Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, represented Egypt at the first Korean-African Summit in Seoul, South Korea. The summit, co-chaired by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, brought together leaders from 48 African nations.
Minister Al-Mashat highlighted the strong relationship between Egypt and South Korea, citing successful joint projects and a total economic cooperation portfolio exceeding $1.3 billion. She emphasized Egypt’s goal to further expand this strategic partnership.
The summit addressed both progress made and hurdles faced by the African continent. While strides have been taken towards the African Continental Free Trade Area and the 2063 Development Agenda, challenges like internal conflicts, climate change, and food insecurity persist.
Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. She pointed to President El-Sisi’s leadership in the African Union Development Agency and reconstruction efforts.
The Minister advocated for South-South cooperation, where developing countries collaborate on economic, social, and environmental issues. She positioned this as a crucial tool for knowledge sharing, technological advancement, and achieving food security through joint agricultural initiatives.
Egypt’s experience in infrastructure development was showcased, with the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station in Tanzania serving as a model for future African collaborations. The importance of knowledge exchange between African nations through workshops and programs was also stressed.
Dr. Al-Mashat concluded by underlining the significance of international partnerships, both South-South and triangular cooperation with developed nations. These partnerships are seen as vital for global economic recovery, particularly in the context of a green transition.
