Egyptian Prime Minister Calls for Change in Global Order

Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Kamal Madbouly addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, advocating for a significant overhaul of the international order. He believes that Egypt is in a unique position to help lead this change due to its rich Arab, African, and Mediterranean heritage.

In his extensive speech, Madbouly touched on a variety of global issues but was often vague about the specifics—like who exactly he was referring to. His proposed solutions lacked clarity, frequently suggesting a U.N.-managed multilateral framework without detailing who would bear the financial burden needed to ensure “fairness” in technology, economics, and global influence.

He pointed out that countries in the Global South, representing the majority of the world, are particularly affected by the deteriorating state of international law and governance. “It is no coincidence,” he noted, emphasizing that these nations are suffering due to the weakening of global cooperation frameworks.

While he mentioned several ongoing conflicts, he only named Israel when critiquing the Gaza War, echoing sentiments common among Middle Eastern leaders. Yet, he notably sidestepped discussing the origins of the conflict and only briefly referenced Sudan.

Madbouly characterized the “Palestinian issue” as a prime example of the current dysfunction in the international system, saying, “What the Palestinian people have endured must not become a normalized reality or a protracted crisis.”

He endorsed President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza as a potential pathway to resolution but accused Israel of ongoing violations that need to be addressed. He expressed Egypt’s firm opposition to any attempts to displace Palestinians, emphasizing that peace cannot be built on the displacement of a people or by managing an occupation.

Madbouly’s demands were straightforward: an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This was notably one of the few specific solutions he offered, contrasting with his broader suggestions about forming balanced multilateral committees.

He called for “inalienable rights” for Palestinians, insisting they should not be treated as bargaining chips influenced by political gamesmanship. Transitioning his focus, he touched on how no nation should build its security at the expense of its neighbors, subtly directing critiques toward Iran and its allies in Yemen.

On the topic of Egypt’s own interests, particularly regarding water security threatened by Ethiopian dam projects, Madbouly stated that the Nile River is not just an economic resource but vital for Egypt’s very existence. “We do not oppose the right of any people to development,” he clarified, insisting that development shouldn’t harm others.

He briefly addressed the civil war in Sudan, highlighting Egypt’s support for its people but refraining from taking sides among the conflicting factions. Also, he called for a reformation of the U.N. Security Council, arguing that its current structure is outdated and fails to accurately represent modern global dynamics.

Madbouly expressed concern over the historical injustices suffered by Africa within the U.N. and the lack of fair access to financial institutions for developing nations. He advocated for debt restructuring, emphasizing that countries shouldn’t have to choose between servicing debts and addressing vital social needs.

“Development is not charity. It is a right and a shared interest,” he asserted, reflecting a key theme of his address.

Highlighting the importance of staying relevant in the AI revolution, Madbouly warned that it could lead to a significant wealth gap linked to technological capabilities. He proposed establishing governance frameworks for AI that would view technology as a global public good rather than a privilege for a select few.

Moreover, he advocated for AI to represent the world’s cultural diversity, ensuring fair representation of Arab and African languages and cultures. Essentially, Madbouly’s call to action revolves around global redistribution of wealth and technology, envisioning a more equitable framework where African nations, including Egypt, play a central role. He also promoted climate policy as a means to achieve development and create job opportunities, reinforcing the expectation that established industrial nations should finance these efforts.