Nizhny Novgorod – Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry participated in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on Monday. Shoukry delivered two speeches during the sessions, one addressing ways to enhance cooperation among BRICS countries and their stance on international and regional issues, and the other discussing forms of cooperation with the group’s partner countries.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, in his inaugural address as a BRICS member, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemned indiscriminate Israeli military actions that have caused widespread casualties and a humanitarian crisis. He urged Israel to adhere to international law, allow unfettered humanitarian aid access, and respect Palestinian rights to self-determination and a sovereign state.
Speaking at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Shoukry warned of the dire consequences of continued aggression in Rafah and reaffirmed Egypt’s support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to peace. He also highlighted Egypt’s ongoing mediation efforts and upcoming co-hosting of an international conference to address Gaza’s humanitarian needs.
Shoukry emphasized the importance of BRICS, now strengthened by recent expansion, in advocating for a fairer and more resilient global economic structure. He outlined Egypt’s priorities, including:
- More inclusive global economic governance representing developing nations
- Increased development financing and concessional funding from multilateral banks
- Support for regional trade agreements within the Global South
- Adequate climate finance
- Reform of the global debt structure to enable investment in human resources and infrastructure
- Technology transfer and capacity building for developing countries
The Egyptian Foreign Minister also highlighted the potential of expanded use of national currencies in financial transactions among BRICS nations to bolster economic resilience. He underscored the role of the BRICS New Development Bank in expanding development options for critical projects in sectors like energy, food security, and transportation.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zeid noted that Shoukry called for greater institutionalized cooperation and coordination with other countries to enhance BRICS’ geopolitical and economic standing. This, he argued, would solidify the group’s position as a forum representing the aspirations of all developing nations.
