In a recent discussion, Samuel Weirberg, the regional spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, commended the instrumental role that the United Nations General Assembly plays in addressing shared global challenges.
This acknowledgment came during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held from September 18 to 26, which sees the participation of leaders, monarchs, prime ministers, and officials from its 193 member countries.
Egypt’s Global Significance
During an interview on Cairo News TV this Friday, Weirberg emphasized that every country is represented, either by their heads of state or their representatives. He highlighted Egypt’s central role in many world issues, particularly the climate change agenda. He extended gratitude to the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting the COP 27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.
“Having attended the COP 27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, I witnessed the efforts made to realize this event,” Weirberg said. He affirmed that Egypt has made significant strides in this area, adding, “We want to partner with Egypt in this role.”
U.S.-Egypt Ties
Relations between the U.S. and Egypt, spanning over 40 years, are not just limited to defense, military, and security. Weirberg pointed to the strong connection between the two nations’ armies and security institutions. Furthermore, he noted, “There are also ties between us in various sectors, including education, culture, and trade.”
U.S. Relations with China and Russia
Addressing the contrast in U.S. relations with China and Russia, Weirberg opined that comparing relationships between countries is challenging as no “one-size-fits-all” approach exists. Each nation has its own unique circumstances and mechanisms of cooperation.
Regarding China, despite clear differences, there are mutual interests like climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturns, and energy resources that necessitate collaboration with Beijing.
As for Russia, Weirberg acknowledged shared concerns but also stressed the alarming situation in Ukraine, particularly the targeting of civilians in Kyiv by Moscow. “While the Ukrainian president was delivering his speech, Moscow was bombarding civilian locations in Kyiv with missiles,” he observed.
