Foreign Minister holds ministerial banquet at UN HQ; discusses peace, security

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry organized a high profile banquet on Wednesday at the UN Headquarters to discuss peace and security. 

During his stay in New York, Shoukry held the banquet on the second day to probe the international institution's ability to respond to conflicts and crises, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said. 

The ministers discussed reviewing the UN strategies on peacekeeping and the status of the UNSC resolution no. 1325 on women and peace and security. 

The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. It stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.

The banquet was attended by ministers of Sweden, Argentina, the Netherlands, Norway, Ethiopia and Somalia, the spokesman said. 

Also, the UN Deputy Secretary General and assistants attended the banquet. 

Shoukry arrived in New York on Monday on a three-day visit to lead the Egyptian delegation to the UN Security Council sessions.

Source: MENA