● The UNFPA CPD falls under the umbrella of the UNSDCF, which represents the comprehensive framework for cooperation with all UN agencies and programs.
● We are keen to enhance joint work between the fund and all national entities to support Egypt's development vision, promote equal opportunities across genders and develop the capabilities of women, girls and adolescents.
● We appreciate the efforts of the UNFPA, in cooperation with the European Union, to promote the National Population Strategy in cooperation with the relevant entities.
The Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat said that the Country Partnership Document (CPD) with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 2023-2027 falls under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The partnership forms cooperation programs with the government in a way that reflects national needs and priorities, specifically in the areas of gender equality and developing the capacities of adolescents and youth. H.E. noted that with the launch of the CPD for national consultations in November 2021, the Ministry of International Cooperation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked side by side with the UNFPA to ensure that the document is consistent with national priorities related to equal opportunities for gender, and empowering youth to accelerate the pace of sustainable development.
This was during H.E.’s video speech during the launch event of the UNFPA's CPD for 2023-2027, with the participation of the country representative Frederica Meyer and representatives of many national agencies.
Al-Mashat stated that the partnership with the UNFPA enhances investment in capacity building, with a special focus on youth, girls and adolescents, family planning programs, and facing challenges related to climate change, noting the Government of Egypt’s commitment to implementing the required policies and reforms to support family development, capabilities of the youth and females and improve their access to quality services and care through national programs and initiatives, such as a Haya Karima, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030 and SDGs.
Al-Mashat applauded the role of the UNFPA in supporting the national population strategy, in cooperation with the EU, the Ministry of Health and relevant entities in Egypt, as well as civil society organizations, with the aim of supporting the country’s vision to provide family planning services and strengthening efforts to empower women and girls and combat all forms of gender-based violence and support the Egyptian government in achieving SDG 5: Gender Equality. H.E. applauded the joint efforts made with the government in implementing the goals of the CPD 2018-2022, through multilateral partnerships to advance positive change and achieve progress in many areas including supporting national policies, development plans and initiatives related to family planning, maternal health, and developing youth capacities in line with Egypt's Vision 2030.
Al-Mashat also referred to the efforts implemented by the UNFPA in cooperation with the relevant entities to develop capabilities and raise awareness among women, and to contribute to launching the general framework of the Egyptian National Strategy for Youth and Adolescents 2021-2026 in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and with the participation of all relevant ministries, as well as supporting the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Family, which aims to make a tangible positive impact on the citizen's livelihood.
H.E. stated that the achievements made present a strong foundation that can be focused on in the new CPD for the period 2023-2027, noting that the partnership comes after the launch of the UNSDCF 2023-2027. This represents a new chapter of cooperation between the Government of Egypt and the UN to implement SDGs, as the framework was launched after extensive consultations involving more than 40 national entities and 28 UN agencies, as well as multilateral and bilateral development partners and relevant parties.
Al-Mashat noted that, in line with the partnership between Egypt and the United Nations, the CPD with the UNFPA plays a vital role in supporting national priorities and the common vision to support development based on the objectives of the partnership framework, which aims to promote investment in human capital, achieve comprehensive economic development, enhance governance and transparency, and empower women and girls, which reflects a comprehensive and unified approach by mobilizing development cooperation efforts and integrating them in line with national priorities, to create a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Al-Mashat concluded her speech by emphasizing the government's commitment, along with cooperation with the UNFPA, development partners and national authorities, to implement the goals of the new CPD 2023-2027, and transform them into programs and procedures on the ground to maximize the return from development cooperation efforts.