H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Dr. Khaled Abdel Halim, Governor of Qena, and Ms. Elena Panova, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, attended the signing of an agreement between the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The agreement aims to develop an integrated and sustainable model for rural tourism in Qena Governorate, linking cultural heritage with local economic opportunities. It falls under the project “Reviving the Dendera Area: Supporting Sustainable Rural and Cultural Tourism for Local Economic Development in Qena.”
The agreement was signed by Mr. Ahmed Rizk, Head of UN-Habitat Egypt, and Ms. Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt.
The project is centered on the world-renowned Dendera Temple Complex, which is surrounded by rich agricultural landscapes. It will focus on Qena city and the Dendera area, engaging local communities in designing a practical roadmap for rural tourism and local economic development.
The first phase of the project includes preparing an Integrated Revival Plan and a Competitiveness Support Plan for tourism, urban, and local economic development, as well as developing a distinctive tourism identity for Dendera. The second phase will focus on implementation, including the restoration and development of cultural assets, enhancement of visitor services, and creation of high-quality, sustainable tourism products and experiences. Activities will be carried out in close coordination with Qena Governorate and with technical support from both UN agencies, through the consultancy Takween Integrated Community Development.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat affirmed that Qena holds substantial potential in the field of sustainable rural and cultural tourism, particularly through the Dendera Temple Complex. She noted that recent public investments—especially under the Presidential Initiative “Decent Life”—have improved services for more than 1.5 million citizens, creating strong momentum for continued development.
She further emphasized the state’s commitment to enhancing the competitive advantages of governorates across multiple sectors, through increased public investment, localization of sustainable development, and infrastructure development aimed at attracting both domestic and foreign private investment.
Ms. Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, underscored the importance of this partnership between UN agencies in advancing Qena’s development priorities. She highlighted that the governorate already hosts numerous projects implemented in cooperation with various Egyptian ministries. She added that the celebration of the UN’s 80th anniversary provides an opportunity to spotlight such partnerships and to reaffirm the strength of multilateral cooperation in driving sustainable development.
For his part, Governor Abdel Halim stated that Qena Governorate is committed to attracting investment, stimulating economic growth, and improving citizens’ living standards by expanding job opportunities and raising incomes. He stressed the governorate’s focus on leveraging the assets of the Dendera Temple and its surrounding area by integrating rural and cultural tourism to establish a unique destination on Egypt’s tourism map. He explained that the development plan for Dendera’s rural tourism is designed to offer a comprehensive program of diverse experiences, including rural tourism, traditional crafts, horseback riding, folk performances such as mizmar music, tahtib (stick dancing), and mirmah shows, as well as traditional cuisine and farm-based leisure activities.
Mr. Rizk commented: “This partnership represents a significant step in linking cultural heritage with inclusive economic growth. The joint efforts of UN-Habitat and UNDP will draw upon the expertise of both organizations to connect heritage preservation with urban and local economic development. By strengthening rural–urban linkages, enhancing tourism services, and empowering women and youth, we aim to ensure that the communities of Qena are active partners and direct beneficiaries of this transformation.”
The project seeks to build on the previous efforts of both agencies in Qena while addressing ongoing challenges such as limited tourism infrastructure, environmental degradation around heritage sites, and gaps in tourism services. By safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage and linking it to local livelihoods, the project aspires to transform Dendera into a vibrant and inclusive tourism destination.
Ms. Noguchi remarked: “We highly value this agreement, which reflects the importance of our partnership in linking cultural heritage with inclusive economic development. Rural tourism can serve as a direct driver of local development by creating new sources of income, supporting small businesses, and ensuring that communities gain tangible benefits from preserving their heritage and environment. Through this partnership, we are investing in the people of Qena and their potential to build a model of inclusive and resilient eco-tourism that can be replicated in other regions of Egypt.”
The agreement was signed as part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.