Egyptian National Green Projects Initiative and UN Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Sustainable Development

The National Initiative for Smart Green Projects hosted a meeting in the New Administrative Capital to strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with the United Nations in Egypt, aiming to fully support green projects to drive the transition to a green economy. This comes concurrently with the ongoing acceptance of applications for the third phase of the initiative.

The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Hisham Badr, Assistant Minister of Planning for Strategic Partnerships and National Coordinator of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects. Also present were Elena Panova, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Egypt, and representatives of the UN team in Egypt.

Ambassador Hisham Badr opened the event by emphasizing the interest of Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, in enhancing cooperation and strategic partnership between the initiative and the United Nations, which has been ongoing since the initiative's inception. This reflects the importance of collective action to address urgent global issues such as climate change. He noted that the initiative's endorsement by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi underscores Egypt's priority and political leadership in addressing climate change issues.

Ambassador Badr stated that the initiative aims, in collaboration with its UN partners, to empower local communities and enhance sustainable development worldwide. He emphasized that the initiative will not rest on its past successes but will continue as a globally admired model to achieve its goals and create a more sustainable future.

Badr underscored the crucial role of UN organizations in promoting sustainability projects, highlighting their support and expertise in project development. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing the attractiveness of green projects to investors through clear communication and familiar strategic language.

Furthermore, Ambassador Badr highlighted the significant contributions of UNDP, WFP, and other UN agencies in advancing sustainable initiatives, noting the remarkable progress of the national initiative. He concluded by reaffirming the collective commitment to enhancing sustainability through cooperation and innovation, expressing eagerness to continue partnering with the UN and local and international stakeholders to achieve lasting environmental impact.

Elena Panova echoed Ambassador Badr's remarks, praising the significant progress made by the Egyptian national initiative as it enters its third phase. She attributed this success to local participation and solutions driven by the local community, emphasizing its practical impact on the ground. Panova emphasized the UN's steadfast support for Egypt's initiatives, providing technical expertise and facilitating shared partnerships.

Panova stated, "The United Nations remains steadfast in supporting Egypt's initiatives, providing technical expertise, enhancing partnerships, and facilitating joint relationships." She stressed the importance of comprehensive work and cooperation across various sectors to find effective climate solutions, highlighting the participation of many UN agencies in supporting Egypt's efforts.

Representatives from UN agencies, including UNDP, WFP, UN Women, UNIDO, FAO, UN-Habitat, IOM, and UNESCO, affirmed their commitment to supporting Egypt's green and sustainable projects. They pledged technical assistance, financing, and strategic partnerships to expand the scope and impact of these projects.

The event included presentations showcasing success stories of winning projects and innovations in various fields such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management. Representatives of UN agencies committed to ongoing support and collaboration to expand the initiative's scope and effectiveness.

It is worth noting that the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects is currently accepting applications for its third phase through the website sgg.eg. Ambassador Badr urged all stakeholders to raise awareness about the initiative and provide all green projects with the opportunity to benefit from the support offered by the initiative and its partners.