El Sisi addresses the UNGA: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi spoke on a wide variety of subjects in his address to the 71st United Nations General Assembly, touching on everything that is to be expected: Africa, Palestine, Libya, Syria and the value of a stable Egypt in a tumultuous region.

The president opened by reiterating previous calls for the developed world to step up to its obligations to developing countries to improve access to economic opportunities. Speaking on behalf of Africa in his capacity as the chair of African states at the recently negotiated Paris climate change agreement, he confirmed the continent’s commitment to the pact.

El Sisi also delved into a defense of the post-2013 political order, saying the Egyptian people prevented the country’s slide into chaos and emphasizing that the international community must recognize the country as the lynchpin of stability in the region. He went on to say the 2014 constitution enshrines protections of human rights, and that Egypt has successfully elected a parliament that has been busy at work fulfilling its legislative role, highlighting Egypt’s economic reforms and praising Egypt’s renewable energy initiative.

At one point, El Sisi asked if he could go off script to directly address the Israeli leadership and people, urging them to seize the opportunity to write a hopeful new page in history, replicating the “wonderful and unique” peace enjoyed with Egypt by pursuing a two-state solution with Palestine. He called for a halt to settlements and a return to the Arab Peace initiative. El Sisi’s remarks echo his statements made earlier this year. The president continued by noting the crises in Libya and Syria, saying Egypt was deeply involved in diplomatic efforts with the former to support a unified government and the national army, saying that the time for militias in Libya is over. He also reiterated Egypt’s long-held position that the Syrian crisis must be resolved politically and must preserve the country’s territorial integrity. Watch President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s full remarks in Arabic (15:11) or dubbed in English (22:26)

Meetings on the sidelines: El Sisi also met in New York with UK PM Theresa May, Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi and Jordanian king Abdullah II.