Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry participated on Monday in the seventh session of the Dakar International Forum on peace and security in Africa, held in the Senegalese capital Dakar.
He delivered a speech in the first plenary session of the forum, held under the title ” African continent and the world in the post-Corona pandemic”.
Minister Shoukry pointed out during his intervention that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to result in unprecedented challenges for all countries, explaining that it has hindered efforts to achieve peace and stability in Africa and exacerbated humanitarian crises.
He referred to its negative effects on young people, women and displaced persons, which makes it impossible to deal with the pandemic as a global health crisis, as its repercussions have affected all aspects of life at the political, security, social and economic levels.
In this context, the Foreign Minister highlighted a number of issues that must be given special priority at the African level, including the development of a common vision to address the shortcomings of our continent’s medical infrastructure, including dependence on foreign medicines and vaccines.
He stressed the need to work towards a rapid and effective economic recovery to contribute to the return to the growth and employment rates that prevailed before the spread of the pandemic, in addition to the importance of strengthening cooperation and solidarity among African countries to address the continental priorities in accordance with the African Union Agenda for Development 2063.
Minister Shoukry noted the importance of addressing the root causes of terrorism and armed conflict in Africa by rebuilding societies that have suffered the ravages of war and conflict.
He stressed that Egypt will spare no effort to help sister African countries recover quickly from the fallout of the pandemic and achieve the goals and aspirations of their people towards a better future..
