🇪🇬EgyptNorth Africa
Egypt hosts UN initiative roundtable on AI and human development
via Egypt Today2 min read
Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, inaugurated the first roundtable of the Egypt-hosted United Nations initiative on artificial intelligence and human development. The event, held at Al-Azhar University, was attended by Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Executive Secretary of ESCWA; Dr. Ghada Waly, former UN Under-Secretary-General; Professor Salama Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University; and Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt. Minister Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's pride in hosting the event, which serves as a platform for dialogue on using AI to advance human development and the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted the symbolic significance of Al-Azhar University as the venue and detailed Egypt's steps toward AI governance, including the establishment of the National Council for Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Emerging Technologies, the adoption of the National Framework for AI Governance in 2026, and the launch of the Egyptian Charter for Responsible AI. The Foreign Minister emphasized that human development is central to the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to leverage AI for enhanced government services, scientific research, startup support, youth empowerment, and national capacity building, while preserving Arabic language and cultural heritage. Egypt's vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, placing humans at the hear
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
Prof. Dr. Ahmad El-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, cautioned that artificial intelligence lacking ethical safeguards could erode values and concentrate control over humanity's future. His warning came during a meeting with Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, at Al-Azhar Headquarters. The Grand Imam emphasized that scientific advancement must be guided by religious and ethical values to truly benefit humanity, expressing concern that unchecked AI could diminish human dignity, creativity, and thinking. He stressed the importance of an overarching ethical framework for AI to prevent it from becoming a tool that weakens rather than elevates human beings. Ms. Mohammed expressed her appreciation for Al-Azhar's role in promoting human fraternity and its suitability for launching the UN Initiative on Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development. She highlighted the UN's focus on placing human dignity and ethical values at the core of AI governance and praised Al-Azhar's establishment of Artificial Intelligence Faculties as a model for integrating scientific advancement with ethical principles.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has called for sustained efforts to localize marine vessel manufacturing in Egypt. This initiative aims to fulfill domestic requirements for the Suez Canal, Egyptian ports, and inland water transport, while simultaneously creating new export opportunities through private sector partnerships. The President emphasized the importance of adhering to high quality standards, meeting delivery timelines, and fully implementing occupational safety and health regulations. He also highlighted the necessity of continuous training and development for technical workers. These remarks were made during a meeting with Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, and Mostafa El Degeishy, Chairman of the South Red Sea Shipyard Company. The meeting also covered navigation activity in the Suez Canal during fiscal year 2025/2026, progress on new marine vessels, and updates on two fiberglass factories at the Suez Canal Company for Modern Boats. These factories, a partnership between the Suez Canal Authority and the South Red Sea Shipyard Company, are constructing fiberglass vessels, with three passenger boat hulls already completed for marine and Nile tourism. Additionally, progress on building 12 deep-sea fishing vessels under the “Rizq” model and the manufacturing of a 60-passenger river bus for Cairo Governorate were reviewed. El-Sisi also followed developments in the construction of “Azm” marine tugboats, reiterating the importance of safety and quality stan
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a briefing on the Suez Canal transit rates for the 2025/2026 fiscal year and the progress of launching new marine units. The President met with Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, and Mustafa El-Degeshi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Red Sea Shipyard Company. Presidential spokesperson, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, stated that President El-Sisi emphasized the importance of increasing domestic marine-unit manufacturing to meet national demand for the canal and Egyptian ports, support the river transport sector, and expand into foreign export markets through private sector partnerships. He also directed officials to maintain high quality standards, adhere to project timelines, enforce occupational safety and health requirements, and ensure continuous training for technical staff. The President was also updated on the equipping of fiberglass factories at the Suez Canal Modern Boats Company, a joint venture between the Suez Canal Authority and the South Red Sea Shipyard Company. Briefings included the construction of several fiberglass boats, including the completed hulls of three tourist launches for maritime and Nile tourism, the progress of building twelve deep-sea fishing vessels of the "Rezk" class, and the manufacturing of a sixty-passenger river bus for the Cairo Governorate. Additionally, the construction of "Azm"-class marine tugboats, with a ninety-ton bollard pull, was reviewed, with an e