Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi delivered “a message of peace” during a tour of Sharm El-Sheikh ahead of the kick-off of the World Youth Forum on Saturday. In official statements to Al-Ahram Daily, El-Sisi's spokesman Bassam Rady said that El-Sisi went on an inspection tour of the resort city on his bike early on Thursday morning, where he exchanged greetings with citizens in the streets. The second edition of the World Youth Forum, which is expected to be attended by some 5,000 young people from 145 countries, runs from 3 to 6 November, and is under the auspices of El-Sisi, who will attend the whole event. Rady said the attendance of El-Sisi ahead of the forum represents his keenness and interest in the forum as an international pillar for youths, where they present their ideas and get involved in direct dialogues with state leaders and top officials, in the attendance of a number of presidents and other figures. El-Sisi is set to attend a performance of the play The Visitor on Friday, which features actors from the National Academy for Youth Training and Rehabilitation, the Artistic Creativity Center, and talented youth of different nationalities. This year, the forum's events will revolve around a vision inspired by The Seven Pillars of the Egyptian Identity, a book by Milad Hanna written for the purpose of emphasising the unity and harmony of Egyptian society despite divergences and differences, according to the official website of the forum. On Sunday, the WYF's agenda includes more than ten sessions, including discussions on “the role of world leaders in building and sustaining peace”, “Agenda 2063: the Africa we want”, “e-sports and games”, and “Euro-Mediterranean co-operation: a strategic partnership”, among others. Monday will witness discussions on “humanitarian assistance: a global responsibility in the face of challenges”, and others. The final day, Tuesday, will see an announcement of the recommendations of forum, as well as a closing speech by the Egyptian president. Last year, the forum attracted thousands of participants worldwide, with official delegations from several states, as well as youth representatives from various countries taking part. The forum identifies itself as one “built by promising youth that sends a message of peace, prosperity, harmony and progress to the entire world.” This year's forum was first announced during the country's National Youth Conference in Alexandria in July 2017, which was also attended by El-Sisi.
