2025, September 30:: El-Sisi welcomes Aga Khan chairman for development, cooperation talks
Ahram Online
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi welcomed on Tuesday Prince Rahim Aga Khan, chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), for talks on heritage restoration and cooperation in human development, education, and climate resilience in light of Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Luis Monreal, director general of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, President El-Sisi congratulated Prince Rahim on assuming leadership earlier this year and paid tribute to the late Prince Karim Aga Khan for his decades of stewardship of AKDN, Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said.
El-Sisi also praised AKDN’s global role in advancing social, economic, and environmental development, as well as its commitment to preserving Islamic cultural heritage.
He expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the AKDN’s long-standing contributions, which align with national initiatives under Vision 2030, such as the Decent Life programme, 100 Million Health, and Bidaya for Human Development
Talks also addressed urban renewal, neighbourhood rehabilitation, and restoration of historic landmarks, with El-Sisi welcoming broader AKDN cooperation in these areas, El-Shennawy added.
For his part, Prince Rahim Aga Khan thanked El-Sisi, praised Egypt’s regional and international standing, and expressed pride in making his first official visit to the country.
He affirmed AKDN’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Egypt and expanding support in education, agriculture, and climate adaptation, especially in Upper Egypt.
He also highlighted AKDN’s experience in urban and environmental revitalization, pioneered in Cairo, as a model for future projects.
He commended Egypt’s progress in human development, stressing that investing in people remains the cornerstone of prosperity and sustainable growth.
Prince Rahim Al-Husseini, now Aga Khan V, succeeded his father last February as the 50th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, which numbers between 12 and 15 million followers across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
His succession followed the death of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in Lisbon after nearly seven decades of leadership.
AKDN has been active in Egypt for over 40 years, carrying out landmark projects that combine cultural preservation with community development.
Among its most notable achievements is Cairo’s Al-Azhar Park, which transformed a neglected landfill into one of the city’s largest green spaces.
The project also spurred the restoration of the surrounding Darb Al-Ahmar district, where AKDN rehabilitated historic monuments, upgraded housing, and introduced microfinance and training programmes.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has also supported projects in Aswan aimed at improving water supply, sanitation, and community infrastructure.
AKDN has promoted healthcare, education, and rural development programmes in Egypt, working with local communities and authorities.
These initiatives form part of AKDN’s broader mission across more than 30 countries, aimed at improving living conditions and opportunities for people of all faiths and backgrounds
