Egypt’s Commercial Counselor Ihab Salah El-Din, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Office in Pretoria, represented Egypt at the Women 20 (W20) Summit, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 12 to 14.
The W20 is one of the official engagement groups of the G20, chaired this year by South Africa. It plays a critical role in shaping policy recommendations for G20 leaders, with a focus on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive development.
Egypt’s Strategic Presence and African Solidarity
Among them was Eng. Safaa El-Dehy, representing the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association, who actively participated in summit sessions.
This engagement reflects Egypt’s growing recognition as a regional leader in African economic integration, women’s leadership, and inclusive policymaking.
“Egypt is seizing the opportunity of South Africa’s G20 presidency to ensure its voice contributes to shaping more inclusive global economic policies,” said Dr. Abdel Aziz El-Sherif, Minister Plenipotentiary for Trade.
A Platform for Global Policy Influence
The W20 Summit provides a structured platform for dialogue between civil society and decision-makers, with the aim of driving gender-responsive economic policies. Key areas of discussion included:
- Financial inclusion and literacy for women
- Advancing women-led entrepreneurship
- Gender-sensitive economic reforms
- Digital inclusion and innovation
- Equal labor force participation
Insights and recommendations from Egypt’s delegation are expected to contribute to the W20 Communiqué, which will be submitted to G20 leaders as part of the summit’s final policy package.
Strengthening Egypt’s G20 Engagement
Dr. El-Sherif noted that this marks the third consecutive year Egypt has been invited to participate in G20-related activities—following its involvement in the Brazil 2023 and India 2024 summits.
“Egypt’s consistent presence highlights the growing international recognition of its constructive role in sustainable development and multilateral diplomacy,” he said.
Empowering Women as a National Priority
Egypt’s participation in W20 aligns closely with national development priorities, particularly Egypt Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Both frameworks emphasize women’s empowerment, inclusive economic growth, and regional cooperation.
The inclusion of female leaders like Eng. Safaa El-Dehy underscores Egypt’s commitment to ensuring that women are active stakeholders in shaping regional and global economic futures
