Annual Report 2021
Engaging for Impact Towards our Common Future
International Partnerships for Sustainable Development
Statement by H.E. President - Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Egypt - International Cooperation Forum September 8, 2021
Egypt was at the forefront of countries that developed a long-term strategic plan to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on national priorities and principles with the aim of achieving sustainable and comprehensive development. In this regard, the environmental dimension was deemed a fundamental pillar in all development sectors to overcome the impact of climate change, preserve natural resources, and move towards comprehensive and sustainable development, thus safeguarding the rights of the coming generations.
“Engaging For Impact Towards Our Common Future”
Pushing the national development strategy forward, the Ministry of International Cooperation is ensuring the effective participation of all stakeholders including government entities, development partners, the private sector and civil society, to support the country’s economic growth. Our 2021 Annual Report encapsulates the past 12 months of development cooperation, spotlighting progress across sectors, including Egypt’s green transformation, private sector engagement, and the country’s dynamic, youthful and entrepreneurial force that significantly powers the economy.
Through bold and inclusive leadership, the world is living at a time where resilience and agility are singled out as a success story.
Development Financing
In 2021, the Ministry of International Cooperation secured a total of $10.27 billion of development financing dedicated to meeting various targets by 2030. This includes $8.71 billion directed to public sector development and $1.57 billion directed to private sector development.
Inform, Involve, Impact: Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
The Ministry hosted multi-stakeholder platforms throughout the year to streamline efforts and achieve value-centric results.
Microscopic and Magnified Visions
The Ministry organized broad consultations on the mapping of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the SDGs, and validated its results with all development partners. These exercises helped expand the Ministry’s “knowledge base of interactions” and provided more room for informed choices on the allocations of development assistance initiatives and finances. The map tells the story of 377 ongoing projects totaling over $25 billion.
Stories that Inspire, Motivate and Mobilize: Global Partnerships Narrative
By creating our own narrative, we help stakeholders forge a common language to communicate effectively and efficiently and push local and global agendas forward.
Modern Prospects for an Ancient Crop
In the lush green fields of Egypt's fertile lands, ancient Egyptian farmers were popularly known for growing Emmer wheat - an important homegrown nutritional crop for the Egyptian civilization. Opening up modern prospects for an ancient crop, the Ministry inaugurated a cereal silo in Western Port Said Port; increasing storage capacity to 3.5 million tons.
Under the Loupe: Meeting the Aspirations of Rural Youth
The private sector is the crucial link to align the skills of young people with the demands of the labor market. This year, the Ministry inaugurated the first phase of the “Rawabet'' project to develop value chains in the dairy sector and employ farmers across Gharbeya governorate, which is part of the Youth Employment Project in Egypt, focusing on Job Creation and Private Sector Development in Egypt’s rural areas
The Power of Small
Through engaging in dialogue, we were able to improve our alignment on key policy areas that affect SMEs and would be crucial to enable strategy implementation. In July, the Saudi Arabia Grant Management Committee, which amounts to $200 million to finance SMEs, approved about EGP for three banks, namely Banque Misr, Industrial Development Bank and Banque du Caire, which will benefit around 7,000 people across several sectors.
Through Adaptation
There are currently 28 adaptation projects worth $2.85 billion in development financing, such as Bahr Al-Baqar and Gabal Al-Asfar.
Through Mitigation
There is currently $7.83 billion in development financing contributing to 46 mitigation projects, such as Benban Solar Park and Gulf of Suez Wind Farm.
Our Progress
Within the Ministry’s development portfolio, and based on the mapping of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 44% of private sector financing is dedicated to SDG 8:Decent Work and Economic Growth, 38% to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, 7% to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, 7% to Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 3% for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The Power of Entrepreneurship
In the last couple of years, Egypt has positioned itself as a regional center for entrepreneurship, through many startups covering fintech, e-commerce, nutrition, health, agriculture, and much more. This dynamic, game changing scene, is led by none other than a digital, tech savvy youth; a community that the Government of Egypt wholeheartedly supports.
Innovating in the Future
Within the portfolio of the Ministry of International Cooperation, there are currently 36 projects focused on innovation, digitalization and entrepreneurship contributing to 11 SDGs with a total development financing of $1 billion; representing 3.8% of Egypt’s total ODA from 16 multilateral and bilateral development partners directed to 12 beneficiaries.
Emerging Players: Our #GenerationNext
Following on with emphasizing government support and held under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Ministry of International Cooperation and Egypt Ventures hosted the #GenerationNext entrepreneurial forum on June 26, bringing together a multitude of innovation and creativity with startups covering fintech, e-commerce, nutrition, health, agriculture, and much more, presenting their work and contributions. The event brought over 400 representatives from a community of entrepreneurs, innovators and startups, alongside multilateral and bilateral development partners.
Today’s world is known for its unpredictability.
This year, the Ministry of International Cooperation held the first edition of the “Egypt — International Cooperation Forum (ICF): Engaging For Impact”. Pushing for multilateralism and streamlined joint efforts for an inclusive and green recovery through sustainable finance, the forum convenes the global community; national, regional, and international policymakers, IFIs, development partners, and representatives from the private sector, civil society and think tanks.
Cairo Communiqué
In order to move forward and progress in building back better, the Cairo Communiqué, issued at the end of the forum, provides a set of recommendations outlining the importance of multilateralism, South-South and Triangular Cooperation, the 2030 Agenda, private sector engagement, climate action, digital trade, digital transformation, food security, and investing in human capital.
Multilateralism for the 21st century
In cooperation strategies with development partners, the Ministry of International Cooperation sets partnerships that prioritize enhancing the country’s acceleration of development.
