Dr. Hanan Youssef: Our road to the United Nations is paved by both the country’s stability and the presidential activities abroad.
The organization launches a campaign in Arabic and English to support Egypt’s nomination.
Dr. Hanan Youssef, President of the Arab Organization for Dialogue and International Cooperation, praised the active efforts of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his multiple tours abroad during the past year, in order to clarify the correct Egyptian image. Youssef also acknowledged the diplomatic campaign led by the Egyptian government on an African, Asian, European and Arab scale, considering it one of the most important factors that would enable Egypt to acquire the non-permanent seat for North Africa for the period 2016-2017 in the United Nations Security Council. Upon obtaining the seat, which would be determined by the elections on October 15, 2015, Egypt would have held that position for five times since the Security Council was founded in 1945.
Youssef also valued President Sisi’s speech at the United Nations, in which he called for a temporary membership after more than 18 years of absence from the Security Council. His speech ascertained Egypt’s eligibility for the seat, highlighting the country’s efforts domestically and on an international level to maintain stability, security and peace. In addition to these efforts, Egypt has also launched the youth “Hope and Work” initiative that Egypt will fulfill through obtaining the seat.
A statement issued by the Arab Organization confirmed the presence of positive indications of Egypt’s nomination for the African seat, especially given the massive Arab and African support for Cairo, as well as its unique and powerful relations in the diplomatic sphere. Furthermore, the past year has witnessed accomplishments and domestic stability, not to mention Egypt’s robust participation in peace-keeping operations, prominently in Africa, as Egypt is the third ranking country in terms of peace-keeping operations with regards to the Organisation international de la Francophonie (OIF).
Egypt has the unprecedented support of both the African and Arab groups in the United Nations to obtain the non-permanent member seat in the Security Council for the period 2016-2017. Egypt is the Arab nominee for the 2016-2017 membership period, following Jordan – the current Arab member – as the Arab nations rotate their nominations every two years; once for Asian and the other for Africa. Part of the massive support for Egypt’s nomination for the Security Council is represented by the countries that supported Egypt after the June 30 revolution and also attended the opening ceremony of the New Suez Canal project.
The organization stressed the appropriate timing for this nomination, since Egypt has priority due to its long period of absence from the Council. Obtaining the seat will enable Egypt to serve the Arab and African interests by raising prominent issues at the Security Council. This means that Egypt must have diplomatic momentum and sustained efforts over the next two years.
Egypt possesses both qualities, hence it will be able to lead the Arab nations out of the current crises and bring them back to their esteemed places on the political and economic map of the world.
The organization called for the necessity of fortifying the official and civil efforts to promote Egypt’s nomination for the Security Council. The efforts encouraged are in the form of consolidating the official and public relations with the Regional Group represented by the North African countries. An official, public, civil diplomatic campaign is of utmost importance to demonstrate Egypt’s position and value in the African continent, Middle East, and the entire world.
The statement entailed that the only obstacle that may prevent Egypt’s membership is represented by the Muslim Brotherhood’s attempts to destabilize the country’s status and promote rumors of not being on a democratic track. These allegations are worthless, falsified by the decisive response on the basis that democratic activity in Egypt goes according to a specific map and publicly known implementation, and that the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2015 represent a clear statement about the current expeditious transition to democracy in Egypt.
Cairo 9-10-2015