Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, delivered the country’s opening address at a side event held during the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of member states’ human rights records. The event is part of the ongoing UPR sessions from January 24-28 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the auspices of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
During her speech, Minister Morsi outlined Egypt’s social and economic progress under the theme “Social and Economic Advancement in Egypt: Achievements and Challenges.” The session attracted wide participation from numerous countries, reflecting the growing international interest in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to improve human rights conditions.
In addition to Minister Morsi’s remarks, her visit to Switzerland will include a series of bilateral meetings with various ministers and international representatives participating in the UPR sessions.
The event featured other key speakers, including Dr. Amal Ammar, Head of the National Council for Women, who discussed Egypt’s initiatives to empower and protect women in line with international human rights standards. Dr. Ammar highlighted significant achievements in the field while also addressing existing challenges that need further attention.
Head of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, Dr. Sahar El-Sonbaty, also provided an overview of Egypt’s work in the child welfare sector, showcasing the country’s accomplishments while acknowledging the ongoing hurdles.
Meanwhile, Dr. Iman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, focused on Egypt’s efforts to enhance social and economic empowerment for citizens with disabilities. She discussed the country’s adherence to international norms and the tangible progress made, as well as the challenges still to be overcome.
Notably, Egypt is participating in the UPR process for the fourth time, a critical international mechanism where countries share their human rights efforts and receive recommendations from other member states. The goal is to strengthen national efforts to improve human rights conditions through an exchange of experiences and best practices.