Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated on Monday the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum (WYF), which has become a platform for dialogue and communication among the youth and a platform for exchanging views among the whole world.
Speaking at the ceremony in Sharm El-Sheik, Sisi focused on tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of others, reiterating the importance of supporting the youth.
He showed great confidence in his country's ability to overcome challenges, noting that Egypt achieved a growth rate of 3.3 percent in 2021 despite the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Egyptian economy is ready to avoid greater shocks caused by the pandemic, he stressed.
The ceremony was attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, representing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his wife, and Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II.
It also included a large number of Egyptian, Arab and foreign politicians, ministers, ambassadors, and media professionals.
"The World Youth Forum has become a platform for dialogue and communication among young people, and a tool for exchanging visions between the entire world, especially at this crucial moment in human history," said Sisi.
He pointed to the role of the Decent Life Initiative in boosting the lives of 60 million Egyptians in rural areas, adding that the program targets spending about EGP700 billion over the next three years.
"These initiatives aimed to support temporary employment during the pandemic and ensure that national projects did not stop."
He pointed out that the post-pandemic world is entirely different, adding that despite the outbreak, national and other projects continued in Egypt, unlike other countries of the world.
"Humanity has no way of overcoming the challenges its very existence faces and the current crisis except through good intentions and ending conflicts," he said.
Sisi highlighted the health initiatives implemented before the pandemic, such as the initiative to treat Hepatitis C, noting that these presidential initiatives contributed significantly in reducing the number of infections and deaths from the coronavirus in the country.
Itziar Ituno, a Spanish actress known for her role in the La Casa de Papel series, attended the ceremony. She addressed the audience in Arabic and said it was an honor for her to be part of the Forum with young people from around the world.
Ituno stressed the importance of culture and its role in the light of the pandemic.
In a recorded video speech, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Forum is "a great" opportunity for youth to exchange expertise, create a better future, and improve health.
"Most of the world's population is young people under the age of 30… The future is within their hands, and they are facing the challenges of today and tomorrow, including climate change, pollution, health, and others," he added.
Tedros asserted that the minds of the youth are inexhaustible from innovative ideas.
Under the theme "COVID-19: A warning to Humanity and A New Hope", the opening session of the WYF started with the contributions from a number of experts, inspiring youths, prominent international figures, and youth groups from around the world.
The attendees agreed on the need to focus on the effects of the pandemic on younger generations and the importance of listening to their views.
Meanwhile, the UAE's Minister of State for Youth Affairs Shamma al-Mazrui received a standing ovation during his speech in the conference hall for saying Egypt is in "the heart of all Arabs," describing it as her second homeland.
She recalled the words of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who said Egypt has a special place in the hearts of the Emirates.
Mazrui said her country has a great vision in involving youth in government and leadership, asserting that the pandemic is a challenge for the "status quo and also an opportunity to empower youth."
Speaking at the Forum, US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen said the US and Egypt have worked together to combat COVID-19, saying this has been part of a "very broad and deep strategic partnership" between their countries.
The US administration has contributed over $50 million in helping Egypt combat COVID-19 through assistance and relief, noted Cohen, adding that it donated various medical devices.
The US provided nearly 16 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to Egypt in partnership with COVAX over these past two years.
