Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi addresses the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development in Aswan, Egypt, Dec. 11, 2019. Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development kicked off on Wednesday in the upper Egyptian city of Aswan. The two-day Aswan forum will focus on post-conflict reconstruction, education, climate change and sustainable development in Africa. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
ASWAN, Egypt, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development kicked off on Wednesday in the upper Egyptian city of Aswan.
The two-day Aswan forum will focus on post-conflict reconstruction, education, climate change and sustainable development in Africa.
"The forum will be a regional and continent platform for discussion, dialogue and exchange of experiences," said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in his speech.
"Aswan forum will be a good opportunity to discuss the challenges facing Africa, topped by stability of peace and security situation, and achieving aspired sustainable development as well as protecting our African countries and societies from the spread of terrorism and its related phenomenon especially weapons smuggling, human trafficking and illegal migration," he added.
The president stressed the importance of "finding African solutions for the African problems."
For achieving peace, al-Sisi pointed out the capabilities of countries and governments on its territories should be enhanced.
"Egypt believes that the best way for maintaining peace and stability in the African continent and the world is to work on tackling the deep-rooted reasons for the problems that threaten peace and security," the president said.
He reiterated "the forum proceedings will boost the continent endeavors for developing the African peace and security comprehensively and permanently."
The Aswan forum was announced by al-Sisi in February during an African Union summit in Addis Ababa.
World leaders as well as representatives of international and regional organizations, including presidents of Chad, Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, Comoros, and chairperson of the African Union Commission and other international figures participate in 13 key sessions.
Africa, home to at least half of the fastest growing economies of the world, is rich in resources and is riding a wave of urbanization.
This great potential, however, is under threat undermined by a myriad of crises, challenges and risks to peace, security and development. The number of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons are at records high.
Acting as the chairman of the African Union and the Champion of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development in Africa, Egypt took the initiative to launch the forum, the first of its kind platform in Africa, to address the interlinkage between peace and development.
