Egypt national statement to the UN General Assembly, 78th session (2023) — delivered by FM Sameh Shoukry

In a world whose main attribute is interdependence and globalization, no one is secure unless everyone is secure. Simply put, the success of collective security is contingent upon the success of collective efforts and the effective application of principles inherent in the UN charter, and not on the selective application of these principles and practicing dual standards.

Within that context, and in order to address the historic injustice that has befallen the African continent, Egypt was and will remain an adamant proponent of both the Ezulweni consensus and the Sirte Declaration as the bases of Security Council expansion. Only the granting of two permanent seats for Africa, with full rights and privileges, is sufficient to correct this injustice done to our continent. […] Egypt aspires to contribute effectively to BRICS, in advocating for the interests and ambitions of the global south, which currently composes no less than 30% of the global economy.

Egypt relies on the river Nile for 98% of its water needs. Hence, we are extremely vulnerable to any unsustainable uses of its waters. […] We reject any unilateral measures pertaining to the management of cross-boundary water resources. A prime example of these measures is the Ethiopian dam, whose construction commenced without prior consultations or sufficient studies of any kind regarding its effects on riparian states. […] It would be a mistake to assume we can accept a fait accompli when it comes to the very lives of more than 100 million Egyptian citizens.

One of the cornerstones of reforming the international system is increasing its ability to promote human rights in their political, economic, social, and cultural aspects, away from politicization, double standards, or attempts to impose concepts disregarding cultural and social specificities; by which authority have some come to believe that their value system is superior to another? […] We firmly believe that the state and its institutions have the primary responsibility of upholding human rights.

Still, we continue to be alarmed at the deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territories due to the practices of the occupying forces. […] Egypt reiterates its position in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and to establish an independent Palestinian state on the lines of the 4th of June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the relevant international legitimacy resolutions.