CAIRO — Egypt’s growing role in global economic governance was spotlighted this week as Ambassador Ragui El-Etreby, personal representative of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the G20, described the Cairo food security meeting as a landmark moment for both Egypt and the developing world.
In an exclusive interview, El-Etreby emphasized that hosting the meeting in Cairo marked the first time since the G20’s creation in 1999 that a working group session was held outside a member state or the rotating presidency a recognition of Egypt’s substantive contributions to the forum.
“The Cairo meeting crowns Egypt’s consistent engagement in the G20,” he said. “It reflects our determination to ensure that developing nations’ voices and priorities are heard at the highest levels.”
The discussions came at a time of volatile food prices, climate-driven agricultural pressures, and humanitarian crises, particularly in Gaza. According to El-Etreby, the Cairo session achieved consensus on stabilizing food supplies, strengthening storage capacity, and building resilient global supply chains.
Egypt and South Africa jointly steered negotiations, paving the way for a ministerial statement to be adopted in Cape Town on September 19, ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November.
Beyond diplomacy, El-Etreby highlighted Egypt’s own domestic agricultural expansion, support for smallholder farmers, and participation in the Hunger and Poverty Alliance as concrete contributions to global food security.
He also underscored Cairo’s call for urgent humanitarian access to Gaza, warning that “starvation must never be weaponized against civilians.”
Looking ahead, El-Etreby said Egypt is committed to strengthening South–South coalitions, advancing climate adaptation, and deepening its cooperation with the G20. “Our engagement aims to elevate both Egypt’s development agenda and the collective interests of the Global South,” he stressed.
With its expanding influence, Egypt is positioning itself not only as a regional leader but also as a pivotal voice in shaping fairer, more inclusive multilateral solutions to global crises.
