Egypt’s FM calls for ending double-standard policy, reforming international institutions

CAIRO – 19 October 2025 – Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, delivered a keynote address at the opening session of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development on Sunday. The session, titled "Overcoming the Crossroads: Restoring Confidence in the Rules-Based International Order," brought together high-level officials and international representatives to discuss pressing global challenges.

In his remarks, Minister Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s central role in advancing regional and international peace, security, and development. He reiterated Egypt’s commitment to a rules-based international order, emphasizing a foreign policy grounded in strategic balance, respect for international law, the preservation of state institutions, and support for multilateral cooperation and sustainable development.

The minister also outlined Egypt’s comprehensive and balanced approach to sustainable security, highlighting its active role in key regional and international organizations, including the Arab League, the African Union, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. He further noted Egypt’s engagement in the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77, and BRICS as evidence of its commitment to inclusive global dialogue.

Abdelatty stressed that Egypt consistently advocates for a more equitable multilateral system—one that reflects the aspirations of the Global South, especially African nations. He called for increased dialogue and stronger regional and international partnerships to address common challenges.

Addressing the global institutional framework, the Foreign Minister emphasized the urgent need to reform international organizations to reflect today’s geopolitical and economic realities. He specifically called for restructuring the UN Security Council and international financial institutions, urging an end to double standards and stressing the importance of holding countries accountable to their international commitments.

He also highlighted the importance of strengthening solidarity, collective action, and shared responsibility in the face of global crises. He advocated for development-centered strategies and comprehensive approaches to tackling the root causes of conflict and instability.

Other prominent speakers at the forum’s opening session included Mr. Tite António, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union; Ms. Salma Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Mr. Parfait Onanga, UN Special Envoy to the African Union; and Mr. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.

The Minister also participated on Sunday in a key session titled "Restoring Hope: Aligning Efforts to Achieve Peace and Development in Sudan," held as part of ongoing international efforts to address the crisis in Sudan.

In his remarks, Dr. Abdelatty outlined the core principles guiding Egypt’s foreign policy toward Sudan and other regional issues. He stressed that there is no military solution to the Sudanese crisis and that preserving the unity and integrity of the Sudanese nation-state must remain a top priority.

He underscored Egypt’s firm stance on non-interference in Sudan’s internal affairs, the need to respect its full sovereignty, and the critical importance of upholding the principle of “one state, one authority, and one weapon.”

The Foreign Minister called for the urgent establishment of a humanitarian truce as a necessary first step toward achieving a lasting ceasefire. He emphasized that any political resolution must be Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned—developed through a comprehensive political process that reflects the will and participation of the Sudanese people.

The session focused on pathways to a comprehensive and sustainable resolution to the conflict, exploring opportunities for reaching a ceasefire, defining the priorities of the post-conflict phase, and identifying how the international community can effectively contribute. All discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring national ownership of the peace process to foster long-term stability and security in Sudan.