The Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization.It is one of the Leading Egyptian civil society organizations in the field of Egyptian foreign policy.

The Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs was established by a group of excellent experts in regional and international foreign policy.This eliteis characterized by the diversity of  professional backgrounds and includes distinguished diplomats, academics, military personnels, businessmen, writers and public figures.

The Council is registered in accordance with Law No. 32 for year 1964 under No. 413 dated May 2, 1999 at the General Administration of Associations of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Currently known as the Ministry of  Social Solidarity).

The Councils’Objectives

In order to achieve it’s targeted mission, the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs aims at the following:

1- Enriching and deepening the Egyptian public debate about foreign issues and problems related to it, especially the latest ones, as well as shedding light on their relation with issues of national interest and their mutual impact.

This was reflected in the Council`s different activities which include:conferences, seminars, round tables, general meetings with the members of the Council along with other specialized groups interested in the issues of discussion such as Middle East crisis, phenomenon of terrorism, future of the Middle East peace process and Egypt’s relations with foreign powers like The United States, Europe, Russia, China, Africa and Latin America. Mostly,These discussions result in working papers or statements that express ECFA’s views in this respect, or deal with various issues such as the latest developments in the region, the Syrian crisis, the situations in Libya and Yemen as well as other issues of particular importance to Egypt’s national security such as the war on terrorism, the water crisis and the econometrics of energy. ECFA usually hosts well-known figures to present topics in their events in order to examine, analyze and exchange views about these issues.

2-Providing free and neutral platform, enhancing and rationalizing the Egyptian foreign policy and diplomacy.

The Council seeks to provide a free and neutral platform for all political and intellectual trends in Egypt; to allow them to express their visions and views on the regional and international issues and to contribute in supporting  and rationalizing the Egyptian Foreign policy and diplomacy; in order to create a common ground to reach a consenus on our national interests.

3- Establishing bridges of communication and mutual relationships with many political and strategic research and intellectual centers from various countries around the world.

The Council organizes meetings with these centers in order to conduct dialogues with them on issues of common interest and to develop ideas on issued problems. Typically, these meetings take place alternately between Egypt and the state in which the Research Center of the Council partner. These meetings and events are conducted annually and on a regular basis. Furthermore, the number of Council partners from similar councils and centers has reached 32 different councils and centers including some Egyptian centers such as the Regional Center for Strategic Studies in Cairo, Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, The  Egyptian Council for Economic Affairs, The Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development as well as other foreign Centers such as The Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, The Russian Center for Policy Studies (PIR), The Moroccan Interdisciplinary Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Indian Council of World Affairs, The Arab Thought Forum in Amman, The Hungarian Institute of  International Affairs and The Sudanese Council for Foreign Affairs.

4-Linking foreign policy to the requirements of supporting the Egyptian economy.

Taking into account the link between foreign policy and the requirements to support the Egyptian economy,the Council is trying to create a link between foreign policy and the requirements to support the Egyptian economy, especially in regards to attracting foreign investment to Egypt, opening  new markets for Egyptian goods and services. This has been done through meetings with visiting delegations to Egypt,economic affairs`officials, specialists, and representatives of some regional economic groupings of special importance for Egypt.

5- Gaining access to a wider circle of public opinion.

The Council is planning to reach a wider circle of public opinion through different studies and articles which are published in Egyptian newspapers by a large number of members of the Council from writers, intellectuals, former diplomats and those who have regular space in daily newspapers, magazines and television interviews. In addition to benefiting from their participation in the seminars held by various civil society organizations and the Cairo International Book Fair.

PERMANENT COMMITTEES

Permanent Committee for Arab Affairs

Standing Committee for North American Affairs

Permanent Committee for Central, Caribbean and South American Affairs.

Standing Committee for European Affairs

Standing Committee for African Affairs

Standing Committee for Asian Affairs

Permanent Committee on Water Resources and Climate Change

Standing Committee of the United Nations and International Organizations

Permanent Committee for Social Affairs

Standing Committee for Culture and Soft Power

Standing Committee for Economic Affairs (including trade, transport, energy and environment)

Permanent Committee for Immigration and Egyptians Abroad Affairs