Ashraf AboArafe
DRIVING efforts to end the war in Gaza and consolidate the ceasefire; rejecting displacement and preserving Palestinian territorial unity; safeguarding freedom of navigation; and strengthening Egypt’s economic and diplomatic partnerships
On the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, intensified his meetings and consultations with regional and international counterparts, reflecting a broad Egyptian diplomatic effort focused on ending the war in Gaza, consolidating the ceasefire, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, rejecting the displacement of Palestinians, reducing regional tensions, and strengthening Egypt’s economic and international partnerships.
The Palestinian Cause at the Heart of Egypt’s Diplomatic Efforts
On September 20, Minister Abdelatty met with representatives of the U.S. organization J Street, reviewing Egypt’s established position on the Palestinian cause.
He stressed that regional security and stability remain dependent on achieving a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, based on ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The minister underscored the unity of Palestinian territory, stressing that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Palestinian state and must remain connected to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land or separate Gaza from the West Bank.
He also stressed the need to consolidate the ceasefire, ensure the full implementation of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian assistance, and accelerate early recovery and reconstruction efforts throughout Gaza, while enabling Palestinian institutions to assume their responsibilities.
Regional Coordination to Reduce Escalation and Safeguard Navigation
At the Egyptian Mission in New York, Minister Abdelatty hosted a meeting of the four regional parties, with the participation of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.
The meeting focused on intensifying efforts to reduce regional escalation and ensuring full and safe freedom of navigation, regarded as essential to global economic stability and the security of international trade.
The ministers also discussed the importance of reaching sustainable understandings that could strengthen regional security and stability and prevent further escalation, agreeing to continue close consultation and coordination on issues of common regional concern.
Eight Arab and Muslim Countries Push to End the Gaza War
The Egyptian Mission in New York also hosted a meeting of the group of eight Arab and Muslim countries comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Türkiye, Pakistan and Indonesia.
Minister Abdelatty stressed the need to intensify efforts to advance the full implementation of President Trump’s comprehensive Gaza peace plan and ensure that none of its provisions are obstructed, in a manner that would contribute to ending the war, consolidating the ceasefire and laying the foundations for lasting peace and stability.
He reviewed Egypt’s efforts, in cooperation with the mediators, over the previous period, stressing the need for all parties, including Israel, to assume their responsibilities and refrain from violations that could undermine the ceasefire.
He further emphasized the importance of ensuring safe, full and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, as well as accelerating early recovery efforts and providing the supplies required to address the urgent needs of the Palestinian people.
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land. He also condemned Israeli measures in the West Bank and attempts to alter the established historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.
He warned of the dangers posed by settlement expansion and measures aimed at creating new realities on the ground, which undermine prospects for establishing a Palestinian state and threaten the two-state solution and prospects for peace in the region.
The ministers agreed to continue intensive coordination and consultation on developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Egypt and Jordan: Close Coordination on Gaza, the West Bank and Regional Security
Minister Abdelatty also met with Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan.
The two ministers reaffirmed the depth and special nature of Egyptian-Jordanian relations and their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, while advancing the trilateral cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.
Their discussions focused on developments concerning the Palestinian cause, efforts to complete implementation of President Trump’s plan, consolidate stability in Gaza and ensure humanitarian access, as well as developments in the West Bank.
The two sides rejected policies of annexation and settlement expansion and settler violence, emphasizing the importance of preserving the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem. Abdelatty also renewed Egypt’s support for the Hashemite custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The ministers exchanged views on regional developments and stressed the importance of reducing escalation, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and addressing threats to regional security.
Strengthening the Egypt-U.S. Economic Partnership
On the economic front, Minister Abdelatty participated in a working dinner hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, attended by representatives of major American companies.
He emphasized the importance of the strategic relationship between Egypt and the United States and the need to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation in a manner commensurate with the depth of bilateral relations and the shared interests of the two countries.
Abdelatty reviewed measures undertaken by the Egyptian government to improve the investment climate and facilitate procedures for investors, as well as the continued implementation of the economic reform program and the restructuring of the state’s role in the economy, creating greater space for the private sector to contribute to growth and job creation.
He highlighted Egypt’s competitive advantages and promising investment opportunities, including its strategic geographical location, access to regional and international markets, and extensive infrastructure development.
The minister called on American companies to increase their investments in Egypt, particularly in communications and information technology, digital transformation, healthcare and energy, as well as other priority sectors.
The meeting also addressed regional developments and their impact on the global economy, supply chains and energy and commodity markets. Abdelatty stressed the importance of resolving crises through political and diplomatic means in order to break the cycle of escalation and instability.
Egypt and Switzerland: Expanding Economic Cooperation Amid Regional Crises
Minister Abdelatty also met with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, reviewing the continued development of Egyptian-Swiss relations, which have spanned more than 90 years.
He expressed Egypt’s interest in expanding economic and trade cooperation and encouraging Swiss investment in Egypt, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and infrastructure projects.
The two ministers discussed a number of regional issues, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, developments related to the Iranian file and the crisis in Yemen, as well as their repercussions for regional security and stability, energy security, freedom of navigation, supply chains and international trade.
They stressed the importance of supporting political solutions to regional crises in a manner that preserves regional security and stability.
The Swiss foreign minister expressed appreciation for the distinguished bilateral relationship and commended Egypt’s role in addressing regional crises and its efforts to contain tensions.
A Multi-Track Egyptian Diplomatic Drive
Taken together, Minister Abdelatty’s meetings on September 20 and 21 demonstrate the breadth of Egypt’s diplomatic engagement in New York, combining Palestinian, humanitarian, regional, economic and diplomatic tracks.
The meetings placed the Gaza war and the Palestinian cause at the center of Egypt’s international engagement, while simultaneously addressing regional de-escalation, freedom of navigation, economic cooperation, investment and bilateral relations.
The Egyptian diplomatic activity also reflects Cairo’s continued emphasis on political and diplomatic solutions to regional crises, alongside its efforts to mobilize regional and international partnerships around security, stability, humanitarian assistance, economic development and the establishment of a Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state solution.
