Ashraf AboArafe
Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates, engaged in intensive diplomatic activities on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, spanning an international memorial ceremony and bilateral talks to bolster African cooperation.
I. Unveiling of UN Security Council Memorial Plaque Honoring Dr. Mahmoud Azmi
Minister Abdelatty participated in the unveiling ceremony of a commemorative plaque outside the UN Security Council chamber, honoring Permanent Representatives who passed away while fulfilling their diplomatic duties. Launched at the initiative of Egypt’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the ceremony was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State and Foreign Minister Ms. Kandia Camara, alongside senior UN officials.
The initiative pays special tribute to Dr. Mahmoud Azmi, Egypt’s third Permanent Representative to the UN, who passed away following a sudden heart attack inside the Security Council chamber on November 3, 1954, while addressing the situation in the Middle East.
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Distinguished Legacy: Born in Sharqia Governorate in 1889, Dr. Azmi earned his Ph.D. in Law, Economics, and Political Science from Paris in 1912. He became a pioneering journalist, legal scholar, and diplomat renowned for advocating national independence and press freedom.
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International Contributions: He served as Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights and played a pivotal role in shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Upon assuming his role as Egypt’s Permanent Representative in 1954, he steadfastly defended national interests and Arab causes, most notably the Palestinian cause, until his final moments.
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Shared International Honor: The memorial wall also honors former Russian Permanent Representatives Andrei Vyshinsky (1954) and Vitaly Churkin (2017), as well as Côte d’Ivoire’s former Permanent Representative Bernard Tanoh-Boutchoue (2018).
Minister Abdelatty emphasized that honoring Dr. Azmi reflects deep appreciation for his foundational role in strengthening multilateralism and defending self-determination, noting that he remains a timeless model of dedicated diplomacy.
II. Egypt–DRC Talks Focus on Bilateral Cooperation and Water Security
On the regional front, Minister Abdelatty met with Ms. Thérèse Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to review bilateral relations and key regional developments.
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Economic and Development Cooperation: Both ministers commended the historic ties between the two nations and built upon the outcomes of President Félix Tshisekedi’s visit to Cairo last June. Minister Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s goal to expand trade, increase Egyptian corporate involvement in DRC development projects, and invited Congolose business leaders to the El Alamein Africa Business Forum, scheduled for October 2–4, 2026.
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Water Security & Nile Basin Initiative: Both sides agreed on strict adherence to international law governing transboundary waterways—principally the principles of notification and preventing harm—while advocating for inclusive consensus within the Nile Basin Initiative.
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Regional Peace and Stability: Discussions covered political and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to close coordination to foster regional stability and security.
