The meeting aims to maximize the benefits from joint cooperation in light of declining development financing due to global changes

Al-Mashat:

The Development Partners Group is a platform for synergizing efforts and coordinating development programs to align with national priorities.

We are working to develop joint work mechanisms with development partners to expand private sector oriented programs and drive economic development.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, met with the Executive Committee of the Development Partners Group (DPG) in Egypt. 

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, and Ms. Sophie Vanhaeverbeke, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Egypt. Representatives from the French Development Agency (AFD), the German, Canadian, Japanese, French, and UK Embassies, and the World Bank were also attending. 

This meeting aimed to strengthen joint development coordination and cooperation between the Egyptian government and the Development Partners Group in Egypt.

This meeting coincided with the convening of the DPG Executive Committee in Egypt, which includes development partners from partner countries, international institutions, and development organizations in Egypt. 

The objective is to enhance communication channels and maintain sustained strategic consultations, as well as strengthen frameworks for joint cooperation between the Egyptian government and development partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the state's development priorities, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030.

The meeting touched on several national priority topics and the importance of intensifying and focusing partners' endeavors in the coming period. 

This aims to achieve full coordination between national development plans and cooperation programs with development partners, thereby maximizing and sustaining the development impact of available development resources more efficiently and effectively, particularly given the trend of countries reducing development financing and reallocating it to internal priorities.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that this meeting serves as a vital platform for exploring and discussing potential areas of cooperation that will foster synergy efforts and coordinate development programs. 

This ensures alignment with national strategies, prevents duplication and overlap in initiatives, projects, and on-the-ground interventions, in addition it diversifies financing sources by relying on private sector investments and blended finance. 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat highlighted that it also reflects the Egyptian government's strong commitment to develop joint work mechanisms with development partners to accelerate development efforts and open new horizons for supporting vital and exchangeable sectors. 

The diverse attendance in the meeting reflects international keenness for supporting economic and social development in Egypt and a shared commitment to continuing the strategic partnership with the Egyptian government in various fields.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat reviewed the expanded role of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, in formulating and implementing economic development policies, mobilizing financing for development, and maximizing the benefit from development financing. This is achieved through high-level coordination between government entities and the development partners community, and by integrating efforts to maximize the impact of investments and development projects on the national economy.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined the Ministry's framework, "Sustainability and Financing for Economic Development," which focuses on building a resilient and sustainable economy, relying on data and evidence to improve resource allocation, and supporting priority sectors in the Egyptian economy. This framework aims to promote sustainable economic growth based on export-oriented sectors, improve the business environment, and fully empower the private sector to be an effective partner in economic and social development, in addition to pushing structural reforms that promote the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, open new avenues for regional integration, stimulate investment in sectors that contribute to creating high-quality job opportunities, and support macroeconomic stability.

H.E. Minister l-Mashat also referred to Egypt's Integrated National Financing Strategy (E-INFS), which aims to expand development financing channels while accurately identifying financing gaps, enhancing public-private partnerships in financing development projects, and supporting crucial social sectors such as education, health, social protection, and sanitation, to ensure basic services reach target groups, and strengthen the state's ability to attract green finance and climate change adaptation projects financing.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reaffirmed that the Ministry considers the localization of the SDGs at the governorate level a necessary strategic step to achieve balanced and comprehensive development. Therefore, detailed reports for all governorates have been prepared in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the aim of highlighting the strengths and weaknesses in each governorate, scientifically and thoroughly identifying the specific development priorities for each region, and aligning local development plans with national plans. This contributes to achieving the SDGs at the national level and developing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms based on accurate performance indicators.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated that job creation and economic growth are two sides of the same coin, as the Egyptian government pays great attention to labor market dynamics and ensuring the creation of an enabling legislative environment for both workers and employers. This is in light of the responsibilities entrusted to the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation regarding labor market policies and the National Wages Council, in close partnership with the Ministry of Labor.

Regarding the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation's chairmanship of the Ministerial Committee for Entrepreneurship, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the role of entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic growth. She highlighted the efforts of the ministerial group, which includes several ministries and relevant entities, to provide the necessary support for entrepreneurial projects and encourage innovation in various sectors, with a focus on information and communication technology, thereby boosting the success opportunities for startups.

The Ministry also places significant importance to climate issues and environmental sustainability, and is working to develop strategies and projects that enhance the state's ability to adapt to climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen cooperation with development partners in the field of climate finance, supporting green projects and renewable energy, in addition to building the capacities of local institutions to efficiently implement climate initiatives.