Suez Canal Welcomes the Leaders of Tomorrow: Youth Delegations on a Field Visit as Part of the Nasser International Fellowship
Under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in partnership with the United Nations
Nasser International Forum: Youth Delegations Participating in the Fifth Edition of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship Hosted by the Suez Canal Authority
The Nasser International Forum announced the organization of a field visit to the Suez Canal Authority in the Governorate of Ismailia for the participants in the fifth edition of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship. The visit took place as part of the twelfth day of the fellowship’s activities, under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in partnership with the United Nations. Around 150 young men and women from different countries and professional backgrounds participated, including several influential and active youth leaders in their communities.
The delegations were welcomed by Khaled Taha, Head of Public Relations at the Suez Canal Authority. The visit was attended by Reda Safeena, Director General of Volunteer and Scout Programs, Dr. Ihab Salah, Director of the Youth and Sports Directorate in Ismailia, Hassan Ghazaly, Founder of the Nasser International Forum and Director of the Global South Youth Office, as well as a number of officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Suez Canal Authority.
The visit began in Ismailia with a tour of the Ismailia Tunnels, which are considered a major engineering achievement. The participants then headed to the Maritime Simulation and Training Center affiliated with the Suez Canal Authority, where they attended a comprehensive presentation on the history of the Suez Canal, its development stages, and its global trade importance. A second presentation provided detailed insights into the New Suez Canal, supported by statistics and comparisons between the navigation system before and after the project’s completion. The presentation highlighted the project’s benefits, including enhanced navigational safety, improved emergency response capacity, increased vessel accommodation, and its contribution to raising Egypt’s global ranking. It also emphasized the canal’s positive impact on the Egyptian economy and its role in supporting major national projects.
The visit also included the screening of a documentary featuring scenes of citizens purchasing investment certificates for the Suez Canal, expressing public support for the national project and their confidence in the political leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Another presentation covered the effort to refloat the Ever Given container ship, demonstrating the high level of professionalism shown by the Suez Canal Authority in managing the crisis. The tour concluded with a boat trip through the New Suez Canal, giving participants a direct view of Egypt’s national accomplishments and its strategic infrastructure vision for sustainable development.
The leaders of the fifth edition of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship, representing the Ministry of Youth and Sports, expressed their sincere gratitude to the Suez Canal Authority for hosting the youth delegations and providing them with the opportunity to visit one of the world’s most important maritime facilities. The visit formed part of the broader cooperation between the Suez Canal Authority and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It aimed to offer participants a firsthand look at the latest development projects in the Suez Canal region and shed light on the national efforts undertaken by the Authority, especially the New Suez Canal project. This project was completed in record time within a single year by a dedicated and skilled Egyptian workforce. The visit also highlighted the Authority’s remarkable success in resolving the crisis involving the Ever Given container ship, which served as a national example of determination, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges.
The visit received high praise from the participants in the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship. It significantly shaped their perception of Egypt’s capabilities and the vital role of the Suez Canal in supporting the global economy and international trade. The tour provided extensive knowledge and gave the youth leaders the chance to exchange ideas and experiences related to best practices in sustainable development. This helped to strengthen international cooperation. The event demonstrated Egypt’s central role as a platform for dialogue among youth leaders from across the world and reaffirmed its status as a leading nation in addressing global issues.
The participants expressed their great satisfaction with the inspiring experience, noting that the tour was rich in admiration for the national achievements they observed at one of the world’s key maritime arteries. They praised the New Suez Canal project, which was constructed within a year by an entirely Egyptian team, and wished continued success for the ongoing development of this vital waterway. The participants also expressed deep appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his support of the fellowship, which enriched their knowledge and allowed them to build lasting connections with peers from various countries. They captured these memorable moments in numerous photos and videos, which they described as among the most significant and impactful highlights of the fellowship.
At the conclusion of the visit by the participants of the fifth edition of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship to Ismailia Governorate, a visit was organized for them to “Al-Qirsh Camp” in the city of Ismailia. The camp is considered a significant addition to the sports infrastructure of the governorate. During their visit, they toured a regulation football field with stands and changing rooms, a five-a-side football field, a paddle tennis court, and a swimming complex that includes a semi-Olympic pool and a children’s pool. They also visited a conference hall with a capacity of 250 people, an administrative building, an activity wing for table tennis and billiards, and art workshops. Additionally, the camp includes a gym building, accommodation and dining facilities, and many fully equipped wings. The camp covers an area of 39,000 square meters, equivalent to 9 feddans.
Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Nasser International Forum, remarked that the visit to the Suez Canal Authority is one of the most prominent and regular stops in the fellowship program due to its significant value. He explained that it introduces participants to one of the world’s most vital maritime facilities and symbolizes the courage, determination, and resilience of the Egyptian people. This spirit was evident during the initial construction of the canal and was reaffirmed with the implementation of the New Suez Canal project. The visit also demonstrated the Authority’s ability to handle crises and achieve exceptional results. He noted that the participants had the chance to explore the canal’s strategic advantages and its key role in facilitating global trade. They also learned about the positive outcomes of the New Suez Canal, which enhanced navigational efficiency, increased capacity, and achieved the highest standards of maritime safety.
It is worth noting that the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship serves as a pioneering platform to prepare a new generation of youth leaders at the regional and international levels. The fifth edition of the fellowship reflects Egypt’s continued commitment to supporting Global South issues, fostering intercultural dialogue, and sharing developmental knowledge and leadership experiences in governance, management, and community engagement.
