On the sidelines of representing Egypt at the HLPF on Sustainable Development in New York: The Minister of Planning and Economic Development meets UN ECOSOC President
15 July 2022
H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, met with Mr. Colin Vixen Kelabel, President of the Economic and Social Council and Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations (UN ECOSCO).
This came during her representation of Egypt at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, held under the theme "Building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic while promoting the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development".
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of Planning welcomed the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, commending his efforts in reconvening this year’s United Nations High-Level Political Forum, providing leadership, guidance, and recommendations for sustainable development.
El-Said also praised Botswana's second presentation of its voluntary national review this year, noting the importance of building on the successes, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing the seventeen global goals for sustainable development, especially in light of the current global economic crisis.
During the meeting, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development clarified that Egypt believes that a successful response to the challenges we face must include a broader set of economic and development goals.
El-Said pointed out that Egypt was one of the leading countries that had a national strategy for sustainable development in line with the UN 2030 Agenda, and it was also consistent and compatible with Africa's Agenda 2063.
Dr. Hala El-Said added that the priority of the Egyptian state through Egypt's Vision 2030 is to achieve sustainable development, promote comprehensive economic growth, achieve sustainable use of natural resources, and protect the environment through the transition to a green economy.
El-Said also referred to the launch of the Egyptian state, in cooperation with The Arab League and the United Nations, the first comprehensive national report on financing for development, the "Sustainable Development Financing Report".
El-Said pointed to Egypt's hosting of COP 27 on behalf of Africa, which comes within the framework of stressing the importance of collective action to meet the global challenges of climate change.
El-Said highlighted the importance of the United Nations' global efforts on climate change and appreciated the value of multilateral, collective, and concerted action as the only way to confront this global threat.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Hala El-Said stressed the importance of fruitful partnerships with all countries and organizations for effective cooperation and communication to achieve the goals of sustainable development.