Egypt invites Malaysia to co-host global Gaza reconstruction conference, says PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed following discussions on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

The proposal, conveyed to Anwar by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, included a personal message from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi encouraging Malaysia to take on a more active role in shaping the conference.

Anwar said he welcomed the invitation but stressed that Malaysia would first seek further clarification first.

“I have asked Wisma Putra to study the details provided by Egypt before any decision is made,” he told the media at the exit press conference of his working visit to South Africa.

According to Anwar, Egypt’s outreach reflects, among other factors, Malaysia’s long-standing and outspoken position on Palestinian rights and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

Madbouly, during his engagements at the G20 Summit, announced that Egypt was preparing to host the global meeting, which is expected to gather Arab states, Muslim-majority countries and international partners, including the United States to coordinate post-war reconstruction.

Anwar said Malaysia would participate in the conference regardless of whether it ultimately agreed to co-host it.

He also described the idea as timely and important.

“What matters most is ensuring that the rebuilding of Gaza is approached in a comprehensive and coordinated way.” he added.

Anwar will head to Nairobi, Kenya today for the final leg of his African tour that begins with Addis Ababa in Ethiopia on 18 November.