Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Presents Egypt's Practical Experience in Launching the "NWFE" Platform During a Meeting with the Tanzanian Government and International Think Tanks

In line with the Ministry’s Strategy to Enhance Economic Cooperation between South-South Countries and African Nations

Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Presents Egypt's Practical Experience in Launching the "NWFE" Platform During a Meeting with the Tanzanian Government and International Think Tanks

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat:

 

Egypt and Africa share a common history and constructive cooperation in various fields, and we are open to transferring and exchanging developmental experiences.

 

The Ministry has established a precise governance framework for the program to enhance the utilization of funding and technical support from international partners.

 

Maximizing private sector participation in climate action through national platforms strengthens green transition efforts.

 

National platforms have become a global requirement to enable countries to achieve their climate ambitions and provide financial space to implement mitigation and adaptation projects.

 

 The Tanzanian government, in collaboration with the International Growth Centre (IGC) of the London School of Economics and Political Science in partnership with the University of Oxford, and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), received H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, in a high-level workshop to benefit from Egypt’s experience in launching the national platform for the "NWFE" program. This program was introduced by Egypt during the COP27 climate conference to mobilize climate investments in the water, food, and energy sectors. The Tanzanian government has begun setting up a similar platform in light of African countries' efforts to address climate change. This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s strategy for economic cooperation among South-South countries and triangular cooperation, aimed at supporting sustainable development efforts and climate action through knowledge exchange among countries with similar conditions. The strategy involves showcasing successful developmental practices implemented with development partners and leveraging South-South and triangular cooperation platforms to replicate and expand these practices in developing and emerging economies. The workshop was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Planning Committee and the First Secretary of the Tanzanian Cabinet, as well as officials from various Tanzanian ministries and international think tanks. In her address, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the success of national platforms requires effective contributions and constructive partnerships between governments, the private sector, international institutions, multilateral development banks, and bilateral partnerships. This collaboration aims to provide funding and technical support while leveraging the comparative advantages of each partner to enhance climate action. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat explained that Egypt established the "NWFE" program platform based on the principle of "national ownership," which mobilizes funding to bridge the climate action financing gap according to national needs and priorities.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also highlighted that the "NWFE" platform model is adaptable for other countries in the continent aiming to meet their climate mitigation and adaptation goals. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat further noted that national platforms are distinguished by their ability to clearly present government priorities for climate action and the projects intended for implementation. This clarity encourages private sector investment in these projects.

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat referred to the G20 recommendations on the importance of the national platform concept. She also mentioned the G7 initiative to establish Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) to support emerging economies reliant on coal for energy to transition fairly to clean energy. In this context, South Africa has launched its platform.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that Egypt has introduced a national platform for green projects, serving as a model similar to the G7 initiative and as a regional and international approach for countries with lower emission contributions, particularly developing and emerging economies and African countries. This platform helps attract funding to address climate change impacts and strengthen green transition efforts, as well as implement national contributions.

 

The Minister highlighted that the platform’s unique feature is its focus not only on the energy sector but also prioritizes water and food sectors, which are significantly impacted by climate change and are of critical importance to African countries given the continent's challenges. H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the cooperation between Egypt and Tanzania to establish a national climate platform extends the strong partnership between the two countries, particularly in the private sector, where Egyptian companies have constructed the Tanzanian dam that contributes to renewable energy in the country. This collaboration signifies numerous commonalities between the two nations and with other countries. 

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed out that national platforms drive countries to transition from climate commitments to actual implementation.

 

 H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat stressed the importance of these platforms in linking climate action with sustainable development goals, ensuring that development efforts do not come at the expense of climate action. They also create a framework for partnership and cooperation with international institutions based on national priorities. Accordingly, the "NWFE" program involves multiple partners, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, climate investment funds, private sector companies, and non-profit organizations.

 

 H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat underscored the role of South-South and triangular cooperation in enhancing effective partnerships and commended the Tanzanian government for its initiative to launch a national platform. She affirmed Egypt’s readiness to provide necessary support by sharing its experience and successful practices. She also emphasized the importance of maximizing private sector involvement in climate action through national platforms, which have become a global necessity for enabling countries to achieve their climate goals and provide the financial space for mitigation and adaptation projects.

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat concluded by acknowledging the significance of good governance frameworks for effective partnerships and positive outcomes. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat revealed that a Steering Committee for the "NWFE" platform has been established to coordinate work among relevant parties and monitor progress toward mobilizing necessary investments.

 

 H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat noted that as a result of these joint efforts, Egypt has been able to set more ambitious goals and update its nationally determined contributions, reflecting the country’s commitment to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon development path.

 

 H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also mentioned the government's pledge to increase the development and deployment of renewable energy to achieve a target of 42% of total installed capacity from renewable sources by 2030, instead of the original 2035 target. This goal indicates Egypt's commitment to expediting the shift to clean energy sources and enhancing renewable energy use to reduce reliance on unsustainable sources.