OPINION:
Last year was characterized by chaos for much of the world as the war in Ukraine rattled global markets and supply chains. By contrast, the relationship between Egypt and the United States moved from strength to strength. Building on pillars of cooperation, we expanded our strategic partnership into new and vital areas.
2022 began with Egypt and the U.S. celebrating the centenary of diplomatic relations. It ended with the visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Washington for the U.S.-Africa summit in December, preceded by the visit of President Biden to Sharm El-Sheikh to participate in COP27 hosted by Egypt on behalf of Africa.
Capitalizing on the momentum generated in 2022, this year kicked off with the visit of CIA Director William Burns to Cairo, followed by the visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to solidify the strategic partnership and realize new potentials. The visits come at a time when increased coordination regarding many regional and global challenges is pivotal for safeguarding security and achieving mutual interests of both countries.
The centenary of relations between Egypt and the United States demonstrated not only the durability and strength of the bilateral partnership but also the potential the relationship holds. As Mr. Blinken said, there is “a lot of good history that we can make together in the months and years ahead.”
Egypt and the United States made significant strides in 2022, extending cooperation in science, trade and technology. One notable example was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce GreenTech Business Delegation visit to Egypt in May, which laid the foundation for additional cooperation on Egypt’s groundbreaking Comprehensive National Climate Strategy 2050 and investment in Egypt’s homegrown green technology entrepreneurs.
COP27 encapsulated the growing strength of our partnership as Egypt, and the United States worked closely to lay the groundwork for a breakthrough summit. Climate change is a challenge for all, especially for Africa, dealing with the fallout of mass use of fossil fuels by developed countries. Addressing this inequity was and remains a key aim, bringing together a global compact that will ensure a fairer approach to energy transition.
At COP27, Mr. Biden announced several initiatives and partnerships between Egypt and the United States to bolster cooperation in climate resilience. This included supporting Egypt’s Nexus for Water, Food and Energy platform, which will help Egypt to deploy 10 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, and bringing offline 5 GW of inefficient gas-powered facilities. In addition to announcing $150 million to help accelerate adaptation in Africa, the U.S. will also contribute $10 million to launch the new Cairo Center for Learning and Excellence on Adaptation and Resilience to assist Africa’s efforts to adapt to climate change.
Egypt has always been a pillar of regional security, working with the United States to advance ties across the region. Egypt pioneered the quest for peace in the region since establishing relations with Israel over 40 years ago. In 2023, Egypt will continue to play its role in supporting Palestinians and Israelis in creating the necessary conditions to resume peace talks in hope of realizing the two-state solution, which will provide further prosperity and security to both peoples, lead to encouraging Israel’s regional integration, and open new venues for cooperation between the Arab world and Israel.
In tandem, our joint endeavors to combat terrorist groups operating in the region continues with resolve. Our militaries work closely including in military exercises such as BrightStar and the International Maritime Exercise. The transfer of control of the International Red Sea Task Force to Egypt affirms the deepening ties between our armed forces as well as our shared commitment to deterring disruptive actors in the region.
Last year saw many milestones in the 100-year relationship of Egypt and the United States. It is worth reflecting on how we made significant strides in enhancing our strategic relationship by expanding military cooperation, solving complex diplomatic challenges in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean, and celebrating closer ties through economic partnership, with increased bilateral trade and the promise of fresh investment.
The next century of Egypt-U.S. relations is poised to unlock further avenues for cooperation and stronger ties. We will continue to share our rich cultural heritage with the United States and the world, most notably with the expected opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. This year heralds even greater progress in this mutually beneficial and reinforcing reliable bilateral relationship.
• Motaz Zahran is Egypt’s ambassador to the U.S.
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