The Cairo International Center for conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, in cooperation (CCCPA) with the Japanese Embassy in Egypt, hosted a round table on challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable peace and development in the Red Sea region.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif, CCCPA Director General, highlighted Egypt’s commitment to enhancing peace and stability in the Red Sea region and promoting cooperation, including through support to the recently established Council of the Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Furthermore, he emphasized Egypt’s integrated approach to advancing, peace and security in the region in tandem with fostering economic development, regional integration and addressing environmental risks.
He expressed his appreciation for the long-standing partnership of the Government of Japan with CCCPA and the Aswan Forum in the framework of the trilateral cooperation to strengthen peace and security in Africa.
On his part, Ambassador Hiroshi Oka, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, highlighted the importance of maritime safety and security in the Red Sea Area including the Suez Canal as a global maritime route, and Japanese efforts to support peace and development in the region through cooperation with the littoral countries, including in the context of implementing the initiatives launched by Japan during the Tokyo International Conference for Africa Development (TICAD 8) held last August in Tunisia.
Ambassador Oka also expressed his appreciation for the role of CCCPA in training and capacity building in Africa within the framework of the ongoing collaboration between Egypt and Japan on peace and security, stressing that Egypt is a most-trusted partner when it comes to Japanese diplomacy in Africa and the Middle East.
The roundtable’s discussions addressed challenges in the Red Sea region and their implications on peace and security, as well as the role of partnerships and cooperation frameworks in promoting integrated approaches in line with the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus.
It also examined opportunities for cooperation between Egypt and Japan, building on achievements in their bilateral and trilateral cooperation to advance sustainable peace and development on the African continent.
