• Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat meets the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development to discuss cooperation efforts under the "Food Facility" initiative
• Al Mashat" meets EU Ambassador and EU Jeel Connect representatives to promote youth empowerment efforts
• Minister of International Cooperation participates in a panel discussion on desalination as a Middle East adaptation solution
• The water pillar of the NWFE program includes the launch of 5 desalination plants with a capacity of 525 thousand cubic meters per day using clean energy
As part of her ongoing meetings at the United Nations Climate Conference COP27 Sharm el-Sheikh, Dr. Rania al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, held a number of meetings with the European Union and the European Investment Bank
Meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, met with Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, and the European Union Ambassador to Egypt, Christian Berger, where bilateral cooperation between the two sides in the field of food was discussed, particularly with regard to the initiative "Food Facility", launched by the European Commission to support food security efforts in Egypt through which 100 million euros were allocated, benefiting both the Ministries of Supply and Internal Trade and the Ministries of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
The two sides also touched upon future projects to be implemented within the framework of the National Platform for Green Projects "NWFE" program, particularly the food and water security pillars, which include 8 priority projects in the light of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, and to support the implementation of NDCs.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union's funding arm, is contributing, together with many development partners, to the provision of concessional development financing for the implementation of the national platform projects of the program. The European Union contributes directly to other projects with development grants such as E-PACT. "Sustainable Green Industries Project", which is planned to be financed in the amount of Euro30 million, and provides guarantees for all programs funded by the European Investment Bank.
Meeting with EU Jeel Connect
In a related context, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister for International Cooperation, participated in the Youth Forum organized by the European Union as part of its European South-Neighbourhood Initiative (EU Jeel Connect) in the presence of Ambassador Christian Berger, Ambassador of the European Union in Cairo, and a group of inspiring Egyptian youth in various fields of work, Discussion and opinions were opened on many youth topics and the Minister emphasized that Egypt is currently paying attention to young people, There is genuine participation in many areas. There are currently program to be implemented that demonstrate the country’s endeavors to achieve its development goals with the participation of all groups.
The European Union launched the EU Jeel Connect Program this year, which aims to support and develop the capacities of young people in the South European Neighborhood Region, which includes a group of inspiring young people from Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia ", who will work closely with the Southern European and the European Union Delegation to promote youth participation, and visions and ideas.
Panel discussion on desalination and adaptation efforts
On the other hand, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, participated in a panel discussion organized by the European Investment Bank on "Desalination as an adjustment solution in the Middle East", with the participation of Ms. Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, and Mr. Christian Berger, Ambassador of the European Union in Cairo
During the meeting, Al Mashat stressed the importance of expanding adaptation solutions to climate change to support the transition to a green economy, and increasing desalination projects for seawater to promote sustainable management of water resources, stating that climate changes adversely affect water availability, especially in light of the exponential population growth.
The Minister of International Cooperation said that Egypt is working through the national platform for green projects. "NWFE" promotes the transition to a green economy in three main areas: water, food and energy, under the umbrella of the National Climate Change Strategy, noting that the water hub includes a number of desalination projects that promote the sustainable management of water resources in Egypt, where 5 desalination plants will be launched with 525 thousand cubic metres per day using clean energy.