Egypt Launches Development Projects to Overcome Ukrainian War Impact

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Launches Development Projects to Overcome Ukrainian War Impact

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Egyptian government seeks to overcome the impacts of the Russian-Ukrainian war, that led to a surge in inflation rates globally, through various development projects.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated on Monday the integrated animal, dairy production complex and mechanized slaughterhouses in Sadat City in Menoufia Governorate.

He affirmed in his opening remarks that Cairo is exerting great efforts to control the prices.

The complex can house up to 5,000 dairy cattle with a production capacity of 1.5 tons of beef cattle.

It also includes a scientific center with a veterinary hospital and six sub-farms in addition to two incinerators for safe disposal of biological waste.

It aims at developing livestock resources to achieve the citizens’ needs and provide job opportunities.

The measures taken by the Egyptian government over the past years have contributed to “raising” the growth rates of livestock production, Sisi explained.

He underscored the importance of increasing production rates in various fields to achieve self-sufficiency and export the surplus while benefiting from the agricultural lands to control production costs in light of population growth and surge in global prices.

Sisi further pointed out that prices in Egypt should have been much higher than their current rates.

However, he said the state is keen on maintaining stable fuel and energy prices, noting that it has postponed a scheduled increase in electricity prices several times to alleviate the burden on citizens.

He called on the private sector to take part in the field of livestock production, given its better work mechanisms and capacities.

The Egyptian President said that inflation rates have risen dramatically in European and Western countries as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war, noting their huge potential and stable population rate.

According to recent data by the country’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt’s annual urban consumer inflation accelerated to a slower-than-expected 13.5% year-on-year in May, the highest since March 2019.

This rate comes in light of rising commodity and fuel prices around the world.

Among the world's biggest wheat importers, Egypt is heavily reliant on shipments from Ukraine and Russia, and its government has been seeking alternative supplies from countries including India and France.



Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
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Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged on Thursday Houthi leaders to reduce national and regional escalation and release the detained UN staff and other humanitarian personnel.
The envoy stressed his determination to safeguard the progress made to date on the peace roadmap, which has been frozen since Houthis have stepped up their attacks against shipping routes in the Red Sea corridor.
Grundberg’s comments came on Thursday as he concluded a visit to Sanaa, his first to the Yemeni capital since May 2023.
The visit comes amid hopes that his efforts would prepare the ground for concrete actions for advancing the peace process in the country.
In a statement, Grundberg said he held discussions with senior political and military officials to renew engagement on the political process, focusing on addressing challenges and exploring possibilities for advancing peace within the region’s complex context.
During his meetings with Houthi leaders, the special envoy stressed the importance of national and regional de-escalation to foster an environment conducive to dialogue.
He urged the need for concrete actions to pave the way forward for a political process to achieve sustainable peace and stability across Yemen.
Grundberg’s discussions also highlighted the importance of taking steps to address economic challenges and improve living conditions, while simultaneously advancing preparations for a ceasefire – critical components of the road map and reaching a political resolution that meets the aspirations of Yemenis.
“I am determined to safeguard the progress made to date on the roadmap and keep focus on the prospects for peace in Yemen,” Grundberg noted.
Discussions on the conflict-related detainees file built on the progress made during negotiations held in Oman in July 2024.
The envoy emphasized that the file is vital for confidence building between the parties and advancing previous commitments.
He then underscored the importance of prioritizing this humanitarian issue as a step toward fostering trust that can help enable broader agreements and signal commitment to the peace process.
Protection of Civil Society
The Special Envoy started his visit to Sanaa at the home of the family of his colleague who has been arbitrarily detained by Houthis since June 2024.
He expressed his deepest compassion for what they have been enduring during this difficult period and offered his support, a statement by his office said.
Grundberg then updated the family on the UN efforts to secure the release of all arbitrarily detained personnel.
He also expressed solidarity with the families of the other detainees, acknowledging their shared anguish and the urgent need for their loved ones' release.
In all his discussions, the envoy strongly urged Houthis to release immediately and unconditionally the detained personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
Grundberg then echoed the Secretary General’s message that the arbitrary detentions are unacceptable and constitute a violation of international law.
“We must protect the role of civil society and humanitarian personnel. They make vital contributions to peace and rebuilding Yemen,” stated the Special Envoy.
Grundberg arrived in Yemen after holding talks with Omani officials in Muscat. Present at the talks was Houthi spokesman and chief negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam.
The envoy is hoping to make a breakthrough in the Yemeni crisis after his efforts stalled with the Houthis launching their attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
The Visit’s Agenda
Grundberg, a Swedish diplomat, is in Sanaa as part of his efforts to push the Houthis to take concrete actions for advancing the peace process.
He will also be pushing for the release of the arbitrarily detained UN personnel and also from other NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.
The envoy said he plans to conduct a series of national and regional meetings in the coming days under his mediation efforts.