Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Delivers the Opening Speech at the training workshop of the Mediterranean Regional Cooperation Program

Within the Framework of the Close Partnership Between Egypt and the European Union

Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Delivers the Opening Speech at the training workshop of the Mediterranean Regional Cooperation Program

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, delivered the opening speech at the training workshop for the "Mediterranean Regional Cooperation Program" training workshop, organized in collaboration between the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation and the European Union, within the framework of enhancing regional cooperation between Mediterranean countries to support sustainable development, with the participation of representatives of 15 countries.

At the beginning of her speech, H.E. Dr. A. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the close partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union, which witnessed a significant development during 2024, supports the Egyptian government's efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic development, in addition to providing guarantees that open avenues for foreign investments in Egypt, as the relationship has been elevated to a strategic partnership, accompanied by the signing of a financial package that shapes the future of cooperation between the two sides.

Al Mashat added that this workshop comes at a crucial time to discuss the details of launching the second call for for green transformation projects to submit proposals to be implemented under the new regional program known as "Interreg NEXT MED",  which aims to support innovative solutions to address the current climate challenges in the Mediterranean region by enhancing resource efficiency, adopting a circular economy, promoting climate innovation, and developing sustainable environmental solutions that address urgent climate issues. The program also allows stakeholders in the region to participate in joint projects that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and enhance regional integration, reflecting our collective commitment to achieving sustainable and environmentally-friendly economic growth.

The Minister highlighted The Mediterranean Basin Cross-Border Cooperation Program Phase III, which represents one of the largest regional cooperation initiatives implemented by the European Union. This program builds on the experiences and results achieved under the ENI CBC MED program for the periods 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, and also strengthened people to people cooperation through partnerships between the public sector, private sector, and civil society over these various phases, and the implemented projects have been reflected in advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this context, H.E. affirmed that Egypt benefited from the "ENI CBC MED" program during the period 2014-2020 with approximately 26 projects targeting priority sectors such as small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) development, tourism, education, scientific research, technological development and innovation, social inclusion, climate change, renewable energy, and integrated coastal zone management, which were implemented in several Egyptian governorates.

Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the new regional program "Interreg NEXT MED" has come to continue these successes and plays a vital role in achieving smart, sustainable, and equitable development in the Mediterranean region. It enhances balanced and deep cooperation and supports multi-level governance. The program also focuses on financing projects that address common social, economic, environmental, and governance challenges at the Mediterranean level, including adopting advanced technologies, enhancing SME competitiveness, job creation, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable water management, enhancing climate change adaptation efforts, transitioning to a circular and resource-efficient economy, and improving education, training, and healthcare services.

H.E. explained that the Mediterranean region has been home to the world's oldest civilizations, serving as a hub for trade, industry, and transport, as well as being a unique area for biodiversity and innovation. However, the region faces many common challenges, including climate change, unemployment, and social inequality. In response, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation is committed to implementing ambitious programs and partnerships at both regional and bilateral levels to address these challenges.

Furthermore, H.E. also affirmed that these programs are consistent with the framework of sustainability and financing for economic development, which forms the core of the work of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, aiming to achieve sustainable qualitative growth and bridge development gaps, through the formulation of economic development policies supported by evidence and data, building a resilient economy capable of withstanding shocks through implementing structural reforms to increase competitiveness, improve the business environment, and drive green transformation, in addition to optimal allocation and utilization of resources and integration between domestic and foreign resources to achieve development.