In a key diplomatic event, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development, Dr. Manal Awad, attended a reception hosted by Dr. Axel Wabenhorst, the Australian Ambassador to Egypt, in honor of the official visit by Australia’s Governor-General, Sarah Moustin. The event, which took place at the Australian Embassy in Cairo, was a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Australia, marking a significant milestone in the two nations’ enduring partnership.
The reception was attended by a range of distinguished figures, including Dr. Zahi Hawass, former Minister of Antiquities and renowned Egyptologist, and Dr. Khaled El-Anany, Egypt’s nominee for Director-General of UNESCO. Also present were a number of senior officials, members of the diplomatic community in Cairo, as well as representatives from both the Egyptian and Australian expatriate communities.
In her address, Dr. Manal Awad expressed her warm welcome to Mrs. Moustin and highlighted the historic significance of the occasion. “This visit marks 75 years of diplomatic ties between Egypt and Australia—ties rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and strategic cooperation,” Dr. Awad said. She noted that over the decades, Egypt and Australia have expanded their cooperation in key areas such as trade, agriculture, education, and fostering stronger people-to-people connections.
Dr. Awad further emphasized that Australia’s experience with decentralization and community development, particularly its commitment to equality, full citizenship, and environmental sustainability, offers an invaluable model for Egypt. She pointed to these principles as key elements of international community-building that Egypt aims to adopt, particularly in relation to the governorate-level initiatives that align with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which addresses both climate and socio-economic challenges.
Highlighting the importance of local development, Dr. Awad reaffirmed the Egyptian government’s commitment to strengthening local administration capabilities, improving service delivery, and empowering communities—particularly women and youth—to drive sustainable development across Egypt. She underscored that under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, efforts to modernize Egypt’s local governance are ongoing, with a focus on creating more inclusive and resilient communities.
Dr. Awad expressed her optimism about enhancing bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Australia, stating that the two nations have much to gain from continued collaboration. “Together, we can build more inclusive and prosperous societies,” she added, reinforcing the shared goals of both nations in promoting sustainable development and addressing the challenges of the modern world.
The reception not only marked a celebratory moment for the Egypt-Australia relationship but also set the stage for future dialogue on enhancing partnerships that contribute to both nations’ long-term growth and development goals.
