SDG Summit 2023 in NY: The Minister of Planning and Economy participates in the session “The High-Impact Initiative on UN Digital Public Infrastructure"

 H.E. The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala El-Said, participated in the session "The High-Impact Initiative on UN Digital Public Infrastructure" organized by the United Nations Development Program and the International Telecommunication Union as part of the weekend activity into the work of sustainable development goals. 

 The session took place in conjunction with the UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit, which will take place on 18-19. September in New York. 

  The meeting was attended by Achim Steiner, Director of the United Nations Development Program, Doreen Martin, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union, and Esther Dueck, Minister of Public Administration and Innovation of Brazil. 

 

 

 In his speech, Dr. Hala El-Said noted that the world is witnessing a digital transformation revolution and that Egypt understands that digital public infrastructure is essential to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Plan, as Egypt's Vision 2030 recognizes that communication and information systems are. essential parts of the infrastructure. 

 

 

 

 El-Said added that to achieve this goal, Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has begun to build "Digital Egypt", a comprehensive vision and plan that lays the foundation for transforming Egypt into a digital society through digital transformation and improvement. 

 Egypt proved to be an important data corridor at the international level, and to maintain this position, the international infrastructure was modernized and expanded, in addition to increasing the establishment of data centers, efforts were made to strengthen the infrastructure. at the national level, including strengthening mobile phone networks and services. 

 

 From an institutional perspective, El-Said referred to the establishment of the National Payment Council and the Supreme Council of the Digital Society to support the integration of databases and provide automated services to citizens and various entities. In addition, an electronic payment system and electronic public procurement and contracts were introduced to simplify contracting procedures and increase transparency, and fixed and mobile technology centers were established in the provinces to facilitate the delivery of services to citizens. Digitization of public services has played a key role in increasing the targeting of eligible beneficiaries under social protection programs. 

 El-Said added that Egypt's digital electronic platform offers better, wider, and more efficient access to a wide range of public services provided in cooperation with service providers.  Another important part of digital public infrastructure is its role in addressing the urgent global problem of climate change. 

This will facilitate the exchange of information needed to develop solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and empower communities to prepare and respond more quickly to extreme weather events. 

 

 Digital public infrastructure also contributes to the country's journey to a greener future by digitizing management processes, developing smart infrastructure, integrating clean energy sources, engaging citizens, and creating innovative waste management solutions.  

 

 The Minister of Planning and Economic Development concluded his speech by underlining Egypt's commitment to achieve significant progress and widespread adoption of information and communication technology systems, connecting all geographic areas to the Internet and related services. In addition, Egypt aims to increase the reliance on big data and artificial intelligence in all sectors and to improve the availability and development of these modern technologies in all parts of society to bridge the digital divide and ensure the transition to a digital society.