Egypt Daily News – In a high-level meeting held Monday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood. The meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres took place on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution.
According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, Minister Abdel Aaty expressed Cairo’s appreciation for Guterres’ principled stance on the Gaza crisis, particularly his consistent calls for protecting civilians and ensuring unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
Firm Support for Palestinian Rights and Unity
Abdel Aaty emphasized that the Palestinian people possess an inalienable right to determine their future and establish an independent state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He firmly rejected any efforts to separate Gaza from the West Bank, warning that such initiatives undermine the integrity of a future Palestinian state and the prospects for lasting peace.
The minister also outlined Egypt’s ongoing preparations to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, to be convened once a ceasefire agreement is reached. The initiative, in collaboration with the UN, the Palestinian Authority, and international partners, aims to mobilize the necessary political and financial support for implementing the Arab-Islamic plan to rebuild Gaza and restore dignified living conditions for its population.
UNRWA and International Law
Abdel Aaty strongly reaffirmed Egypt’s full backing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), denouncing Israeli efforts to undermine its operations. He described the agency as a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees and warned of the severe humanitarian and political consequences should its mandate be further eroded.
He also called for building on the outcomes of the international peace conference as a constructive step toward reviving the long-stalled political process. The minister stressed the need to establish a credible political horizon based on international law and UN resolutions, leading to the realization of a sovereign Palestinian state.
Egypt’s Broader Regional Concerns
In addition to discussing the Palestinian issue, Abdel Aaty addressed Egypt’s strategic concerns regarding regional stability, particularly the country’s water security. He briefed the UN Secretary-General on Egypt’s position regarding the Nile River and emphasized the necessity of respecting international legal principles in managing transboundary water resources. Egypt, he said, remains committed to cooperation based on consensus and mutual benefit, but firmly rejects any unilateral actions that contravene international law in the Eastern Nile Basin.
“Egypt will not hesitate to take all legal measures to protect its existential resources,” Abdel Aaty declared, underscoring the country’s stance on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and water-sharing disputes.
Commitment to Somalia and Red Sea Security
The Egyptian foreign minister also highlighted Cairo’s full support for efforts to stabilize Somalia and the Horn of Africa, including backing the African Union-led AUSSOM mission tasked with restoring peace in Somalia.
Abdel Aaty further emphasized the strategic importance of the Red Sea to Egypt’s national security, reiterating Egypt’s opposition to the participation of non-littoral states in any maritime security arrangements in the region. “The Red Sea’s governance must remain in the hands of the countries directly bordering it,” he said.
On Sudan: Sovereignty and Peace
Touching on the ongoing crisis in Sudan, Abdel Aaty stressed Egypt’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and promoting national dialogue. He underscored the importance of preserving Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while rejecting external interference in its internal affairs. The need to safeguard national institutions was also highlighted as a cornerstone for future stability.
UN Praises Egypt’s Regional Leadership
In response, Secretary-General António Guterres praised Egypt’s leadership under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, noting Cairo’s constructive role amid the region’s unprecedented challenges. He expressed full UN support for Egypt’s planned reconstruction conference for Gaza and commended the deepening cooperation between Egypt and the United Nations on a range of regional and international issues.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture in the Middle East, as Egypt seeks to assert a central diplomatic role in de-escalating regional conflicts while advancing long-term political solutions rooted in international consensus.
