H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a series of intensive bilateral meetings with heads of delegations participating in the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa, as well as with senior officials from United Nations agencies and international financial institutions.
The discussions focused on the outcomes of the G20 Development Ministers’ meeting in South Africa, the Seville Conference on Financing for Development (Ff4D), and other key international platforms. Talks emphasized the importance of implementing the recommendations aimed at reforming the global financial system and addressing the growing challenges of development financing, particularly in developing and emerging economies. Bilateral relations with Egypt were also on the agenda.
Strengthening Egypt–France Relations
Minister Al-Mashat met with Mr. Thani Mohamed Soilihi, France’s Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships, to discuss the growing Egypt–France partnership, especially following the elevation of EU–Egypt relations to a strategic partnership.
She highlighted the strong economic ties between the two nations, including French investment in Egypt, bilateral trade, and development cooperation through the French Development Agency (AFD), which has contributed to major projects in transportation, electricity, agriculture, irrigation, education, and more.
The two sides discussed boosting future cooperation, particularly within the EU Investment Guarantee Mechanism, which could encourage further foreign investment. They also referred to the historic visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Egypt in April 2025, during which the strategic partnership agreement was signed—an event that marked a significant step in deepening bilateral relations.
Enhancing Egypt–Canada Cooperation
Dr. Al-Mashat also met with Mr. Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Minister of State for International Development, congratulating him on his new role in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet. She expressed her hope for further strengthening bilateral ties under his leadership.
The meeting explored opportunities to expand development cooperation, particularly in economic empowerment, climate action, and human capital development. The Minister referenced previous collaboration with Mr. Carney through Egypt’s flagship NWFE (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy) program and his involvement with the GFANZ alliance to support climate finance in Egypt.
Strategic Partnership with Singapore
In a meeting with Ms. Sim Ann, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Development, Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the strong and longstanding relationship between Egypt and Singapore—over 60 years—and explored ways to expand cooperation in trade, education, culture, and sustainable development.
Expanding Ties with Spain
The Minister met with Mr. Anton Leis Garcia, Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), to discuss increasing development cooperation in alignment with global financial reforms. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated Egypt’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to boost private sector engagement and foreign direct investment.
Egypt–Japan Collaboration
In a discussion with Mr. Hisashi Matsumoto, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Al-Mashat welcomed the deepening ties between Egypt and Japan. She commended Japan’s support for development and investment projects, including policy-based financing for private sector empowerment, grants for the Cairo Opera House and the Suez Canal Authority, and ongoing cooperation in health, education, and infrastructure.
Advancing Egypt–Korea Relations
Dr. Al-Mashat held talks with Mr. Kweon Ki-hwan, Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Multilateral Cooperation, to discuss the strategic development partnership that designates Egypt as Korea’s key partner through 2025. They discussed scaling up joint development and investment efforts, particularly in innovation and technology transfer.
Egypt–Portugal Economic Dialogue
During her meeting with Ms. Ana Isabel Xavier, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Minister Al-Mashat stressed the importance of expanding economic cooperation in key sectors such as industry, renewable energy, ICT, and investment. The ministers also discussed the need for reforming the global financial architecture to support developing economies.
Strengthening Cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP)
The Minister met with WFP Executive Director Cindy Hensley McCain to discuss expanding Egypt’s Country Strategy (2023–2028), particularly in food security and rural development. She emphasized the strategic partnership between Egypt and WFP, aligning national goals with presidential initiatives and the green project pipeline under the NWFE platform.
The two parties also discussed WFP’s involvement in Egypt’s debt swap initiatives, which have supported impactful projects such as the “Investing in Human Capital in Upper Egypt” project, the “One World – No Hunger” initiative (funded by Germany), and the “Social Welfare in Luxor” project under the Italian debt swap agreement.
OECD Collaboration
Dr. Al-Mashat held discussions with Ms. Mary Beth Goodman, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, to review progress in implementing Egypt’s Country Programme with the organization. The program focuses on inclusive growth, innovation, governance, statistics, and sustainable development—comprising 35 projects aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and structural reform agenda.
She also commended the OECD’s cooperation with the African Union in launching the Africa Development Dynamics 2025 report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of Africa’s development landscape amid global financial constraints.
Partnership with IFAD
The Minister met with Mr. Álvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to discuss the strategic partnership supporting rural and agricultural development in Egypt. Discussions included IFAD’s role in mobilizing funding for food projects under the NWFE program—combining development goals with climate resilience and food security efforts.
Engagement with UNIDO
In her meeting with Ms. Cecilia Ugaz Estrada, Director of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Minister Al-Mashat emphasized the longstanding partnership focused on enhancing Egypt’s industrial competitiveness, MSME development, green growth, and workforce capacity—all contributing to Egypt’s Vision 2030.