Egypt’s FM meets with IAEA director general in New Alamein

CAIRO – 10 July 2026: Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdelatty, met on Thursday with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in New Alamein.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of Grossi's visit to Egypt to participate in the installation ceremony for the reactor pressure vessel of Unit 2 at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

Minister Abdelatty expressed his appreciation for the close cooperation between Egypt and the IAEA. He commended Grossi's participation in the El Dabaa ceremony, noting that it reflects the deep partnership in implementing Egypt's peaceful nuclear program under the patronage and support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

He emphasized that the El Dabaa plant is a strategic national project and a cornerstone for diversifying energy sources, promoting clean energy, and supporting the state's sustainable development goals.

The Foreign Minister also expressed deep appreciation for the technical support provided to Egypt through the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme. This ongoing collaboration contributes to the development of Egypt's peaceful nuclear program by supporting the El Dabaa project, upgrading research reactors, training national personnel, and strengthening institutional and technical capacities in the nuclear field.

Furthermore, Minister Abdelatty affirmed Egypt's full support for the IAEA's safeguards and verification system under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). He emphasized the importance of achieving NPT universality as the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime, stressing Egypt's desire to maintain close coordination with the agency.

The meeting also addressed regional developments. Minister Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's intensive efforts and contacts with various regional and international parties to defuse crises and contain escalating tensions, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to preserve regional security.

Additionally, Abdelatty highlighted the importance of building upon the opportunities presented by the recent memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. He noted that the MoU supports the resumption of serious negotiations, contributes to regional de-escalation, and creates the conditions necessary for a sustainable diplomatic settlement.

For his part, Rafael Grossi expressed his appreciation for the partnership between the IAEA and Egypt, commending the progress made on the El Dabaa plant, which he noted is one of the largest peaceful nuclear energy projects in Africa. He also praised Egypt's vital role in supporting regional security, reducing tensions, and prioritizing diplomacy across the region.