H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, met with Ms. Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, to discuss various areas of joint cooperation within the framework of the partnership between Egypt and the United Nations.
During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the deep strategic relations between Egypt and the United Nations and its specialized agencies, which contribute to advancing development efforts and meeting Egypt's development requirements through close cooperation with UN bodies and agencies.
She also noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the joint relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Nations.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated the Egyptian government's keenness to develop mechanisms for joint action with development partners to ensure the advancement of development efforts and open new horizons to support vital and exchangeable sectors.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation in formulating and implementing economic development policies, promoting financing for development, and maximizing the benefit from concessional development financing.
The two sides reviewed efforts to update Egypt Vision 2030 to align with local and global economic changes, which serve as a cornerstone for Egypt's development journey.
They also explored the impact of this update process on the preparation of the medium-term socio-economic development plan for the next three fiscal years, as well as joint efforts to empower the private sector as a key pillar for driving sustainable development efforts.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat outlined several key topics, most notably the localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the governorate level. She pointed out that this represents a necessary strategic step towards achieving balanced and comprehensive development. Detailed reports for all governorates have been prepared in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aiming to highlight the strengths and weaknesses in each governorate, scientifically identify specific development priorities for each region, and align local development plans with national plans. This also contributes to achieving the SDGs at the national level, and developing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms based on precise performance indicators.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reviewed the Sustainability and Financing for Economic Development Framework, through which the Ministry works to achieve qualitative and sustainable economic growth. This framework is built upon three main pillars: first, formulating data- and evidence-based economic development policy; second, building a resilient economy and enhancing macroeconomic stability; and third, mobilizing and maximizing the benefit from local and external financing to achieve sustainable development through an integrated national financing framework.
Regarding the formulation of evidence- and data-backed economic development policies, Al-Mashat mentioned that the new Planning Law of 2022 and its executive regulations, which are currently being prepared, substantially enhance this goal by institutionalizing a more strategic and reliable evidence-based approach to the planning process. She added that the law stipulates the use of comprehensive data analysis, periodic monitoring, and the alignment of national priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the same context, both sides discussed joint endeavors to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of joint relations between Egypt and the United Nations, as well as preparations for the convening of the Steering Committee for the Egypt-UN Strategic Partnership Framework 2023-2027.