● The MDBs emphasize the importance of country platforms for climate action and reaffirm their commitment to providing guidance and mobilizing finance for various countries.
● "NWFE" is a model for country platforms that have applied the G20 principles for policy coordination and translated Egypt's climate strategies into actionable projects.
● Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: We welcome the joint statement issued by multilateral development banks and remain committed to mobilizing more green investments.
● "Development finance" and "debt-for-climate swaps" are key tools for the success of "NWFE" in implementing national climate strategies.
● Egypt presents a unique model compared to (JETP) platforms, enhancing cooperation between the government, the private sector, and international institutions to drive climate action.
● Our strong partnership with multilateral development banks has contributed to creating an innovative platform that integrates key sectors supporting climate action.
● The program's formulation translates national visions and strategies into projects that attract green investments in mitigation and adaptation.
A joint statement titled “Country Platforms for Climate Action: MDB Statement of Common Understanding & Way Forward” was issued by 12 multilateral development banks. In the statement, they affirmed that national platforms can serve as powerful mechanisms to support the development and implementation of countries' strategies and nationally determined contributions (NDCs), national adaptation plans, and climate finance mobilization efforts. This can be achieved through a coordinated process led by the country and a partnership between all relevant stakeholders to build common understanding.
The multilateral development banks commended Egypt’s country platform for the Nexus of Water, Food and Energy "NWFE" program, which was launched in 2022 to strengthen green investment strategies. They highlighted that the platform focuses on the interconnections between water, food, and energy, which Egypt has identified as priority areas for climate and development. The Egyptian platform contributes to both climate change mitigation and adaptation, supports resilience, and facilitates a just transition within the broader environmental goals across sectors such as energy, transportation, water, and agriculture.
The statement was issued by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the IDB Invest, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the New Development Bank (NDB), and the World Bank Group (WBG).
The joint statement issued by multilateral development banks is available here.
In H.E.’s comments, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, emphasized that after nearly three years of preparation and implementation, the "NWFE" program has become a focal point for many multilateral development banks and international institutions due to its ability to create an innovative platform for policy coordination, based on the G20 principles, to translate climate strategies into actionable projects.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat welcomed the joint statement by multilateral development banks, noting that the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation continues to work with national stakeholders, development partners, and international institutions to mobilize more climate investments in mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also pointed out that Egypt has presented a distinct model from the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) platforms, creating a collaborative space between the government, international institutions, and the private sector to implement the 2050 National Climate Change Strategy and NDCs. The strong partnership with multilateral development banks has helped establish an innovative platform that integrates vital sectors supporting climate action.
Furthermore, the program’s design translates national visions and strategies into projects that attract green investments in adaptation and mitigation. H.E. affirmed that the program reflects Egypt's commitment to moving from pledges to implementation.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also highlighted that the Ministry, alongside coordinating efforts to implement the program, has been promoting its mechanisms in international forums since COP27, including major international institutions' annual meetings and conferences organized by Egypt, such as the Egypt-ICF International Cooperation and Development Financing Forum. As a result, the platform has garnered global attention, with many developing and emerging countries, especially in Africa, seeking to learn from Egypt's experience.
They reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to support countries in developing and implementing national climate action platforms, adopting a multi-sectoral approach that aligns with national development priorities and responds to country needs. This support extends to both the initial phase of long-term development strategies and the development of relevant policies, as well as the final stages of implementation and financing, including updating NDCs, national action programs, and sectoral and subnational implementation plans.
The banks also expressed their ongoing collaboration with partners in development and implementation, such as the public-private partnership framework, in the continuous evolution of the JETP approach. Additionally, they will work with climate and environmental funds to expedite access to required finance, enabling the mobilization of additional funding needed to achieve the green transformation.
NWFE Program Country Platform Overview
The NWFE Egypt’s Country Platform was launched as a national program representing an effective regional model and an approach for development financing to address issues of adaptation, mitigation, and resilience. Egypt has developed a comprehensive national climate strategy with key goals through 2050 and a set of priority projects (26 projects) by 2030. Nine projects in the fields of water, food, and energy have been selected, with an estimated investment of around $14.7 billion.
In partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the African Development Bank (AFDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Ministry is working to mobilize innovative financing mechanisms, including debt-for-climate swaps, grants, and concessional financing for the private sector to implement these projects.
First Follow-up Report on the "NWFE" Program, is available here.
Comprehensive Information on the Program is available here.