H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, attended the launch event of the Hub of Advanced Policy Innovation for the Environment "HAPIE", aimed at improving access to clean air and pure water. 

This hub represents an extension of the Egyptian Impact Lab, which was created in partnership with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab for the Middle East and North Africa at the American University in Cairo and the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation.

During the opening, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat noted that the launch of this new initiative underscores Egypt’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development, and climate action. 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat emphasized that the Ministry believes that transformational change must be based on data-driven policies, strategic partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms. In an era characterized by global challenges such as economic uncertainty, climate change, and social inequality. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the importance of ensuring growth is not only quantitative but also qualitative, inclusive, and sustainable.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat further reviewed the Ministry's vision for economic development, which is based on three main pillars: formulating data- and evidence-based policies to guide strategic decision-making across key sectors, building a future-ready economy through macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, and a just transition to a green economy, and improving resource allocation by mobilizing both domestic and international financing through Egypt's Integrated National Financing Strategy for Development (E-INFS), launched in partnership with the United Nations.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat added that these initiatives represent a tangible step toward a more climate-resilient, economically vibrant, and socially inclusive future, reflecting Egypt’s leadership in global climate action and demonstrating how integrated solutions can drive systemic change at both national and regional levels.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat affirmed Egypt's enhanced leadership in regional and global climate action. She referred to Egypt’s hosting of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh and its active participation in the international climate agenda, which demonstrated how developing countries can lead in climate-smart policymaking, unlock climate finance, and implement sustainable reforms.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined that at COP27, Egypt represented the Global South, ensuring that Africa and other developing nations were at the core of climate negotiations. She pointed to the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund, one of the main achievements and a critical step in providing financial support to vulnerable countries facing climate-related disasters. One of the key outcomes of COP27 was the launch of the "NWFE" program platform, which addresses the nexus between water, food, and energy. This platform represents a pioneering model that redefines climate finance by linking development needs with innovative financing mechanisms, serving as a state-led model for transforming policies into action through securing high-impact investments aligned with Egypt's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Through "NWFE," integrated projects are being implemented, including ensuring water security through sustainable resource management and infrastructure investments, supporting food security through enhancing agricultural resilience and smart resource use, and accelerating the transition to clean energy by expanding renewable energy projects and optimizing energy consumption.

It is worth mentioning that "HAPIE" is an extension of the Egyptian Impact Lab in the sectors of environment, energy, and climate change. The Egyptian Impact Lab, which was established through a partnership between the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab for the Middle East and North Africa at the American University in Cairo and the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, had a vital role in establishing evidence-based policymaking across various development sectors in Egypt. "HAPIE" will serve as a platform for collaboration, bringing together experts, practitioners, and decision-makers to innovate solutions that shape the future of sustainable development in Egypt and beyond.