Egyptian Planning Minister Highlights Vision 2030 at World Government Summit
14 February 2024
Dr. Hala El Said, Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, made a significant contribution today at the World Government Summit in Dubai, engaging in a thought-provoking session titled "Journey of Change: The Power of Government Planning in Influencing Society." This session was part of the summit's overarching theme, "Envisioning the Governments of the Future," which convened distinguished leaders and thinkers from around the globe to explore innovative strategies and approaches to governance and development. The summit, spanning from February 12 to February 14, 2024, provided a platform for sharing insights, best practices, and collaborative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly evolving global landscape.
In her address, Dr. Hala El Said underscored the pivotal role of Egypt's Vision 2030 in shaping the nation's trajectory towards sustainable development. Aligned with Africa's Agenda 2063, Egypt's Vision 2030 transcends mere national strategy; it embodies a dynamic roadmap propelled by digital progress and adaptability to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Dr. El Said emphasized that Egypt's commitment to Vision 2030 extends beyond rhetoric to concrete action, as evidenced by the implementation of innovative e-Government initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement.
Central to Egypt's forward-looking agenda is the digital platform launched in 2018, which serves as a comprehensive repository of data and analytics, enabling real-time monitoring of key development indicators. This data-driven approach empowers policymakers with timely insights to inform evidence-based decision-making and responsive policy formulation. Dr. El Said highlighted the platform's role in fostering collaboration across sectors and catalyzing inclusive growth that leaves no one behind.
Moreover, Dr. El Said reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, articulating ambitious targets to increase the proportion of green public investments to 40% by 2023/2024, with a further target of 50% by 2024/2025. These targets underscore Egypt's recognition of the urgent need to transition towards a more sustainable and resilient economy, grounded in principles of environmental stewardship and resource efficiency.
In tandem with its environmental agenda, Egypt has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance the quality of life in rural communities through the Green Village initiative. This initiative seeks to empower "Decent Life" initiative villages with the tools and knowledge needed to manage their natural resources sustainably. By promoting community-led approaches to resource management and capacity building, the Green Village initiative aims to foster resilience and empower rural communities to thrive in harmony with their natural surroundings.
Furthermore, Dr. El Said announced the launch of the Cairo Center for Localizing Sustainable Development Goals, a pioneering initiative in partnership with UN-Habitat and the UN Development Program. This center will serve as a hub for advancing sustainable development goals at the local level, leveraging partnerships and knowledge-sharing to accelerate progress towards shared objectives.
The Decent Life initiative, encompassing all 4,500 villages in Egypt, has garnered international acclaim for its innovative approach to poverty alleviation and community empowerment. Recognized on prestigious platforms such as the UN Accelerators of UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2020 and the Best International Practices Platform in 2021, the Decent Life initiative stands as a testament to Egypt's commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
In closing, Dr. Hala El Said reiterated Egypt's firm commitment to advancing its development agenda in partnership with the private sector, civil society organizations, and international partners. As Egypt charts its course towards a more inclusive and sustainable future, it remains steadfast in its resolve to harness the power of innovation, collaboration, and resilience to build a better tomorrow for all.