During HLPF 2023 activities in NY:Deputy Minister of Planning moderates a side event entitled "Dissemination of Local Voluntary Reports to Accelerate the 2030 Agenda and Localize the SDGs"

Dr. Ahmed Kamali, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, moderated the activities of the side event organized by the ministry as a representative of the Sustainable Development Unit.

The event was entitled "Dissemination of local voluntary reports to Accelerate the 2030 Agenda and Localize SDGs".

The event was organized in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and the European Commission for the Regions (European Union).

The event witnessed the presence of H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2023, which was held in New York from 10-19 July.

The event also witnessed the presence of Maymoonah Muhammad, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (Habitat), Ambassador Muhammad Amir Khan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, and Abdullah Al Dardari, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Office for Arab States of the United Nations Program Ambassador Antonio Francisco, Special Adviser on International Relations to the Minister of Cities, Brazil, Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga, Portugal and member of the European Union Commission, and Fernandez Barasa, Governor of Kakamega Province, Kenya.

Dr. Ahmed Kamali explained that the event contributes to the exchange of ideas and experiences about effective tools and means of accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The event focuses on localizing sustainable development goals and voluntary local reviews.

Kamali referred to the development progress witnessed by many regions of the world since the 2030 Agenda adoption in 2015 until now.

Kamali stressed the need for everyone to fulfill their common and differentiated obligations and responsibilities. This is to eradicate poverty and hunger and reduce inequality in all its forms. This is done while providing quality services to citizens, protecting the global environment, and promoting joint climate action.

Kamali also explained that the Egyptian government has taken extensive steps to accelerate the sustainable development goals by 2030. He referred to the launch of unprecedented and ambitious development initiatives such as the "Decent Life" initiative and many other sectoral plans to achieve the 17 SDGs.

Kamali referred to the Egyptian experience of adapting the SDGs locally. He also referred to the process of preparing and issuing three voluntary state reports (VLRs) for the first time in Egypt as a key tool to empower local communities to be catalysts for change.