Egypt Forum 2026 to Center on Citizens as 'Heroes of the Story,' Says Prime Minister Madbouly

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly declared that the “Egypt Forum 2026” will be dedicated to the citizen, echoing President Sisi's sentiment that the citizen is the “hero of the story.” Madbouly highlighted the Egyptian citizen's resilience in bearing the full burden of economic and structural reforms, alongside difficult conditions and unprecedented challenges the nation has faced over the past fifteen years.

Madbouly delivered these remarks during the opening session of the “Egypt Forum 2026,” held under the slogan “A Look at Today… A Vision for Tomorrow,” with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in attendance. He welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude to President Sisi for directing the government to convene the forum, which brings together diverse segments of Egyptian society and stakeholders.

The forum aims to foster serious and constructive dialogue about Egypt's present and future. It will review accomplishments over a 12-year journey of construction and development, undertaken amidst unique global and national challenges. Madbouly emphasized that the forum is not merely a platform for showcasing achievements but a space for listening to and responding to societal concerns, criticisms, and proposals, describing it as a “two-way dialogue” where the government listens as much as the citizens speak.

To ensure citizen input, a scientific methodology was applied to identify concerns and priorities. This included public opinion surveys involving citizens, youth, investors, and private sector representatives, as well as listening sessions at the National Training Academy (NTA) with over 450 participants. Additionally, Egyptian universities and think tanks contributed through extensive preparatory sessions.

The forum's official website has seen significant engagement, with 17 million views and over 61,000 registrations, submitting more than 16,000 ideas and proposals. Notably, 50% of participants are youth aged 18-35.

Ministers and officials will address pressing public questions during the forum, including the rationale behind national projects like the New Capital, the balance between infrastructure development and social services, the future economic vision post-IMF program, and strategies for managing debt and external challenges. Madbouly affirmed that the forum offers a vital opportunity for frank and transparent discussion of the state's efforts, achievements, and the impact of its policies.

The forum will also examine challenges and setbacks, emphasizing objective evaluation and the establishment of clear targets and executive plans for the period leading up to 2030. Key citizen concerns identified include education, inflation control, healthcare, wages, pensions, and security.

The forum's agenda includes daily themes such as “Human Building” (focusing on education, youth, culture), “Integrated Development and Quality of Life” (urban development, health, digital services), “Social Protection and Community Security,” and the economic aspect (investment, industry, job opportunities, economic transformation, foreign currency resources, and debt management). A dedicated day for citizens to directly address issues like prices, building violations, and other public concerns has also been scheduled.

The ultimate goal is to establish actionable national priorities with clear responsibilities and measurable outcomes, leading to an executive work program for the Egyptian state until 2030, aimed at improving living conditions. Madbouly concluded by quoting a thinker on the importance of sustained effort over quick glory in nation-building.