H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat Meets with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to Discuss Joint Efforts in Promoting Economic Development & Enhancing Regional Integration

 

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, continues her meetings during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future in New York. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat held discussions with Ambassador Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The discussions encompassed various topics pertinent to the mission of the UNECA in enhancing the economic and social development of its member states, promoting integration within the region, and fostering international cooperation for Africa's development.

 

During her meeting with the Executive Secretary of UNECA, H.E. Minister Al-Mashat discussed the Commission’s efforts in advancing the economic and social development of member states, supporting regional integration, and promoting international cooperation for Africa’s development. The conversation also addressed the importance of supporting quality growth amidst the transformation of the global financial system and the challenges facing developing countries, particularly debt issues. She emphasized the necessity of ensuring equitable financing that addresses diverse developmental challenges and enhancing private sector participation in sustainable development processes.

 

The meeting reviewed topics related to strengthening bilateral cooperation, such as benefiting from Egypt's experience in development, given its status as a middle-income country in Africa. Both parties exchanged views on advancing the South-South and Triangular Cooperation. The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation has launched a strategy to support developmental cooperation among countries of the South and enhance triangular collaboration to contribute to developmental efforts in developing and emerging nations through knowledge exchange mechanisms and the dissemination of successful developmental experiences.

 

Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat referenced the launch of the National Integrated Financing Strategy by the Ministry, as part of its efforts to support comprehensive economic development in Egypt, noting the constructive cooperation with UNECA in preparing the "Sharm El-Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing."

 

In addition, the Executive Secretary of UNECA invited H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat to participate in the African Economic Conference 2024, which will be held under the theme "Securing Africa's Economic Future Amidst Growing Uncertainty" in November 2024 in Botswana, affirming the significance of Egypt's efforts to advance South-South cooperation and support the continent's priorities before international institutions.

 

It is noteworthy that UNECA is one of the international institutions that participated in the  “Egypt International Cooperation Forum in both 2021 and 2022, and played a key role with the Ministry in launching the "Sharm El-Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing."

 

The Minister's participation in the United Nations meetings is part of the Ministry's role in promoting sustainable economic growth. The Ministry’s objectives focus on driving sustainable economic growth through three key pillars: evidence-based policies to address development gaps, fostering macroeconomic stability, implementing structural reforms to enhance competitiveness and improve the business environment, supporting the resilience of macroeconomic policies, transitioning to a green economy, and mobilizing both domestic and international financing within an integrated national financing framework.

 

The Ministry works to achieve this through a country-led multi-stakeholder engagement framework, powered by national coordination and international cooperation, including ministries, governorates, national agencies, development partners, international financing institutions, multilateral development banks, the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, think tanks, and others.