Indian Delegation Impressed by Egypt's 'Decent Life' Rural Development Initiative in Aswan

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development organized a field visit for a high-level Indian delegation to learn about the Egyptian National Project for Rural Development, "Decent Life," in Aswan Governorate. The Indian delegation included Jet Singh, Senior Advisor at the National Institution for Transforming India, Render Mehra, Advisor at the National Institution for Transforming India, and Rangjit Kumar, official responsible for drinking water resources and development at the ministry. Dr. Jameel Helmi, Assistant Minister of Planning for Sustainable Development Plan Monitoring Affairs, stated that the visit of the Indian delegation reflects international interest in the Egyptian experience in comprehensive rural development through the "Decent Life" project. He emphasized that the project achieves all the Sustainable Development Goals in its various dimensions (economic, social, environmental), significantly contributing to localizing the Sustainable Development Goals in the Egyptian countryside. Therefore, it has been included for two consecutive years in the United Nations' "Goal Acceleration Platforms" and "Best International Practices," which is an international certification confirming the excellence of "Decent Life."

At the beginning of the visit, General Ashraf Attia, Governor of Aswan, welcomed the delegation from the Ministry of Planning and the Indian delegation, in the presence of the Ambassador of India to Cairo, Ajit Gupte. The governor emphasized the depth of Egyptian-Indian relations, manifested in the successive visits of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to India, and the fruitful meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance exchange of expertise and cooperation at all levels. He noted that the "Decent Life" project has transformed Egyptian villages from population-draining to attractive villages due to their strong infrastructure and diverse services. He also praised the continuous cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Planning in this regard.

During the meeting, the ministry's delegation, including Ahmed Reda, coordinator of the "Decent Life" initiative, and Hisham Younis, responsible for public relations at the ministry, highlighted that Upper Egypt governorates account for 68% of the total allocations for the first phase of "Decent Life," amounting to 350 billion Egyptian pounds, with Aswan's share reaching 12%. They reviewed the efforts exerted to implement financial inclusion in "Decent Life" villages and the "Green Village" initiative, aimed at preparing villages to comply with the latest global environmental standards. They mentioned that Fares Village in the governorate received the "Green Rural Communities Rationalization" certificate, being the first green village nationwide.

The Ministry of Planning organized a field visit for the Indian delegation to inspect "Decent Life" projects in Fares Village, with the participation of Brigadier Yasser Abdel Shafi, Assistant Secretary General of Aswan Governorate, Shoukry Mostafa, Head of Kom Ombo City Center, and Dina Ibrahim, Director of the International Cooperation Unit in the governorate. The visit included the inspection of the Kom Ombo Solar Power Station, with a capacity of 200 megawatts, contributing to the reduction of 280,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, with an achievement rate of 83%. Additionally, they visited the triple sewage treatment plant, with a capacity of 2/3 thousand cubic meters per day, with 95% completion for civil works and 93% for electromechanical works, providing sewage services to about 17,000 citizens, as well as utilizing treated water for agricultural irrigation.

The visit also included inspecting the Government Services Complex in Fares Village, housing (a technological center, civil registry, real estate registration, supply, post office, local unit, social solidarity), where they met with local residents who expressed their satisfaction with the provision of basic services in their village, affirming that "Decent Life" projects have achieved an unprecedented breakthrough in the village. The ministry's delegation then visited the village's health unit, operating according to the comprehensive health insurance system, inspecting the emergency clinic, examination and dental rooms, as well as the Fares Post Office, the first post office built according to green construction standards. They also visited the water purification plant development project, with a capacity of 2400 cubic meters per day, and the development of the Nile marina, which is one of the most important projects that qualified the village for the "Rationalization" certificate, providing a "green lung" for the residents, in addition to optimal utilization of the villages' relative advantages.

At the end of the field visit, the Indian delegation expressed their deep admiration for the Egyptian experience in rural development, and the vast number of projects being implemented simultaneously in all targeted villages, and their role in significantly improving the services provided to citizens. They also praised the integration of the environmental dimension in the "Decent Life" project through the "Green Village" initiative, extending thanks to the Ministry of Planning and Aswan Governorate for the warm reception and providing the opportunity to witness this pioneering experience firsthand.