Egypt Calls for Increasing Response to Food Security Challenges in Developing Countries

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat, at the Investing in Net Zero: Leading the Way conference (Ministry of International Cooperation)
Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat, at the Investing in Net Zero: Leading the Way conference (Ministry of International Cooperation)
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Egypt Calls for Increasing Response to Food Security Challenges in Developing Countries

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat, at the Investing in Net Zero: Leading the Way conference (Ministry of International Cooperation)
Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat, at the Investing in Net Zero: Leading the Way conference (Ministry of International Cooperation)

Egypt has called for boosting the response to the food security challenges in developing countries.

The Foreign Ministry said Egypt submitted a draft resolution to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on enhancing the organization's response to food security challenges in developing, net food-importing countries, and least developed countries.

The draft resolution will be discussed at WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (M12), held in Geneva between June 12 and 15.

Egypt's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ahmed Ihab Gamaleddin, said Egypt submitted the resolution on behalf of the Arab and African groups and the least developed countries after intensive consultations with member states.

The draft resolution is part of the Egyptian government's efforts to deal with the global economic crisis and its impact on food security in developing countries, in general, and Egypt.

The resolution aims at securing practical solutions for farmers and food producers and boosting grain production in these countries during the crisis, following the relevant rules of the WTO.

It also calls for spreading awareness about the severe harm caused to developing countries' economies by the record rise in food and energy prices.

Gamaleddin said the current global food crisis is part of a more significant crisis the world economy has been facing since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in economic growth, high inflation rates, disruption of global supply chains, and huge debts.

The diplomat said it requires enhancing international solidarity through the relevant international organizations, chief among which is the WTO.

He added that solidarity should grant the net food-importing developing countries and LDCs the flexibility to deal with exceptional circumstances that impact their food security.

Meanwhile, the Minister of International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat, said that strengthening climate action, combating the negative repercussions of climate change, and reducing harmful emissions, will only come through constructive partnerships between relevant parties.

Mashat was speaking at a forum organized by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European University Institute (EUI) on Investing in Net Zero: Leading the Way to discuss investments needed to attain net zero emissions and the European Union's global leadership in mobilizing the necessary climate finance.

Mashat explained that, through its presidency of COP27, Egypt seeks to build on what has been achieved in Glasgow, reiterate the importance of achieving the principles of the Paris Climate Agreement and other climate agreements, and push global efforts aimed at reaching the transition to a green economy.



Etihad Airways Adds Damascus to its Network

Etihad Airways Airbus A320-200 is seen at the National Airport Minsk, Belarus April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko/File photo
Etihad Airways Airbus A320-200 is seen at the National Airport Minsk, Belarus April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko/File photo
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Etihad Airways Adds Damascus to its Network

Etihad Airways Airbus A320-200 is seen at the National Airport Minsk, Belarus April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko/File photo
Etihad Airways Airbus A320-200 is seen at the National Airport Minsk, Belarus April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko/File photo

Etihad Airways expanded its global network announcing Damascus as its new destination in the Middle East, starting from June 2026.

The new route reflects growing demand from travellers in the UAE and GCC to connect directly to Damascus, state news agency WAM reported.

Etihad’s new airbridge with Damascus also provides travellers from Syria with direct access to Abu Dhabi.

Service to Damascus will commence in June 2026 with four weekly flights, operated by Etihad’s Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring eight Business seats and 150 Economy seats.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "This new route reflects our commitment to connecting people to the places that matter most to them."

He added: "We are proud to expand our network into Damascus – one of the world’s most historic and culturally important cities – and to support the Syrian population with direct links to and from Abu Dhabi, as well as convenient onward connections across our global network.”


Oil Edges Higher as Traders Weigh Rate Cut with Worries over US Economy

An aerial view shows tugboats helping a crude oil tanker to berth at an oil terminal, off Waidiao Island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China July 18, 2022. cnsphoto via REUTERS/File Photo
An aerial view shows tugboats helping a crude oil tanker to berth at an oil terminal, off Waidiao Island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China July 18, 2022. cnsphoto via REUTERS/File Photo
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Oil Edges Higher as Traders Weigh Rate Cut with Worries over US Economy

An aerial view shows tugboats helping a crude oil tanker to berth at an oil terminal, off Waidiao Island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China July 18, 2022. cnsphoto via REUTERS/File Photo
An aerial view shows tugboats helping a crude oil tanker to berth at an oil terminal, off Waidiao Island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China July 18, 2022. cnsphoto via REUTERS/File Photo

Oil prices edged higher on Thursday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates as traders weighed the start of looser monetary policy against concerns about the US economy.

Brent crude futures were up 34 cents, or 0.5%, at $68.29 a barrel by 1140 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate futures added 37 cents, or 0.6%, to $64.42.

The Fed cut its policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday and indicated it will steadily lower borrowing costs over the rest of the year, responding to signs of weakness in the jobs market.

Lower borrowing costs typically boost demand for oil and push prices higher, Reuters reported.

Persistent oversupply and soft fuel demand in the US, the world's biggest oil consumer, weighed on the market.

US crude oil stockpiles fell sharply last week as net imports dropped to a record low while exports jumped to a near two-year high, data from the Energy Information Administration showed on Wednesday.

A rise in distillate stockpiles by 4 million barrels, however, against market expectations of a gain of 1 million barrels raised worries about demand in the world's top oil consumer and pressured prices.


Kuwait Oil Minister Expects Demand Boost after US Rate Cut

Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi. KUNA
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi. KUNA
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Kuwait Oil Minister Expects Demand Boost after US Rate Cut

Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi. KUNA
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi. KUNA

Kuwait's Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi said on Thursday he anticipated higher oil demand following the recent US interest rate cut, particularly from Asian markets.

The US Federal Reserve, goaded by the risk of rising unemployment, reduced interest rates on Wednesday for the first time since December.

According to Reuters, the minister also expects a positive impact on oil prices if new sanctions are imposed on Russia.

President Donald Trump said on Saturday the US was prepared to impose
fresh energy sanctions on Russia, but only if all NATO nations ceased purchasing Russian oil and implemented similar measures.

"It will most likely have a positive impact on prices," the Kuwaiti oil minister said.