Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi witnessed on Monday the opening of the eighth Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli, Finance Minister Mohammed Maait and a galaxy of state officials are attending the two-day meetings, along with participants from 106 countries, partners, business leaders, civil society organizations and experts from a range of fields from all around the world.
This year’s annual meeting marks AIIB’s first in-person Annual Meeting since 2019, and the first one in Africa.
The theme of the Eighth Annual Meeting is “Sustainable Growth in a Challenging World,” which highlights AIIB’s continued commitment to supporting the key infrastructure demands of its Members, and alludes to the climate-centered global agenda, and the compounding challenges faced by its Members.
Addressing the opening session of the annual meetings of AIIB, AIIB President Jin Liqun said Egypt witnessed a big leap in growth of infrastructure under President Sisi.
He also praised Egypt’s achievements in establishing the New Administrative Capital, which he viewed as the best projects carried out by the State.
Finance Minister Mohamed Maeet, for his part, said the eighth annual meetings of AIIB affirmed Egypt’s leading role at the regional and international arenas through holding a number of vital events.
He shed light on Egypt’s efforts to reinforce its international co-operation among the region’s states and across the continents.
Maeet reiterated Cairo’s backing for the comprehensive and sustainable development axes that could bring about prosperity and wellbeing for all peoples of the world.
A documentary was displayed on cooperation between the AIIB and Egypt in light of current challenges of climate change, population increase, among others.
The film underlined the bank’s role, since its establishment in 2015 involving 57 states, in supporting the governments that seek to support the eco-friendly infrastructure backed with the state-of-the-art technologies. It said the AIIB has been able to carry out 233 projects worth $44.6 billion in 35 states in the field of infrastructure.
The film also shed light on Egypt’s weight and its political and economic position as a founding member of AIIB, in addition to being the biggest supporter in Africa and the Middle East with a funding share of $650 million.
Following the end of the opening session, President Sisi participated in a debate session on the role of AIIB in channeling the private sector’s capitals to investment in the infrastructure with the aim of creating job opportunities and achieving development goals.
Source: The Egyptian Gazette
