The Presidency
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivered a speech on the occasion of Egypt’s celebration of “Africa Day,” hosted this year by Cairo University.
The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the African continent celebrates “Africa Day” annually on May 25, commemorating the establishment of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, which later turned into the African Union. The day represents a significant occasion to embody the unity of the continent and to reflect on its glorious history and the struggles of its peoples for freedom and development.
This year’s celebration highlights Egypt’s historical and contemporary role in supporting the African continent, while showcasing successful partnership models that contribute to achieving the goals of the African Development Agenda 2063.
The President delivered the following speech marking Egypt’s celebration of Africa Day:
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”
The leaders and peoples of our African continent,
It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations on the occasion of Africa Day, a historic milestone that marks the anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity.Since its inception, this Organization has embodied the willpower of African peoples toward liberation and unity, while firmly establishing the foundations for joint African action.
Today, our African continent is poised to usher-in a new era of growth and development, driven by its vast potential and rich resources. Above all, it is fueled by the unwavering will and determination of its peoples to leverage their wealth.
It is a source of immense pride that Egypt’s celebration of Africa Day this year unfolds from the heart of Cairo University, this venerable academic institution whose brilliance is not confined to Egypt alone, but extends across Africa and the Middle East.
Since its founding in 1908, this University has championed a pioneering role in disseminating knowledge, shaping consciousness, and cultivating the Arab and African character. This enduring legacy is vividly reflected in successive generations of scholars, thinkers, and researchers who graduated from this revered institution. Their impact transcended national borders as they actively contributed to the paths of national liberation and the realization of comprehensive development across their nations.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Against the backdrop of rapid regional and international developments, alongside the successive crises and challenges currently unfolding across the globe, and the subsequent negative repercussions on maritime navigation in vital waterways, global trade, global supply chains, as well as energy and food security for our African nations, it is paramount that we forge greatersolidarity and cohesion among our countries. We must consolidate our efforts and fortify joint cooperation to reinforce our collective capacity to confront these crises and challenges, safeguard the resources of our peoples, ensure freedom of navigation, and secure these vital waterways, thereby securing stability and protecting our mutual interests, grounded in an unyielding commitment to the rules of international law.
Distinguished Sons and Daughters of Africa,
The designation of this year’s African Union theme, centered on the critical issue of water, holdsprofound significance. Water stands as a fundamental pillar for sustaining life, safeguarding the resources of the African peoples, and achieving regional integration.
In this context, we firmly underscore the imperative of respecting international law governing transboundary international rivers, ensuring the prudent management of these waterways, and adopting an approach anchored in the sound governance of African rivers. Such an approach must serve mutual interests, yield shared benefits, and fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals. It shall also foster an environment of peace, preserve peace and security, and advance integration, rather than fueling tensions and conflicts, all within the framework of ongoing efforts toward solidifying the principles of African partnership and solidarity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Arab Republic of Egypt, rooted in its profound African heritage, reiterates its unequivocal, unshakable commitment to preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the nations across our continent, and safeguarding their national institutions. This remains the absolute cornerstone for confronting the complex, intertwined challenges facing Africa, and for anchoring the foundations of peace and security in the continent.
Egypt shall persist as a dynamic and enduring partner in supporting the pursuit of development and construction across our fellow African nations. This vision will be driven forward through the exchange of expertise, the implementation of projects, and a steadfast openness to cooperation with diverse international partners, all within a framework of mutual respect and shared interests, dedicated to fulfilling the ultimate priorities of the nations and peoples of our continent.
In this context, Egypt welcomes hosting the Eighth African Union Coordination Summit in June 2026. This summit will serve as a prime opportunity for deliberations on the state of regional integration across the continent and on efforts toward implementing the Second Ten-Year Plan of Agenda 2063, achieved through the concerted efforts of both governments and African business sectors.
Brothers and sisters,
As we celebrate Africa Day, we reaffirm our commitment to sustaining our joint efforts and to fostering the bonds of cooperation and integration among the nations of our continent, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of our peoples for a more progressive and prosperous future.
In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the peoples of our African continent on this occasion, wishing our venerablecontinent enduring progress, peace, and prosperity.
Thank you
May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you
