H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Meets with Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, in the 1st meeting following the merger of the ministries to discuss several joint issues

During the 43rd World Scout Conference held in Cairo with the participation of representatives from 176 countries
 
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Meets with Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, in the 1st meeting following the merger of the ministries to discuss several joint issues.

 

Discussions on the upcoming “Summit of the Future” to be held during the United Nations General Assembly next September.

Al-Mashat briefs the UN Deputy Secretary-General on the ministry’s work areas following the merging of the Planning and International Cooperation portfolios and the progress in implementing the Egypt - United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Agreement (UNSDCF 2023-2027).

"Al-Mashat": We are working on monitoring progress in achieving the SDGs across different governorates in collaboration with the UN Population Fund.

We are cooperating with various UN agencies to implement numerous programs and activities aligned with Egypt’s development priorities.

"Al-Mashat": Developing innovative policies to enhance economic performance, emphasizing the role of youth and the private sector in achieving the SDGs.

The necessity of restructuring the global financial system and adopting innovative economic models to accelerate progress towards the UN goals.

The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation has completed the formulation of an integrated national financing framework for sustainable development and is preparing for its launch.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General congratulates "Al-Mashat" on assuming the position of Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation and affirms the strong partnership between Egypt and the United Nations.

 

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, met with Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, to discuss several joint issues during the 43rd World Scout Conference. This conference, hosted by Egypt from August 17 to 23, 2024, is organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement and hosted by the Egyptian Federation of Scouts and Girl Guides.

 

At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation welcomed the UN Deputy Secretary-General, highlighting the significance of hosting the World Scout Conference in Egypt and acknowledging the global scouting movement’s role in developing and enhancing the skills of young people to become active citizens capable of positive change.

 

The UN Deputy Secretary-General congratulated Al-Mashat on her appointment as Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation. She noted the United Nations' and its agencies' commitment to strengthening collaborative efforts with Egypt in advancing towards the SDGs and addressing developmental needs in line with Egypt’s vision and priorities.

 

The meeting also included discussions on the “Summit of the Future” to be held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Egyptian government's efforts in achieving the SDGs. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat briefed the Deputy Secretary-General on the ministry's work areas following the recent merging of the Planning and International Cooperation ministries and the progress in implementing the Egypt - United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Agreement (UNSDCF 2023-2027).

 

Summit of the Future

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat discussed the objectives of the “Summit of the Future”, scheduled to be held alongside the 79th UN General Assembly next September. She explained that this summit aligns with the start of the new government’s work in Egypt, which has launched an ambitious program aimed at a new and innovative approach to evidence-based policymaking and comprehensive development across all sectors. This approach reflects the political leadership’s vision in sustainable development, fair development finance, and inclusive and sustainable human, economic, and social development, particularly following the recent merger of the ministries in the new government formation.

 

Innovative Financing Tools

 

The conversation also addressed the high-level side event at the Summit of the Future in New York titled "Leveraging Innovative Financing Tools to Accelerate Sustainable Development: A Roadmap for Just Development Finance." In this context, H.E. Minister Al-Mashat discussed Egypt’s efforts in launching the Sharm El-Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing during COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022, in partnership with several international organizations and entities. The Minister also emphasized that the guidebook aims to promote just financing principles and define the roles and responsibilities of all relevant entities to stimulate developing countries and emerging economies to attract environmentally friendly investments, particularly through private sector projects.

 

Egypt’s Country Platform for the NWFE Program

 

The meeting also reviewed Egypt’s Country Platform for the NWFE Program, which represents a practical application of just financing principles and serves as an effective regional model and approach for concessional financing addressing adaptation, mitigation, and resilience issues. This involves 20 development partners, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the United States, Germany, France, and others.

 

Effective Development Partnerships

 

The importance of fostering effective development partnerships and involving the private sector in achieving sustainable development was emphasized. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat highlighted the need for adopting innovative economic models and just and effective development financing systems to restructure the global financial system. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the “Summit of the Future” aims to develop measures for progress in sustainable development.

 

Moreover, the Minister also pointed out the significance of country platforms in enhancing development and climate action, citing the joint statement by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group on the importance of such platforms as one of the mechanisms for reforming the multilateral development bank system. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that the NWFE program is a practical model of these platforms and reflects Egypt’s significant progress in development and climate action efforts.

 

"Shabab Balad" Initiative

 

The meeting also addressed the ministry’s efforts in launching the national version of the UN initiative "Generation Unlimited" under the name "Shabab Balad" to implement development projects in partnership with the private sector, international development partners, and civil society organizations and youth.

 

Integration of Sustainable Development Goals in Local Development Planning

 

The discussion further looked into the SDGs, Egypt Vision 2030, and integrating their governing principles into local development planning and national strategies with development partners. It was noted that Egypt has submitted Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) in 2016, 2018, and 2021, and invested efforts to localize the SDGs in each governorate, with 27 reports released in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2021. These reports track progress towards achieving the SDGs across different governorates, with the second edition of the reports being prepared in coordination with the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics and expected to be released in the near future.

 

Egypt Integrated National Financing Framework (E-INFF)

Al-Mashat outlined that the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation has completed the formulation of the Egypt Integrated National Financing Framework (E-INFF). This framework aims to enhance planning processes and financing for SDGs on the national level, identify the full scope of domestic and international financing sources, and enable countries to achieve sustainable development priorities. The ministry plans to launch this framework soon.