Egyptian Prime Minster Ibrahim Mahlab is scheduled on Monday to address the African Union NEPAD summit in Johannesburg. Mahlab is expected to give a report on climate change on behalf of President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi. El-Sisi canceled his previous plans to attend the NEPAD summit in South Africa, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday, explaining that the president needed to follow up on domestic issues after a recent trip to Europe. Meanwhile, Egypt has recently been making diplomatic efforts to enhance its African relations, asserting its support and commitment to meet Africa's 2063 agenda. Egypt has recently hosted a tripartite African economic summit in Sharm El-Sheikh where African leaders signed a deal which would create a 26-state common market that includes around 57 percent of the population of the continent. Under El-Sisi, Egypt has engaged in new economic and infrastructure projects around the continent, including developing a shipping line and improving road links. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/132806.aspx
