The Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat took part in a seminar organized by the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations in Geneva on May 6, regarding the legal framework for civil society in Egypt. The seminar took place in the presence of the Minister of Social Solidarity H.E. Dr. Nevine El Kabbaj, a number of ambassadors from foreign countries, representatives of civil society organizations in Egypt, and global organizations concerned with civil society work. In her speech, Al-Mashat stated that the Government of Egypt has carried out unprecedented reforms at the economic and social levels in the past years. The reforms aim to facilitate the work environments for civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and to support efforts that encourage the aforementioned organizations to play a vital role in the country's sustainable development plans. Al-Mashat added that the reforms carried out are based on the political leadership’s vision to include the civil society organizations in the reform plans as they are key for inclusive and resilient prosperity. The Government of Egypt issued the Law Governing the Pursuit of Civil Work (commonly known as the NGO Law), Law No. 149 of 2019, and its executive regulations, to ensure an effective environment for the work of civil society organizations in Egypt. The legal reform reflects the country’s keenness to include these organizations in the progress and development framework across various sectors. Partnerships Between Civil Society & Development Partners Al-Mashat expressed the Ministry’s coordination and commitment in providing an opportunity for civil society organizations to implement development programs in cooperation with multilateral and bilateral development partners such as, but not limited to, the USAID, the European Union (EU), Canada, and Italy. The role that civil society organizations can play in development plans is crucial, as it helps countries implement global projects in a culturally appropriate and adequate manner. In coordination with relevant government entities, Al-Mashat stressed that the Ministry of International Cooperation aims to support the state’s strategy in expanding social protection programs in partnership with civil society, and multilateral and bilateral development partners. By involving all relevant stakeholders, the Ministry is enhancing effective development cooperation. Multi-stakeholder Platforms The Minister explained that multi-stakeholder platforms bring all relevant parties together: the government entities, civil society organizations, and multilateral and bilateral development partners; in order to streamline structural reforms and strengthen international partnerships boosting the role of civil society organizations and social protection programs. Al-Mashat said that the Ministry of International Cooperation’s role is to strengthen international partnerships to achieve sustainable development through the principles of Economic Diplomacy that include holding regular multi-stakeholder platforms, allocating the Official Development Assistance across the 17 UN SDG, and maintaining a consistent Global Partnerships Narrative which puts People at the Core, Projects in Action, and Purpose as the Driver. H.E. Al-Mashat explained that the role of civil society organizations is crucial in promoting sustainable development in the coming time, in light of Egypt’s 2030 Vision. She further elaborated that the Ministry of International Cooperation’s strategy aims to support civil society organizations through international partnerships, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity.