As an annual tradition, the UN Country Team in Egypt commemorated UN Day through a number of events aimed at reaching a wide audience.

In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a reception for Ambassadors, heads of UN agencies, and senior government officials. H.E Ambassador Ahmed Fathalla, First Under Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the roughly 100 guests before yielding the floor to the UN Resident Coordinator who gave a speech on behalf of the UN family.

In his speech, Mr. James W. Rawley referred to the dramatic events occurred in Egypt at the beginning of the year and recalled the position of the UN in response to this call for change,

“We will continue to work with the Government and our other national partners to put in place key building blocks for the transition, which have been identified by the Secretary-General as: “free and vibrant political parties; a fully inclusive Constituent Assembly; new programmes for social equity and inclusive economic growth; a renewed emphasis on quality education; open space for civil society groups driving change; full freedom of religion, media and assembly; and equal rights for women and minorities””.

 

 To read the speech in english: