Cairo, Abu Dhabi Call for Facing Attempts to Destabilize Regional Security

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (R) shakes hands with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan © The Egyptian Presidency / Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (R) shakes hands with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan © The Egyptian Presidency / Reuters
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Cairo, Abu Dhabi Call for Facing Attempts to Destabilize Regional Security

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (R) shakes hands with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan © The Egyptian Presidency / Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (R) shakes hands with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan © The Egyptian Presidency / Reuters

The United Arab Emirates and Egypt stressed on Monday the need to stand up against foreign intervention in Arab countries’ internal affairs and to intensify joint efforts to achieve the interests of the Arab nation.

The two sides also agreed on maintaining coordination to overcome challenges threatening regional security and stability.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi discussed with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, developments in the fight against terrorism, underlining the necessity to exert concerted efforts to counter the financing of terrorist groups and combat extremism and violence.

Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the strong bilateral ties between the UAE and Egypt, which, he said, were based on the values of understanding and agreement over regional and international issues.

“The Emirati-Egyptian coordination has proved its toughness over the past years in facing various challenges in the region, foremost of which is the challenge of terrorism, which has become a serious global threat that can not be tolerated, because it has spread in a manner that can not be ignored. This calls for a serious Arab, regional and international stand to face this threat, that targets everyone without exception," the Abu Dhabi crown prince said.

“The UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stands firmly with Egypt in its war against terrorism, which will not be able to hinder or disrupt the country’s vision of achieving development and progress, and the well-being of its people,” he added.

Sisi, for his part, highlighted Egypt’s keenness to maintain strong bilateral relations and coordination between the two countries at all levels, noting that the security of the Gulf States was an integral part of Egypt’s national security.

The Egyptian president arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday for a two-day official visit.



UNHCR Praises Saudi Support Amid Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center distributes food aid in the city of Umm Rawaba, North Kordofan State, Sudan (SPA)
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center distributes food aid in the city of Umm Rawaba, North Kordofan State, Sudan (SPA)
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UNHCR Praises Saudi Support Amid Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center distributes food aid in the city of Umm Rawaba, North Kordofan State, Sudan (SPA)
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center distributes food aid in the city of Umm Rawaba, North Kordofan State, Sudan (SPA)

A senior United Nations official has described the ongoing crisis in Sudan as one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies, yet also among the least funded. Less than 18 percent of the $1.8 billion needed to support relief operations in 2025 has been secured.

Mamadou Dian Balde, Regional Director of the UNHCR for East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes, and the agency’s regional refugee coordinator for Sudan, stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia’s continued support.

He noted that the Kingdom’s contribution remains vital to maintaining life-saving aid, especially at a time when global humanitarian funding is shrinking.

During a recent visit to Riyadh, Balde met with key Saudi officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation with UNHCR. His discussions focused on supporting over 27 million refugees and displaced individuals across East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and surrounding regions.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia’s partnership, both through direct aid and international collaboration, has played a crucial role in sustaining relief efforts in the face of the largest displacement crisis worldwide.

Balde’s visit included meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), the Saudi Fund for Development, and Islamic development institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development. He also consulted with humanitarian and religious organizations like the Muslim World League and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.

In Sudan, despite limited resources, UNHCR continues to deliver core services such as refugee registration, relocation to safer areas, and distribution of emergency supplies. This includes shelter kits, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, and kitchen essentials, as well as medical supplies and support for survivors of gender-based violence and unaccompanied children.

Balde highlighted the scale of the crisis, pointing to nearly 13 million Sudanese who have been displaced in just two years, with 4 million fleeing across borders. He warned that displacement is accelerating, citing the arrival of approximately 2,000 new refugees daily in Chad due to recent violence in North Darfur.

With only 11 percent of the regional response plan for Sudan funded, humanitarian actors face difficult choices, often unable to reach all those in need.

Looking ahead, UNHCR’s strategy combines emergency relief with long-term development.

Balde stressed the need to integrate refugees into national systems, improve host community services, and avoid parallel aid structures, Balde told Asharq Al-Awsat.

For 2025, the agency and its partners require $1.8 billion to assist 4.8 million people, including refugees, returnees, and local communities across the region.