Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration on Sunday launched the sixth edition of the Expatriates Conference under the theme "From Everywhere… Egypt is the Destination," drawing broad participation from senior government officials, parliamentarians, private sector representatives, and more than 1,200 Egyptian expatriates from 40 countries. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly delivered the keynote address at the opening session, reaffirming the government's commitment to deepening engagement with Egyptians abroad. He outlined several new initiatives aimed at supporting the diaspora in areas such as education, investment, and enhanced consular services. The conference was attended by an array of cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development Kamel Al-Wazir, Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, and Minister of Housing Sherif El-Sherbiny, alongside members of both houses of Parliament. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underlined that the conference aligns with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's directives to expand direct dialogue with Egyptian communities abroad through regular gatherings and digital platforms. He reviewed progress made on last year's recommendations, highlighting achievements such as the digital transformation of consular services and the launch of targeted initiatives including "Your Home in Egypt" for real estate, "Your Farm in Egypt" for agricultural investment, and "Your School in Egypt" for digital education. Additionally, Abdelaty noted the success of financial inclusion programmes like "Open Your Account in Egypt" and insurance offerings under "Your Insurance in Egypt." He also announced plans for a forthcoming initiative, "Your University in Egypt," to facilitate university admissions for Egyptian expatriate students, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education. The minister emphasised that Egypt continues to expand vocational training and seek new job opportunities for citizens abroad, reinforcing the state's broader strategy to harness the potential of the Egyptian diaspora in national development. Turning to foreign policy, Abdelaty reiterated Egypt's commitment to a "principled and balanced" approach amid ongoing regional turbulence, underscoring the country's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause. He dismissed recent "misleading and suspicious" campaigns questioning Egypt's humanitarian role in Gaza, pointing out that Egypt has contributed nearly 70% of all aid delivered to the enclave. He stressed Egypt's continued dedication to supporting the Palestinian people's right to remain on their land and establish an independent state. The conference continues with a series of panel discussions and workshops designed to explore new avenues for diaspora engagement, investment, and cultural exchange.
