● The Minister of International Cooperation discusses with the World Food Program the implementation of the new country program for 2023-2028 and joint efforts to support refugees.
● The Minister of International Cooperation discusses innovative financing mechanisms with the Vice President of Citibank & the implementation of the “Sharm El-Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing” recommendations.
● Al-Mashat discusses opportunities for joint cooperation to advance youth empowerment efforts through international partnerships with Silatech CEO.
During the participation of H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, in the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, H.E. met with Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Program (WFP); Jay Collins, Vice Chairman of Citibank, and Hassan Al-Mulla, CEO of Silatech, in light of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen joint relations with development partners and regional and international organizations to support the country’s development vision.
World Food Programme
The Minister of International Cooperation and with the Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP), discussed efforts to strengthen the partnership between the Government of Egypt and the WFP in light of the implementation of the program’s new national strategy that was approved mid-year for 2023-2028, with the aim of stimulating food security efforts in light of Egypt’s 2030 Vision and increasing programs to support small farmers and empower women in rural areas.
Al-Mashat stressed the long-term strategic partnership with the WFP to expand programs and projects to enhance food security, increase the incomes of small farmers, and stimulate south-south cooperation through development experiments implemented in various governorates of Egypt, and the consistency of these efforts with national plans and priorities and presidential initiatives, especially "Decent Life" initiative.
The meeting also discussed the challenges facing food security globally in light of geopolitical crises and their impact on supply chains. In the same context, the Minister discussed the new programs to be implemented in Egypt in light of the new country programme, the strategic framework for partnership with the United Nations 2023-2027, and Egypt’s Vision 2030.
The Minister highlighted the close coordination between the WFP and the national entities in Egypt to support Sudan in their crisis and meet the urgent needs of those affected by the Sudanese crisis.
Citibank
Moreover, Al-Mashat met with Vice Chairman of Citibank Jay Collins on enhancing private sector participation in climate action projects, and continued cooperation within the framework of the “Sharm El-Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing” to transform policy into practice and promote a just, green transition.
The meeting also discussed developments in the country platform for the “NWFE” programme, as it is a model for national platforms aiming to mobilize climate investments in mitigation and adaptation projects, addressing the repercussions of climate change.
Silatech
The Minister of International Cooperation held a discussion session with the CEO of Silatech, an international non-governmental, non-profit social development institution based in Qatar, which works to enhance the ability of youth to access jobs and develop projects through innovative solutions and entrepreneurship.
The meeting witnessed a review of Egypt’s development cooperation portfolio and efforts made with development partners to enhance innovation and solutions to support entrepreneurship. Potential aspects of cooperation were also discussed with Qatar and the Silatech Foundation, in light of its commitment to expanding the scope of youth empowerment and support programs to include the Middle East and North Africa region, in a way that supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The Minister referred to the programs and projects that are being implemented in light of international partnerships to support and empower youth, stimulate entrepreneurship, and provide financing for small and medium enterprises, under the umbrella and vision of the state and its endeavor to increase job opportunities, explaining that this approach enhances the opportunities for partnership with the Silatech, through its various programs and projects to enhance skills development and training efforts.
Al-Mashat reviewed the “Shabab Balad” youth Initiative, the Egyptian version of the United Nations Generation Unlimited, which enhances efforts to develop youth skills and provide quality education and job opportunities, and represents an important framework for potential cooperation with the Silatech, pointing out that the initiative is a model of multilateral cooperation, where the Advisory Council and implementing agencies include development partners, as well as the private sector, government sector, civil society, and youth representatives as well.
Moreover, the Minister discussed opportunities for cooperation with Silatech within the framework of the efforts undertaken by Egypt Ventures to empower startups in the field of climate action technology. The Minister also presented the partnership with the Dutch Embassy in the “Orange Corners” program, which addresses small projects for youth and entrepreneurs in Upper Egypt and Cairo, which has contributed to the graduation of 73 startup companies so far, 67% of which are led by women.