President Sisi attends closing ceremony of Egypt Forum 2026

President Abdel Fattah Sisi attended the closing ceremony of the Egypt Forum 2026 on Saturday, which featured presentations reviewing the country’s development achievements, discussions on economic and energy challenges, and young Egyptians’ aspirations for the future. The ceremony opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a documentary titled “What Took Place at the Forum,” which reviewed key discussions and ideas raised during the forum’s sessions, Presidential Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed al-Shennawy said. President Sisi also greeted Mahmoud Mohamed, a young man with hearing and speech disabilities, who had expressed his wish to meet the president in a film screened during the opening session. The president also greeted Talia, a young girl who had performed with the opening ceremony choir. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly then delivered a presentation beginning with a chronological overview of major developments in Egypt between 2011 and 2014. He subsequently presented an interactive map showcasing projects and achievements implemented from 2014 to 2026. At the end of his presentation, Madbouly presented President El-Sisi with a book documenting the country’s achievements over the past 12 years. The second part of the ceremony featured a presentation titled “The Journey,” which reviewed the process of state-building and development projects implemented across various sectors, Shennawy said. An economic commentator then delivered a presentation on the challenges facing the energy sector amid recent regional crises and their economic repercussions. Three young influencers also presented key achievements made in recent years, each in their respective fields. The ceremony also featured a film titled “The Dream of a Generation,” in which children under the age of 13 from Generation Alpha spoke about their aspirations and dreams for the future and their vision of the Egypt they hope to see in the coming years. Prime Minister Madbouly subsequently announced the outcomes of the Egypt Forum 2026. President Sisi then invited former Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker to review achievements in the energy sector during a critical period and within a record timeframe. Shaker highlighted the president’s pivotal personal role in helping Egypt overcome an energy crisis, including securing the best possible prices from international companies and addressing the country’s severe electricity shortage. The presidential spokesperson added that the ceremony also featured success stories of outstanding Egyptians who had achieved international recognition in various fields. President al-Sisi joined them for a commemorative group photograph. In his speech, the president said: “Over the past few days of this Forum, we have together witnessed chapters of our nation’s journey. We have spoken extensively about Egypt; about a reality we live with all its challenges; about truths we sought to lay bare before you with complete transparency and clarity; about a State whose protection commands our every effort to solidify its foundation and safeguard its resources and national assets; and about a bright future, by the grace of Allah Almighty, to which we aspire and toward which we work with unwavering resolve and steadfast devotion.” “Through figures and facts, we reviewed the unprecedented achievements realized across our homeland, attainments that previously would have required long decades to accomplish.” “Together, we engaged in a rich, constructive dialogue, giving full weight to views, proposals, and ideas that contribute to shaping a vision for the future of this nation.” “I was keen to convene this Forum so that everyone may fully grasp the magnitude of the effort exerted, and continuing to be exerted, for Egypt, alongside our future aspirations within a collective framework that holds each and every one of us accountable to our responsibilities. For this nation belongs to all its sons and daughters, and upon every citizen rests the grave duty to safeguard it, preserve its stability, and chart its future,” the president said. “In conclusion of this Forum, I wish to pause with you to reflect upon a meaning that runs deeper than mere numbers, and endures longer than projects and accomplishments; and to contemplate together two fundamental questions: Why did we embark on this journey? And where do we seek to arrive?” “Since 2011, Egypt was not merely facing ordinary challenges or passing circumstances; rather, it stood at pivotal junctures in its modern history, wherein the Egyptian State came perilously close to the brink of collapse and downfall.” “When I assumed the responsibility of leading the State in 2014, we were confronted with a formidable challenge, unprecedented in both scale and complexity. We were called upon to fulfill the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the Egyptian people to preserve their State, and to confront heinous terrorism and plots targeting the very existence of the State itself.” “This had to be accomplished in parallel with managing the affairs of a great nation of Egypt’s stature, rebuilding infrastructure exhausted by decades of decline, upgrading public services burdened by long-standing neglect, addressing chronic, inherited crises, and reforming an administrative and governmental apparatus in dire need of comprehensive restructuring,” the president said. “Above all else, we had to restore trust in State institutions, reinforce their foundation, and consolidate their stability, so that the wheels of daily life could turn once again across every corner of the Egyptian State.” “Between merely protecting the present, or laying the groundwork for a future that the people of this nation truly deserve; between remaining captive to year-after-year crisis management, or possessing the courage and resolve to choose the harder, more enduring path: the true, root-cause confrontation of chronic problems, and addressing challenges through a comprehensive and responsible approach.” “We chose the harder path. We did not possess the luxury of waiting or postponing tough decisions. We chose, with Almighty Allah’s support and the unwavering will of this great nation, to confront, to reform, and to build.” “Thus, we embarked with sincerity and devotion upon a comprehensive course of reform and development within exceptional timelines, driven by our firm conviction that our national responsibility makes it incumbent upon us to ensure that our citizens do not continue to live through the problems of the past, nor pass them down as a burden to future generations.” “The cost of this path has borne heavily upon the Egyptian citizen, who endured alongside us and served as the true cornerstone of this journey of development.” “Allow me to extend a tribute of profound appreciation and pride to the great people of Egypt, who bore the burdens of this period with patience and fortitude, and whose awareness and steadfastness proved to be the State’s true anchor through its most formidable trials.” “Allow me here to reaffirm that the State, the government, and the people constitute a single, indivisible entity and that the government, with all its institutions and agencies, is an integral part of the Egyptian people. It works tirelessly for their sake, serving their interests, and elevating their standard of living and quality of life within the limits of available resources and prevailing circumstances. Duty compels us all to reject any and all attempts to portray State institutions as entities detached from the people or at odds with their interests, for such endeavors seek to undermine the cohesion of the Egyptian State, sow division, and fracture the internal front.” “Our journey was never merely about projects constructed, roads paved, or cities expanding across our homeland; rather, it was a journey to rebuild the State’s capacity, awaken its latent strength, and lay the foundations for a renaissance whose impact reaches into the life of every Egyptian man and woman.” “Our objective was not to alter the face of life on Egyptian soil, but to build a life that opens new horizons of hope, where a road becomes a gateway to opportunity, a factory a doorway to livelihood, a school the beginning of a dream, and urban development an expansion of hope.” “I have always affirmed that popular awareness is the primary bulwark of nations, and that the building of states rests not solely on the resources they possess, but on the awareness, resolve, and devotion to work exemplified by their citizens.” “Indeed, awareness is what enables us to comprehend the scale of our challenges relative to our available resources. And I stand fully confident that Allah Almighty observes the efforts we make, the sacred trust we bear, and the purity of our intentions; for He is all-knowing of what lies within hearts, and He never diminishes the reward of those who excel in good deeds.” “Hence, our responsibility before Allah Almighty and before this great people demands that we spare no effort, that we seek utmost honesty and sincerity in every decision we take and every action we undertake, and that we remain steadfastly faithful to the sacred trust bestowed upon us by this nation. Together, we have navigated a path that was by no means easy. What we have achieved in our journey to consolidate the national State and anchor the pillars of the New Republic is an achievement of the entire Egyptian people, not of the government alone.” “No one can claim that any human endeavor or developmental journey is devoid of lessons, errors, or challenges, for this is natural to all human experience. Yet our intentions remain sincere and faithful, backed by a genuine resolve to draw upon these lessons for the future.” “I reaffirm once more that your awareness, steadfastness, and unity, Great People of Egypt, shall always remain the impenetrable fortress and first line of defense against all attempts to undermine the State or destabilize its security and stability. (MENA)