Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty, met on Saturday, November 8, with the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms. Ghada Waly, to discuss expanding cooperation between Egypt and UNODC across multiple priority areas.
Minister Abdel-Atty highlighted Egypt’s plan to host a regional training center for African nations to combat cybercrime, in partnership with UNODC, emphasizing the need to train national and African personnel using international expertise in cybercrime prevention and response.
The meeting also addressed Egypt’s proposal to establish a Center of Excellence to combat illicit trafficking in cultural property, which would be the first of its kind globally, reflecting Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage.
Maritime Security and Regional Stability
The minister discussed maritime security in the Red Sea, requesting UNODC support to combat organized crime while strengthening technical and logistical assistance to ensure freedom of navigation and regional stability. He stressed that Red Sea governance remains the responsibility of coastal states, highlighting Egypt’s commitment to protecting resources and maintaining maritime security.
Gaza Reconstruction and Early Recovery
Preparations for the International Conference on Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development in Gaza, to be hosted in Egypt, were also a key topic. Minister Abdel-Atty expressed Egypt’s desire for active UN participation, particularly from agencies capable of supporting early recovery, ensuring immediate projects and commitments to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Cybercrime Cooperation and UN Treaty Support
Waly presented Minister Abdel-Atty with a copy of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024. The treaty aims to strengthen international cooperation against ICT-enabled crimes and facilitate the exchange of electronic evidence in serious criminal cases.
