Deputy Minister Leads High-Level Meeting to Advance Green Jobs Assessment Model in Egypt

Dr. Ahmed Kamali, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, spearheaded a pivotal gathering of the Special Working Group tasked with advancing the Green Jobs Assessment Model. The session, convened in collaboration with the International Labor Organization, marked a significant stride towards bolstering the region's decent work agenda, within the overarching framework of sustainable development in North Africa.

In attendance were esteemed figures including Dr. Mona Essam, Assistant Minister for Sustainable Development; Dr. Hanan Nazeer, Head of the Labor Market Policies Unit at the Ministry; and Dr. Ahmed Ashour, Supervisor of the National Accounts Unit at the Ministry. The meeting also drew participation from representatives of the International Labor Organization, ministries of planning, economic development, environment, and labor, alongside key agencies such as the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the National Planning Institute, and the Decision Support and Information Center.

Dr. Kamali underscored Egypt's steadfast commitment to addressing climate change concerns and implementing environmentally sustainable policies, as outlined in the nation's visionary blueprint, Egypt Vision 2030. Emphasizing the significance of applying the Green Jobs Assessment Model within Egypt's context, he highlighted its potential to gauge the socio-economic impacts of climate policies, particularly within the realm of the labor market. Dr. Kamali stressed the model's instrumental role in guiding evidence-based policy decisions, thereby aiding the Ministry of Planning in its mandate.

Furthermore, Dr. Kamali shed light on Egypt's multifaceted approach towards climate issues, intertwined with broader strategic objectives encompassing decent work, employment generation, and fostering sustainable growth across vital sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, telecommunications, and information technology.

Underpinning Egypt's commitment to sustainable development, Dr. Kamali elaborated on the country's robust governance framework encapsulated in Egypt Vision 2030, alongside its proactive stance in contributing to global climate action. He highlighted the workshop's pivotal role in aligning climate considerations with Egypt's strategic imperatives, underscoring the synergistic integration of climate goals with broader development agendas.

Dr. Kamali elucidated on the comprehensive nature of the Green Jobs Assessment Model, emphasizing its holistic approach towards addressing climate challenges alongside broader developmental aspirations. He reiterated Egypt's endorsement of a just transition paradigm, advocating for equitable burden-sharing in climate adaptation efforts across national and local contexts. Stressing the importance of data integrity, Dr. Kamali emphasized the imperative of robust data provision to bolster the model's analytical robustness and policy relevance.

In articulating Egypt's evidence-driven policy landscape, Dr. Kamali highlighted ongoing collaborative endeavors with international stakeholders aimed at fostering evidence-based policy formulation. He emphasized inclusivity as a guiding principle, evident in the workshop's diverse stakeholder representation spanning governmental ministries, agencies, and civil society actors.

Touching upon the economic dimensions of climate action, Dr. Kamali delved into the associated costs and potential returns inherent in green transitions. He underscored the unique challenges confronting developing countries like Egypt, particularly in financing and navigating transitions amidst resource constraints. However, he remained optimistic, positing that concerted efforts towards sustainable transitions could yield substantial dividends surpassing initial investment outlays.

Lastly, Dr. Kamali spotlighted the ongoing "Adwaa" project spearheaded by the International Labor Organization in Egypt's second phase. This initiative aims to bolster the region's decent work agenda through the development of a tailored Green Jobs Assessment Model in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. Notably, the model serves as a global benchmark for assessing the impact of green and climate policies on job creation, income distribution, and economic growth, underpinning Egypt's commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive future.