The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation reviewed its partnership with the European Union in supporting the implementation of the second phase of the National Population Strategy. This comes as part of the Europe Day celebrations and underscores the strategic partnership between the two sides.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized the strategic importance of the European Union as one of the key partners of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the field of economic and social development.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted that the European Union is a fundamental supporter of many vital projects that enhance Egypt’s ability to achieve its comprehensive and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also pointed to the ongoing relations with European financial institutions across various development sectors, particularly in empowering the private sector. Leading institutions in these endeavors include the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Al-Mashat noted that a grant agreement worth 12 million euros was signed with the European Union to support the implementation of the second phase of the National Population Strategy. This is under the Neighborhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe), strengthening national efforts to reduce population growth rates and promote sustainable development.
The European grant supports ongoing joint efforts to implement the National Population Strategy, which aims to address demographic challenges and their impact on Egypt’s development and economic reform trajectory.
The project focuses on improving the provision and utilization of comprehensive, voluntary, high-quality reproductive health and family planning services; enabling women and men of reproductive age to access integrated health services; raising public awareness of reproductive health and family planning issues; and supporting evidence-based data use for population planning and reproductive health programs.
Beneficiaries of this project include several ministries and national institutions, most notably the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education.
Meetings of the project’s Technical Coordination Committee are held twice annually, chaired by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation on behalf of the Egyptian government. Representatives from the European Union and relevant government entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Population, among other key partners, also participate.
It is worth noting that the Egypt-EU Summit marks a turning leap in relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the EU. This summit witnessed the declaration of elevating the relations to a strategic partnership.
Under this declaration, a financial package worth 7.4 billion euros was agreed upon to boost European investments in Egypt, support the Egyptian economy, and expand cooperation in line with national priorities. These priorities include strengthening economic stability to ensure a stable and attractive investment environment, encouraging investment and trade to promote bilateral economic ties, and developing migration and mobility frameworks to ensure exchange of expertise.