Cairo: The conference was organized in cooperation with the Egyptian Arab Solidarity Foundation and the Shaf Center for Future Studies and Analysis of Crises and Conflicts, chaired by Ambassador Mohamed Al-Orabi. Discussions focused on rising geopolitical tensions and the urgent need for coordinated Arab-African responses.
Participants examined the complex challenges facing the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, with particular attention to the Palestinian issue and the ongoing developments in the Gaza Strip. The situations in Sudan, Somalia and Yemen were also key topics, alongside broader regional security concerns.
Speakers highlighted the strategic importance of the Red Sea, warning of intensifying regional and international competition over vital maritime corridors and geopolitical locations. Water security and energy security were also identified as critical pillars influencing stability and sustainable development across both Arab and African nations.
Throughout the sessions, speakers stressed the need to strengthen partnerships between governments and civil society organizations to advance peace-building and development initiatives. They underscored the importance of establishing sustainable institutional platforms that deepen Arab-African cooperation, enhance dialogue, and build mutual trust.
Participants emphasized that addressing major hotspots of tension, particularly the continued Israeli occupation and the situation in Gaza, remains a fundamental entry point for achieving broader regional stability. They noted that without resolving long-standing conflicts, efforts toward development and security would remain fragile.