus – became one of the least affected.

Sisi expounded that if Egypt was hit by the coronavirus ahead of implementing these initiatives, Egypt would have lost 10 to 20 percent of patients, especially those suffering from chronic diseases.

He underlined that the projects being implemented by the state have not stopped before and during the coronavirus and are still going on.

The president noted that the state launched the Decent Life project with aim to serve 60 million people in the Egyptian countryside and confront the economic repercussions caused by the pandemic.

Sisi said the Decent Life initiative whose cost stood at about EGP 600 to 700 billion was launched in the current fiscal year and will continue for the coming three years in order to boost economy and growth rates.

He added that Egypt was among few countries that achieved growth during the pandemic, noting that Egypt’s growth rate stood at 3.6 percent in the 2019/2020 FY and 3.3 percent in 2020/2021 FY.

The forum – under the slogan “Back Together” – witnessed the attendance of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Jordanian Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

Also, Presidents George Vella of Malta, Klaus Iohannis of Romania, Iván Duque Márquez of Colombia and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia attended the event alongside Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and UAE Minister of State of Youth Shamma Al Mazrui.

A large number of youths are also taking part in the event which will run until January 13 amid wide participation of international media.