Sisi Emphasizes Importance of Proper Utilization of State Resources and Strengthening Trust in Institutions

Cairo – Khadija Hamouda: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing state resources, consolidating trust in state institutions, and ensuring the security of the domestic front, particularly given the diversity and multiplicity of methods used in attempts to harm the Egyptian state and the persistence of such efforts.

This came during a meeting held yesterday between President el-Sisi, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, and the full membership of the Cabinet and the Governors’ Council, along with several senior officials, leaders of the Armed Forces and Civil Police, and a group of village mayors and sheikhs from various Egyptian governorates, as well as a number of experts and specialists. The meeting took place at the Strategic Command Headquarters in the New Capital.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, stated that President el-Sisi opened the meeting by affirming his commitment to holding such meetings on a continuous and periodic basis to exchange views and opinions, taking into account that the state faces numerous challenges. He stressed the importance of effectively utilizing state resources, consolidating trust in institutions, and ensuring the security of the domestic front, especially given the varied and persistent attempts to harm Egypt.

President el-Sisi affirmed that the awareness of Egyptians is a shield, noting that the events Egypt witnessed between 2011 and 2013 resulted in a contraction of the Egyptian economy, and that recovery from this could take up to 15 years. He added that the greatest challenge after 2013 was preserving the state and its institutions.

The spokesman clarified that the President pointed out that Egypt has faced economic shocks since 2020, including the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the war on the Gaza Strip. He noted that attempts at displacement and destabilization will not end, and affirmed that Egypt’s strategic choice is peace, established by the late President and wise leader Anwar Sadat. He stressed that Egypt has no hidden agenda, and that the Palestinian issue remains the central issue in the Middle East. He added that its unresolved status is a cause of instability in the region, and that the two-state solution represents the only path to achieving lasting peace and stability.

President el-Sisi also indicated that the constants of Egypt’s foreign policy include supporting and backing the security and stability of brothers in the Arab Gulf countries. He affirmed the necessity of maintaining freedom of navigation in maritime passages in accordance with international law, and noted that Egypt lost approximately $20 billion in Suez Canal revenues in recent years due to the instability witnessed in the region.

The spokesman stated that President el-Sisi clarified that the tools used to attempt to harm Egypt are numerous and varied, with some being utilized through social media platforms. He stressed the necessity for the state to develop its various tools to preserve national assets, noting that the least costly means of destroying any state is attempting to lure its people into doing the job themselves.

In this regard, President el-Sisi affirmed the strength of the Egyptian state, its institutions, and the awareness of its people. He highlighted the need for officials to demonstrate greater confidence, emphasizing that preserving Egypt is a collective responsibility. He called for cohesion on the domestic front, which requires the concerted efforts of all institutions and citizens.

The spokesman noted that the President mentioned that while some may believe solutions are difficult, he does not see it that way, pointing out that Egypt possesses immense resources that must be utilized effectively.

President el-Sisi affirmed his interest in meeting with a number of mayors to listen to their ideas, noting that Egypt has 4,500 villages comprising 50% of the Egyptian population. In this context, the mayor of Al-Sarariya village in Samalut Center, Minya Governorate, spoke. He expressed his appreciation for the invitation to mayors to participate in this meeting for the first time, mentioning that a committee of intellectuals had been formed in his village. The committee agreed to respond to all rumors, affirming that good work is a deterrent to rumors. He outlined the practical efforts and steps taken for the benefit of his village’s residents, including supporting the most needy families, registering orphaned children to provide necessary care, organizing a Quran memorization competition, and combating the phenomenon of child marriage. President el-Sisi praised the mayor’s statements, affirming that he represents a positive model to be emulated.

The spokesman added that the President noted that wars aim to spread frustration and despair, halt construction, and assassinate officials morally while discouraging others from joining the government. He called on officials to exert their utmost effort and emphasized the necessity of institutionalized action to mobilize this strength to ensure the preservation and stability of the state. He pointed out that positive work leaves a positive impact on others and contributes simultaneously to building a strong society.

President el-Sisi stressed the need for cohesion among all institutions to achieve this, noting that, for example, preachers from the Ministry of Endowments and priests could play a role in raising public awareness about the dangers of undermining the state. This could include daily speeches in schools to increase awareness of the dangers of state collapse, implemented as a continuous institutional effort.

In this context, President el-Sisi stated that the goal of training courses provided by the Egyptian Military Academy to new employees in all ministries is to give them a comprehensive overview of the dimensions of Egyptian national security before they begin their work.

He clarified that Egypt possesses tools that, if utilized, will yield positive results, and that the state seeks to maintain high public morale and avoid frustration. He stressed the necessity for officials to treat citizens well when providing services.

The spokesman stated that the Ministers of Transport, Health and Population, Local Development, Interior, Electricity and Renewable Energy, Finance, Education and Technical Education, Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, and Higher Education and Scientific Research presented the most important achievements over the past ten years. They affirmed that the focus was on improving the quality of services provided to citizens and addressing all chronic challenges and problems inherited over the years through decisive and bold solutions.

In this regard, the President stressed the necessity of taking all required measures for the benefit of citizens and improving the services provided to them. He directed the Ministry of Interior to rationalize the costs of vehicle licenses, reiterating the importance of treating citizens well.

He also affirmed the necessity of focusing on educational merit, stressing that building and developing Egypt and achieving the desired reforms and development are a collective responsibility borne by all officials.

The spokesman added that President el-Sisi insisted on having lunch with students of the Egyptian Military Academy, accompanied by all ministers, governors, Armed Forces leaders, Ministry of Interior officials, and all participants in the meeting. An interactive dialogue with the students took place, covering topics including the water issue, Ethiopian dams, artificial intelligence, and developments in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb.

In this context, the President affirmed that the state gives due space to diplomacy and peaceful solutions regarding the Ethiopian dams issue, but that this will not come at the expense of Egypt’s existence and its people. He added that the Ethiopian dam was built only as a result of the events the state witnessed between 2011 and 2013, and the absence of the state. He noted that the price Egypt paid in 2011 was very high, and that he chose to mention this today to ensure the preservation of Egypt.

At the same time, the President indicated that the state is making strenuous efforts to increase its water resources, including seawater desalination, water treatment, and recycling.

Regarding the topic of artificial intelligence, President el-Sisi stressed the necessity of focusing on the quality of education, as this will provide the opportunity to produce generations capable of dealing with and keeping pace with major technological developments. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the positive aspects of artificial intelligence while guarding against its negative aspects.

Commenting on developments in the region, the President noted that these developments have led to an increase in oil and basic commodity prices, which has been reflected in prices in Egypt. He affirmed that the Egyptian state is making every necessary effort to reduce escalation in the region and avoid a resumption of fighting.