Egypt: ICRC president discusses cooperation with President al-Sisi

Cairo (ICRC) – President Peter Maurer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The leaders exchanged views on the conflicts in the region and discussed ways to enhance their cooperation. This is the first time an ICRC president has visited Egypt.

"Egypt is a key strategic player in regional and global affairs, especially in the conflicts in the Middle East where the ICRC is working," said Mr Maurer. "Most of the world's bloodiest conflicts are taking place in this region, at a tremendous human cost. I value the cooperation of the Egyptian authorities in fostering greater respect for international humanitarian law and more effective humanitarian work in these conflicts."

Mr Maurer acknowledged the role that Egypt's support had played earlier this year in the adoption of a Security Council resolution that strongly condemns attacks on medical facilities, their staff and patients, and humanitarian workers, and demands that all parties to armed conflict comply fully with their obligations under international law. "Resolution 2286 is an excellent example of what we can achieve by working together on humanitarian issues, and I want to see this cooperation go from strength to strength. Political support is crucial for meaningful humanitarian work," said Mr Maurer.

In the past, the ICRC has provided humanitarian services to tens of thousands of people in Egypt in major conflicts such as the two World Wars, the Arab-Israeli wars and the 1956 Suez conflict. Today, Egypt is a regional hub for the ICRC's work on international humanitarian law.

For further information, please contact:
Yousra Salem, ICRC Cairo, tel: +20 225 281 540