Written by: Badr Ahmed

Ambassador Khaled Aref, Egypt's ambassador to SenegalDuring the opening session of the 32nd session of the African Regional Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, hosted by the Senegalese National Assembly from May 18 to 20, 2026, with broad participation from Speakers of Parliaments and parliamentary and diplomatic delegations from various French-speaking African countries.

Active Egyptian participation in the meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie in Senegal

Egypt’s participation in the current session comes within the framework of its keenness to strengthen its presence within international and regional parliamentary institutions, and to affirm its active role in supporting African cooperation issues and multilateral dialogue, especially in files related to peace, security, sustainable development and promoting democratic transitions within the African continent.

The opening session was attended by a number of senior African officials and parliamentarians, where the opening speeches discussed the common challenges facing the continent, foremost among them security crises, the repercussions of climate change, migration and economic development issues, in addition to the importance of strengthening African integration and exchanging legislative experiences among member states.

The discussions emphasized the important role that national parliaments play in supporting political stability and consolidating the principles of good governance, as well as promoting cooperation among French-speaking peoples, which contributes to building more effective partnerships at the regional and international levels.

Egypt has been an active member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie since 1978, and is keen to participate regularly in the Assembly’s meetings and activities, by contributing to discussions on issues of common interest and providing insights that support development and stability efforts in the African continent.

The Egyptian participation also reflects Cairo’s interest in expanding parliamentary cooperation with French-speaking countries and strengthening cultural and political dialogue among African countries, in light of the rapid regional and international transformations that require greater coordination between legislative and diplomatic institutions.

This participation also comes within the context of the Egyptian policy aimed at supporting relations with African countries, and strengthening frameworks for joint action within regional and international organizations, in a way that serves the interests of the peoples of the continent and supports efforts to achieve development, peace and stability.