
Egypt posts record $13bln primary surplus in FY2024/25
The figures were reviewed in a meeting between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, and Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk.
The surplus was recorded despite external pressures, including a 60% shortfall in Suez Canal revenues compared to budget targets, which resulted in a gap of around EGP 145 billion, Kouchouk said.
Tax revenues grew at their fastest pace in years, climbing 35.3% YoY to EGP 2.2 trillion.
Kouchouk attributed the growth to new measures aimed at widening the tax base and improving efficiency in the tax system.
Overall revenues increased 29% YoY, while primary spending rose at a slower pace of 16.3%.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved Arab Finance For Information Technology Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Hamas agrees to Gaza ceasefire terms as mediators eye 'positive announcement'
Hamas has agreed to an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a 60-day Gaza truce and the initial release of 10 Israeli hostages, sources told The National on Monday. They said Hamas told Qatari and Egyptian mediators that it has dropped its condition for a written US guarantee that negotiations with Israel on a complete withdrawal from Gaza and a long-term ceasefire continue until an agreement is reached. Hamas also agreed to hand over the remains of 18 hostages who died while in captivity, the sources added. The group has agreed to lay down and store its weapons under international supervision. It has also agreed to the deployment of an Arab force in Gaza under UN supervision to maintain security in the enclave. The group's position comes after a senior regional official involved in the peace talks told The National on Monday that a 'positive announcement' regarding a Gaza ceasefire could come soon. 'There might be a positive announcement later, but we're still working on it,' the official said, though the details were not specified. He added that a visit by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman to Egypt was aimed at "pushing the talks forward". A Qatari statement said Sheikh Mohammed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi discussed their countries' "mediation efforts to reach an agreement in Gaza to end the war and the suffering of the Palestinians and ensure the protection of civilians and the exchange of prisoners and hostages". It was not immediately clear whether Israel would agree to the proposal. It has been stated repeatedly in recent days that Hamas must surrender its arms and its leaders must leave Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said only that Hamas's willingness to talk showed it was under "immense pressure", as Israeli troops prepare to capture Gaza city in a new offensive. Mr Netanyahu said he spoke to Defence Minister Israel Katz and the army's chief of staff about plans to occupy Gaza city. "Like you, I hear the reports in the media, and from them, you can gather one thing – Hamas is under immense pressure," he said. Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service, said Egypt and Qatar had submitted the new proposal to Israel and that "the ball is now in its court". New proposal Just as the negotiations were gaining new momentum, US President Donald Trump insisted Hamas must be destroyed before a comprehensive deal could take shape. "We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed. The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be," he said in a post on his Truth Social platform. A Hamas delegation has been in Cairo since last week for discussions. On Sunday, sources told The National that Egyptian and Qatari mediators revived the proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 hostages, in a last-minute bid to avert an Israeli ground assault on Gaza city. The plan includes a written US guarantee that indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel on troop withdrawal from Gaza and a long-term truce would begin during the pause and continue until an agreement is reached. 'The Qataris and Egyptians have presented Israel and the United States with the plan and are now waiting for their response,' one source said. 'Falling back on the old plan for a partial, rather than a comprehensive, deal is designed to head off Israel's assault on Gaza.' The sources said the plan provided for the release of 10 hostages, as well as the remains of at least 15 who have died in captivity, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails being freed. An estimated 50 hostages are still held by Hamas, with 20 believed to be alive. The latest proposal includes the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where dozens have died of starvation or hunger-related disease. The plan also involves Israeli troops moving away from populated areas. The sources would not speculate on how Israel may respond to the proposal, which is based largely on a previous plan floated by Mr Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Meanwhile, Egypt confirmed it was willing to join a potential international force in Gaza, but only if it was backed by a UN Security Council resolution and accompanied by a "political horizon". "We are standing ready, of course, to help, to contribute to any international force to be deployed in Gaza in some specific parameters," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told a joint press conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the Rafah border crossing. Expansion of war News of the proposal broke as Israel prepares to send troops into Gaza city, where about one million people have sought shelter from the war. Preparations for the offensive have been made as Israel says its war on Gaza will continue until Hamas is defeated. Israel also wants a civilian administration in place in the enclave, without the involvement of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority or Hamas. Israel has also insisted on retaining an overall security role in Gaza. The Israeli army announced late on Saturday that it was preparing to move Palestinians before the offensive to capture Gaza city, where more than a million people are sheltering. The Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Cogat, said the supply of tents to the territory would resume on Sunday. Amjad Al Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGOs Network in Gaza, said the UN had not received any Israeli orders to remove its staff to the south, nor has it instructed its employees to leave Gaza city. 'UN institutions are currently working to strengthen their presence in Gaza city and do not intend to evacuate under the current circumstances," he said. Some Palestinians told The National they prefer to face the dangers of Israeli bombardment than to be trapped in what they described as the nightmare of displacement. Aya Al Shandaghli, 26, still carries the trauma of the first forced displacement in May 2024. 'I lost weight, my skin was burnt and I fell sick several times. We lived in tents in Al Mawasi for almost eight months. They were the worst and hardest days of my life,' she said. When a truce allowed her family to return to their home in Gaza city in January, she vowed never to leave again. 'I told my family that I will not leave our home, even if they bomb it over our heads," she said. "Displacement destroys you from the inside. Nothing in this world can make up for those harsh days.' Others say that even if they wanted to leave, there is nowhere to go, with much of Rafah, Khan Younis and central Gaza destroyed. 'Now everything is ruins. There is nowhere left to be displaced to,' said Musab Al Ghoul, who lives in Sheikh Radwan.


Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
UN Climate Adaptation Expo in Zambia concludes with urgent call for more finance to save lives and economies
LUSAKA, Zambia -/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The largest annual climate adaptation event has concluded in Lusaka, Zambia, with an urgent call for scaled up investment to save lives, lift living standards and boost economic growth. NAP Expo 2025 focused on strengthening countries' capacity to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) ahead of COP30 in Brazil, and closing the financing gaps that threaten effective climate adaptation. The Expo also launched updated adaptation guidelines, and helped countries to make use of new AI tools to build climate resilience, in many countries for the first time, among other key developments. 'Adaptation isn't a bill we can skip. If we don't fund it, the poorest pay in lost harvests, poorer health, and – at worst – with their lives,' said Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation at UN Climate Change. 'Around USD 300 billion is needed annually for climate adaptation by 2030. Governments will spend this amount and much more, whether they like it or not, in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by climate disasters, and importing food due to ruined crops,' said Nassef. 'Much smarter and cheaper is investing in resilience up-front, because this not only saves lives and money, it delivers massive dividends across every sector and every community, transforming lives and economies for the better.' Zambia's Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha, said: 'We must transform NAPs into investable and bankable plans attractive for investment, including by the private sector. It is also imperative to enhance horizontal and vertical coordination to ensure effective participation of various stakeholders – including women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, local communities and the private sector – in the design and execution of NAPs.' 'Climate change is a matter of life and death for our people. The 2023-2024 drought reduced crop yields by about half, and similarly reduced electricity generation by more than half. This requires a multi-pronged approach across multiple sectors and scales, centred around the critical role of water,' added Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment of Zambia. The Expo, attended by around 400 participants from 80 countries, launched updated technical guidelines, welcomed by least developed countries and others as a strong basis to help nations in designing and implementing their NAPs by 2025, in line with the latest science and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Adaptation plans are vital to ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to the funding and support they need to build resilience to worsening droughts, floods and other climate disasters. Key outputs from the Expo include: Over six technical sessions focused on promoting mobilization and access to financing for NAPs: (i) maximizing access to existing sources and modalities under the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism; (ii) exploring new sources and modalities of adaptation finance and how countries can mobilize or engage. Five sessions aiming to accelerate the uptake and use of frontier and digital technologies in the NAP process, including big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. For many participants, it was the first time using AI in supporting the formulation and implementation of NAPs, and the guided sessions provided an introduction to several powerful resources. The AI session was so successful that participants requested an additional one, which was offered on the next day and focused on co-producing a sample open NAP to showcase concepts relevant to adaptation assessment, planning and implementation. Various sessions strengthened inclusive stakeholder engagement in the NAP process by promoting the incorporation of diverse values and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples and the experiences of local communities, as well as private sector involvement, with a strong focus on vulnerable communities, gender-responsiveness and youth participation. Fumukazi Zilanie Kamgundanga Gondwe, traditional leader of the Phoka people, Rumphi, Malawi, said: 'What we refer to as innovation is often rooted in long-standing Indigenous practices such as seed sovereignty, sacred forest protection, and cultural rituals for ecological balance.' Ana Toni, CEO of the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil, called on the global community to 'transcend outdated mindsets whilst preserving shared values and innovating towards a new planetary renaissance, where humankind regenerates its relationship with itself and with the nature it belongs to.' "COP30 will serve as a turning point for adaptation, and NAPs must lead the way, building capacity and securing funding to strengthen our efforts. In Belém, adaptation must be elevated to the same level of importance as mitigation on the global agenda, especially as the impacts of climate change have already infiltrated our homes. Together, we have the power to implement meaningful change and safeguard our communities for a more resilient and sustainable future," Toni added. Attended by government officials, technical experts, Indigenous leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners, the Expo from 11-15 August was marked by a focus on implementation – how to help countries meet the 2025 NAP submission target. Countries also showcased practical solutions to the Global Goal on Adaptation targets: Water security: nature-based solutions for urban rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agricultural practices, and restoration of rivers and streams. Food security: climate-smart agriculture techniques improving soil health and yields without expanding land use. Secure Livelihoods: diversified income and strengthened resilience through sustainable resource management. Resilient infrastructure: coastal protection projects rooted in nature-based solutions. Youssef Nassef expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Zambia for their gracious hospitality in hosting this important global event, noting how the Zambian spirit of solidarity, of hope, of collectivism and harmony helped underpin a successful Expo. As the Expo closed, participants pointed to next month's Climate Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1-6 September) convened by UN Climate Change, as another key moment to advance adaptation and resilience, including financing needs, along with other key issues. By bringing together negotiators with implementers in government and the real economy, along with key financiers including development banks, Climate Week will help lay a foundation for progress on finance, adaptation, mitigation and a Just Transition, in Belém and beyond. Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of UNFCCC About the NAP Expo The NAP Expo is an annual outreach event organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the UNFCCC. It serves as a platform for exchanging experiences, fostering partnerships and mobilizing support to advance the formulation and implementation of NAPs in developing countries. About the UNFCCC With 198 Parties, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has near universal membership and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement. The Paris Agreement aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level which will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, and to protect all people from worsening climate impacts now and in the future. Through multilateral cooperation under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and national efforts, projected temperature increase has been reduced from up to 5 degrees Celsius, to around 3 degrees Celsius now, if pledges are implemented. Efforts continue to lower projected temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as all countries in the UNFCCC have agreed, as well as to build more climate-resilient economies and societies, and to spread the vast benefits of climate action across all nations and peoples. The ultimate objective of all agreements under the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, in a time frame which allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development. Follow our social channels: X: UN Climate Change: Anglais, Français, Russe, Espagnol X: Executive Secretary Simon Stiell LinkedIn: UN Climate Change, Executive Secretary, Deputy Executive Secretary Instagram: UN Climate Change: English, Russian, Spanish, French TikTok: UN Climate Change Media Contact: UNFCCC press@ African Media Agency (AMA) Amy Minnie Amy@

Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Egypt: President El-Sisi Meets Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The meeting was attended by Head of the General Intelligence Services Major General Hassan Rashad and Head of Qatar's State Security Khalfan bin Ali bin Khalfan Al Kaabi. The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the Qatari prime minister conveyed to the President the greetings of the Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, stressing the Qatari leadership's keenness to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various fields, based on the importance the Qatari government accords to consolidating relations between the two countries, particularly supporting joint investment projects, so as to fulfill the aspirations of the two peoples. President El-Sisi expressed his deep appreciation to His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, stressing the shared will to advance bilateral relations to broader horizons, in line with the aspirations of the two peoples, and in keeping pace with current regional and international challenges. Both sides affirmed the utmost importance that both Egypt and Qatar attach to their ongoing efforts, in coordination with the United States, to reach an agreement that guarantees an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, allows the urgent and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, and secures the release of hostages and captives. This is while confirming the categorical rejection of the military reoccupation of the Strip and any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land. The President and the Prime Minister of Qatar stressed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, represents the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. In this context, President El-Sisi confirmed the need to immediately begin the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire is achieved, and to prepare for the Cairo international reconstruction conference, in cooperation with the Palestinian government and the United Nations. Views were aligned on the importance of intensifying joint efforts to find political and peaceful solutions to the crises facing a number of countries in the region. Both sides confirmed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of those countries and the need to continue consultation and coordination between Egypt and Qatar to serve common interests and enhance regional security and stability. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.