Nahla Zayed
Cairo, April 8, 2025 — The ninth edition of Narrative Summit, the first international public relations forum in Egypt, has officially launched today under the patronage and in the presence of the Ministers of Planning and Economic Development & International Cooperation, Youth and Sports, Investment and Tourism and the Governor of the Red Sea. Led by the private sector, the event is taking place at the magnificent Somabay, located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, and is bringing together a distinguished group of speakers including senior officials, industry experts, and prominent local and international business leaders.
With the captivating theme “Egypt Reset”, this year’s summit, guided by a renewed and forward-thinking vision, is centered around three key pillars: tourism, investment, and sports. The event aims to spotlight Egypt’s promising opportunities in these vital sectors, with the objective of attracting foreign investment and supporting the growth of the national economy.
Lamia Kamel, Founder of Narrative Summit and Managing Director of CC Plus, a full-fledged multi-disciplinary communications and PR firm, and the former Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Promotion expressed her pride in launching the summit’s ninth edition and noted that over the years, the summit has successfully positioned itself as a leading platform for dialogue, influence, and cross-sector collaboration. “At its heart,” she said, “this summit has always been about the people, their ideas, passion, contributions, and genuine love for Egypt.”
“Since its inception in 2016, the summit has hosted more than 500 speakers and over 10,000 participants from Egypt and abroad, all united by a shared vision for building a better future for the nation. Over the years, we have brought together a remarkable mix of voices from government, the private sector, and civil society.” Kamel added
Kamel also unveiled several important new initiatives being launched for the first time, including the establishment of a Global Public Relations Association, the introduction of the Storyteller Awards to honor impactful youthful talents who narrate Egypt’s story, and the selection of Narrative Summit as the official PR partner for G TALKS.
She concluded her remarks by thanking all attendees, including ministers, international speakers, partners, and sponsors, and extended special thanks to the Summit Board of Directors, led by Sir Mohamed Mansour. Kamel affirmed the summit’s ongoing role as a powerful platform for enhancing Egypt’s position on the global stage.
In her remarks during the Narrative Summit, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved without investing in human capital, particularly in the education sector. She noted that over two-thirds of public investments in the current fiscal year’s plan are allocated to human development initiatives.
Dr. Al-Mashat underscored the critical importance of public-private partnerships as well as coordination with international institutions, and relevant stakeholders in bridging developmental gaps across various sectors. To that end, the ministry is working to implement evidence-based development policies, advance structural reforms that foster private sector engagement, and strengthen international partnerships in line with the state’s national vision and priorities.
Dr. Al-Mashat further highlighted that, through the government’s Quality Growth Program, the aim is to enhance macroeconomic stability, implement structural reforms, identify and address sectoral development gaps, optimize resource allocation, and encourage private sector investment.
Moreover, Major General Amr Hanafy, Governor of the Red Sea, stated that the Narrative Summit serves as a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and a powerful platform to foster innovation. It provides a valuable opportunity for innovators and investors to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the advancement and growth of entrepreneurship across various fields.
He noted that the Egyptian state has made significant efforts in recent years, implementing a new strategic plan to develop the city of Hurghada. These efforts have paid off, as evidenced by Hurghada being named the second-best tourist destination in the Middle East after Dubai for 2023 by global travel platform Advisor—a ranking based on travelers’ real experiences across leading destinations worldwide.
Expressing his gratitude for hosting the Narrative Summit in Somabay for the second consecutive year, Ibrahim El-Messiri, Group CEO of Somabay, Red Sea, underscored the importance of this collaboration stating, “For over 35 years, we’ve been shaping this region into one of the world’s most stunning and sustainable tourism destinations. Today, Egypt is emerging as a hub for exciting new resorts that offer unique experiences. The country’s tourism journey has come a long way—from the timeless allure of ancient monuments and Nile cruises to the rise of modern coastal gems like El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and most recently, the vibrant and evolving Somabay.” He said
“We are proud to be part of this inspiring initiative and look forward to seeing the summit’s activities contribute to elevating Egypt’s image as a country fully capable of hosting and organizing major international events—one that reflects the true face of modern Egypt.” He added.
