Meeting with Gazan evacuees, Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, and Shaf in Cairo, January 2024

Last week, the Forward Thinking team held meetings in Cairo. 

We met with Palestinian business and legal representatives who had been evacuated from Gaza. They shared updates on the conflict, Gaza’s economic needs, and their perspectives on rebuilding Gaza’s economy the day after the conflict ends.

Meeting with the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.

Meetings took place with former Foreign Minister of Egypt, Mohamed El Orabi, and Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad Elsayed, at the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs to discuss Egypt’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and other recent developments in the region. 

The team also met with the Shaf Centre for Conflict Analysis and Future Studies, where deep concern was expressed about the lack of a ceasefire, escalating tensions in the region, and the long term impacts of the war on Palestinians, Israelis, and the wider region, if the fighting is not stopped. 

Meeting with Ambassador Mona Omar.

We discussed potential areas of focus for the Women for a Sustainable Future group with Ambassador Monar Omar, who is a member of the Advisory Board. The group brings together women parliamentarians from Europe and the Gulf-MENA regions, along with experts in relevant fields, including health, climate change, and social policy. We are in the process of planning a meeting of the WSF in Cairo.

We are exploring holding a joint conference with these organisations and the Arab League on the current situation in and the future of Gaza.

In discussion with Shaf Centre for Conflict Analysis and Future Studies.

Meeting with Mr Sharhabeel Al Zaeem, human rights lawyer from Gaza.