Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, held a series of high-level meetings on Friday with his counterparts from Somalia, Palestine, Iran, and Uzbekistan. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ extraordinary session, focusing on regional security, economic cooperation, and Gaza’s reconstruction.
In his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Abdelatty emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation in the region. He urged restraint and highlighted Egypt’s commitment to diplomacy during this critical period. He also briefed Araghchi on the recent Arab Summit held in Cairo, where leaders agreed on a unified approach to Gaza’s recovery. Egypt plans to host an international conference in coordination with the Palestinian government and the United Nations to secure funding for the initiative.
Abdelatty also met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Mostafa to discuss ways to mobilize international support for the reconstruction plan. The Palestinian leadership commended Egypt’s role in hosting the summit and supporting the Palestinian cause. Mostafa expressed hope that the upcoming conference would help secure the necessary resources and praised Egypt’s efforts in consolidating the ceasefire agreement.
Economic cooperation was a key focus of Abdelatty’s talks with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyar Saidov. They explored opportunities to strengthen business ties, particularly in textiles, infrastructure, and food industries. The two sides also discussed expanding collaboration in pharmaceuticals, including easing Egyptian pharmaceutical exports to Uzbekistan and exploring local manufacturing projects.
During his meeting with Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Faqi, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Somalia’s security and development. They discussed enhancing cooperation across various sectors and reviewed progress since the tripartite summit between Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea in October 2024. Both ministers stressed the importance of stronger coordination to tackle security challenges in the Horn of Africa. They also discussed Somalia’s plans for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and exchanged views on the latest developments in Gaza.
Egypt’s diplomatic engagements reflect its growing role in regional stability, from conflict resolution to economic partnerships. The meetings underscored Cairo’s commitment to fostering cooperation across Africa and the wider Islamic world.