Talking point of the day: The Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, which got underway yesterday, was unsurprisingly the talk of the town on the airwaves last night.

El Sisi addresses terrorism, importance of working for African stability in opening speech: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi used his opening speech at the forum to call on the international community to take a stand against terrorism-sponsoring countries and work towards eradicating terrorism, which gives rise to other issues such as organized crime, illegal immigration, and human trafficking. The president also stressed the need to ensure sustainable development across Africa, Al Hayah Al Youm’s Lobna Assal noted in her recap of the opening address(watch, runtime: 6:27). The Associated Press also took note of El Sisi’s speech.

Benban steals the spotlight: The official inauguration of the 1.5 GW Benban Solar Power Park in Aswan also earned plenty of attention from the talking heads. Assal gave viewers a refresher on the solar park and its contributions to the economy and reduction of annual carbon emissions(watch, runtime: 3:55). New and Renewable Energy Authority head Mohamed El Khayat phoned in to Al Hayah Al Youm to brief Assal on the project, which he noted has been fully operational since the end of October (watch, runtime: 4:49). Min Masr's Amr Khalil also took note of the park’s inauguration as part of a rundown of El Sisi’s agenda at the forum (watch, runtime: 2:30).

Also from the forum:

  • El Sisi met with the presidents of Niger, Senegal, and Chad on the sidelines of the forum to talk cooperation on infrastructure and other areas of development, Khalil noted on Min Masr (watch, runtime: 1:10).
  • African Development Bank President told Masaa DMC’s Ramy Radwan that Africa is ripe for investment, particularly as the continent holds vast natural resources, including fertile land for agriculture (watch, runtime: 16:10).
  • United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for governments to encourage the participation of women and youth to spur sustainable and comprehensive development in Africa, Masaa DMC reported(watch, runtime: 1:12).
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