Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi held two high-level meetings on Tuesday at the Ittihadiya Palace — one with Prince Rahim Aga Khan, head of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and another with Park Bum-ki, the special envoy of South Korea’s president — as Egypt seeks to deepen international partnerships in development and investment.
Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shenawy said Al-Sisi congratulated Prince Rahim on assuming his post earlier this year, commending AKDN’s global contributions to socio-economic development and the preservation of Islamic cultural heritage. He expressed appreciation for the network’s longstanding role in Egypt, particularly its work on sustainable development projects, urban regeneration, and the restoration of historical sites.
Talks also addressed major national initiatives such as the Decent Life rural development programme, the 100 Million Health campaign, and the Bidaya for Human Development initiative. The two sides explored new opportunities for cooperation in education, agriculture, and climate adaptation, especially in Upper Egypt, and discussed ways to leverage AKDN’s expertise in urban and environmental revitalisation.
Prince Rahim praised Egypt’s regional and international standing and reaffirmed the network’s commitment to expanding its work in the country, stressing that investment in human capital is fundamental to achieving sustainable growth and prosperity.
In a separate meeting, Al-Sisi received Park Bum-ki, who delivered a message from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The letter conveyed Seoul’s appreciation for Egypt’s support of peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula and reaffirmed South Korea’s eagerness to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Al-Sisi welcomed the strong growth in Egyptian-Korean relations in recent years, noting South Korea’s emergence as a key economic partner. He encouraged greater Korean investment in Egypt, pointing to the country’s competitive advantages and extensive network of free trade agreements with Arab and African markets.
The talks also covered regional developments, with Al-Sisi reiterating Egypt’s firm stance on the Gaza conflict. He urged countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to do so, emphasising that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
