Why in News?
In October 2025, world leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh again to deliberate on ending the two-year Gaza conflict, reflecting the city’s continuing role as a neutral diplomatic platform for peace and international cooperation.
Description:
Geographical & Strategic Overview:
- Location:
Sharm el-Sheikh is located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt — overlooking the Straits of Tiran, which lie at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. - Strategic Importance:
- The Straits of Tiran provide Israel’s only direct access to the Red Sea.
- Due to its location, it has held great military and geopolitical significance in West Asian affairs.
- Historical Transitions:
- Originally a small fishing village, it became a major Egyptian naval base in the 20th century.
- 1956: Captured by Israel during the Suez Crisis.
- 1957–1967: Placed under UN Peacekeeping Forces.
- 1967: Retaken by Israel during the Six-Day War.
- 1982: Returned to Egypt after the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty (Camp David Accords, 1979).
- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak later designated it as the “City of Peace”.
Transformation into an International Hub:
- Post-1982, Sharm el-Sheikh developed into a major resort and conference destination, symbolizing peace and diplomacy.
- By 2000, it housed around 100 resorts, serving as a meeting ground for regional and global summits.
Major International Summits & Conferences Hosted:
| Year | Summit / Conference | Key Highlights |
| 1999 | Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum | Signed between Israel PM Ehud Barak and PNA Chairman Yasser Arafat, mediated by US, Egypt, and Jordan. Aimed to advance Palestinian self-governance in Gaza and release prisoners. |
| 2000 | Emergency Peace Summit | Attended by Arafat, Barak, Bill Clinton, Mubarak, King Abdullah, Kofi Annan, Javier Solana — convened to address the outbreak of the Second Intifada. |
| 2005 | Sharm el-Sheikh Summit | Israel PM Ariel Sharon and PNA chief Mahmoud Abbas declared a ceasefire to end the Second Intifada. |
| 2006, 2008, 2014 | World Economic Forum (WEF) – MENA Region | Focused on economic cooperation, regional stability, climate change, and security issues in the Middle East and North Africa. |
| 2019 | 1st EU–Arab League Summit | First-ever meeting between the European Union and the Arab League; discussed migration, security, and conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Libya. |
| 2022 | COP27 – UN Climate Change Conference | Led to the historic creation of a “Loss and Damage Fund” — to aid developing nations suffering from climate change impacts. |
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