Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday warned that the Middle East stands at a historic crossroads as conflicts across the region intensify, saying the ongoing wars and rising geopolitical tensions are placing heavy economic and security pressures on Egypt.
Speaking during the annual Egyptian Family Iftar gathering held at the Air Force House in Cairo, President El-Sisi addressed senior state officials, religious leaders and representatives from across Egyptian society, outlining the government’s view of the rapidly evolving regional landscape and its implications for the country’s economy and stability.
Among those attending the event were Speaker of the House of Representatives Hesham Badawy, Senate Speaker Essam El-Din Farid, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Coptic Orthodox Pope Pope Tawadros II, along with ministers, senior military leaders and public figures. The gathering, which traditionally brings together representatives of Egypt’s social, political and religious institutions during the holy month of Ramadan, was used by the president to deliver a wide-ranging assessment of the challenges facing the country.
Regional conflicts and calls for de-escalation
President El-Sisi said Egypt is working intensively with regional and international partners to contain escalating conflicts across the Middle East, particularly the war in the Gulf region and other ongoing confrontations affecting Arab countries.
He reiterated Cairo’s condemnation of attacks targeting Arab states and reaffirmed Egypt’s support for the security and stability of its regional partners. The president stressed that continued escalation threatens to trigger severe economic, humanitarian and security consequences that would affect the entire region.
“Our region today stands at a historic turning point,” President El-Sisi said, warning that the accumulation of wars and armed conflicts across the Middle East could have long-lasting consequences if diplomatic solutions are not pursued.
Egypt, he added, continues to advocate dialogue, restraint and adherence to international law and international humanitarian law as the only viable path to resolving regional disputes.
Economic pressures and global impact
The Egyptian president noted that the ongoing conflicts in the region including wars affecting Gaza and tensions involving Iran have significantly disrupted global supply chains and contributed to rising energy and food prices worldwide.
Egypt has not been immune to those pressures, he said, emphasizing that the government has been forced to take difficult economic decisions to ensure the continued availability of essential goods and to maintain macroeconomic stability.
President El-Sisi acknowledged public frustration following recent increases in fuel prices, saying the government understands the financial burdens facing citizens but argued that the measures were unavoidable under current circumstances.
“These decisions are never taken lightly,” he said, stressing that authorities carefully study every policy choice to ensure that the adopted measures impose the least possible cost on the population.
The president also highlighted the scale of Egypt’s energy consumption, noting that the country spends roughly $20 billion annually on petroleum products, equivalent to nearly one trillion Egyptian pounds.
Energy transition and electricity costs
According to President El-Sisi, a significant portion of petroleum consumption in Egypt is used to operate electricity generation facilities rather than private vehicles, underscoring the importance of maintaining stable energy supplies.
To reduce long-term dependence on fossil fuels, the government is accelerating investment in renewable energy. Egypt aims to generate 42 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with officials seeking to reach that target even earlier.
The president warned that if citizens were required to pay the full cost of electricity production without state support, household electricity bills could rise to four times their current levels.
He stressed that the government does not profit from energy price adjustments and continues to shoulder large subsidies to protect consumers.
Impact of global crises
President El-Sisi also pointed to the cumulative impact of global crises over the past several years, including the economic fallout from regional conflicts and disruptions to international trade.
He said Egypt had lost roughly $10 billion in revenue from the Suez Canal in recent years due to instability affecting maritime traffic, a loss equivalent to about 500 billion Egyptian pounds.
Those financial pressures have limited the government’s ability to expand spending while maintaining economic stability, he said.
The president emphasized that Egypt, with a population approaching 120 million people, faces the complex challenge of meeting the needs of a large population despite limited resources.
Social protection measures
Despite the economic strain, President El-Sisi said the government remains committed to protecting vulnerable households and ensuring that basic goods remain accessible.
He announced that the government has been instructed to accelerate the rollout of a new social protection package aimed at supporting low- and middle-income families during the current period of economic pressure.
Authorities are also increasing oversight of markets to prevent price manipulation and profiteering, he added, warning that traders found exploiting consumers could face legal prosecution.
National unity and stability
In his address, President El-Sisi urged Egyptians to remain united and vigilant amid the turbulence affecting the region.
He warned that some countries in the Middle East have faced instability due to political miscalculations, stressing the importance of preserving national cohesion and stability.
“The region is changing, and we must remain aware and united,” he said.
The president also called for greater transparency from government officials and encouraged public discussion of economic policies to ensure citizens understand the realities facing the country.
Cultural and social messages
President El-Sisi also addressed concerns raised in recent years about the quality of television drama and cultural productions, urging creators to produce works that reflect Egyptian values and strengthen national identity.
He noted that some improvement had been observed this year but encouraged further progress in producing content that supports social cohesion and cultural awareness.
Closing remarks
Concluding his speech, President El-Sisi reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Egypt’s stability and guiding the country through regional turmoil.
He expressed confidence that Egypt would overcome current challenges through national unity and resilience.
“No matter how severe the crises around us become, Egypt will remain strong with the awareness and unity of its people,” the president said, ending the gathering with traditional greetings ahead of the approaching Eid al-Fitr.
