• Minister of International Cooperation: Egypt’s hosting of the annual meetings of the EBRD is an extension of its leadership in hosting and organizing many international events, most notably COP27.
• Choosing Egypt to host the 2027 edition of the meetings is in line with the bank’s strategy to expand in sub-Saharan African countries
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation and Governor of Egypt at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), announced that Egypt will organize the annual meetings of the bank for the year 2027, after the approval of the Board of Governors.
The Minister of International Cooperation explained that choosing Egypt to organize this important event is due to the strategic role it represents in the bank, especially since Egypt was one of the first founding countries of the bank, and is considered one of the largest countries of operations in the world.
Al-Mashat confirmed that Egypt is one of the countries that cooperates the most with the EBRD, as it has succeeded since 2012 in bringing the cooperation portfolio with the bank to more than 12 billion euros, which represented tremendous support for the Egyptian economy and a strong impetus for the private sector system, as more than 80% is directed to the local and foreign private sector, which contributed to the development of various economic sectors.
Al-Mashat stated that Egypt’s victory in hosting the 2027 edition of the meetings is due to its effective contributions and success in organizing several international events at the highest levels, as well as its role in supporting international cooperation and development financing, and its pivotal relationship with various development partners, which has enabled us over the years to host a number of international events. This includes the Egypt International Cooperation Forum in its multiple editions, the annual meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB), in addition to supervising the organization of COP27. This year, Egypt will also be hosting the Arab annual meetings for financial institutions and bodies in May.
The Minister of International Cooperation stressed that Egypt is a main gateway to the Middle East and Africa region in general, and its choice to hold the meetings is strongly in line with the bank’s strategy to expand in the sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, and to include new countries, including Iraq and Benin, explaining that Egypt is strongly keen to activating regional cooperation in the region and implementing “South-South” cooperation plans, especially with the African continent.
She noted that Egypt will be keen to organize the meetings in the best possible manner, benefiting from its previous organizational experiences in international events, stressing the importance of holding meetings at all levels to support Egypt’s efforts in the scene of international cooperation and development financing, and to enhance cooperation efforts with the Bank and advance cooperation with the continent of Africa.
It is worth noting that the Minister participated in the annual meetings of the Bank in her capacity as Governor of Egypt at the EBRD, and also assumed the position of Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors in the current meetings.