United Nations: The strategy represents a shift towards an integrated model that links financing flows to national priorities and supports the path to achieving sustainable development.
United Nations provides various forms of support and expertise from its different agencies to implement Egypt’s Integrated National Financing Framework.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The launch of the strategy is an ambitious step towards shaping a financial future characterized by sustainability and inclusiveness through innovative financing tools.
World Bank: The launch of the strategy embodies the commitment of the government and international partners to work diligently towards development and aligning financial resources with needs.
Kingdom of Spain: We are highly attentive to supporting Egypt’s Integrated National Financing Strategy to foster economic and social development in Egypt.
French Development Agency: The strategy represents a catalyst for achieving development, and we are committed to working with our partners to innovate financing solutions.
International Expert Peter Middlebrook: National frameworks stimulate the shift towards diversifying financing sources and innovating new tools to achieve development.
Development partners, heads of international institutions, and United Nations organizations have commended the step taken by the government to launch Egypt’s Integrated National Financing Strategy (E-INFF), emphasizing its importance amidst global challenges. They stressed that it is essential for setting a sustainable and inclusive approach for various financing mechanisms to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This week, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation launched Egypt’s Integrated National Financing Framework (E-INFF), which was developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In her speech, Ms. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, commended the Egyptian government for its steadfast and ongoing commitment to achieving sustainable development. She explained that in a world of increasing challenges, divisions, and uncertainty, the need for sustainable development has never been more urgent. She pointed out that the presence of the Prime Minister clearly reflects the state’s commitment through all its institutions and underscores Egypt’s full country ownership of the National Financing Framework.
She added that financing for development is a transformative resource that can help reduce poverty and offer billions of people the chance to build a better future. Therefore, launching the E-INFF represents a strategic shift in thinking, moving toward an integrated model that links financing flows to national priorities in Egypt and supports the country's path toward sustainable development, as well as its leadership role in shaping the global financing landscape.
She emphasized the importance of integrated national financing frameworks, given the global financing gap estimated approximately $4 trillion annually. These frameworks are tools to ensure that part of the vast global assets is directed toward each country’s national priorities. She explained that through the UN organizations in Egypt, all efforts have been mobilized to support the government in its development efforts and in preparing this ambitious strategy.
She continued, "With the effective contribution of the UNDP, we have brought together expertise and competencies from specialized international bodies, such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UN Women, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), with support from the Joint SDGs Fund."
She mentioned the financing areas and sectors that the framework focused on mobilizing resources, including local financing through various tools and mechanisms such as tax reforms, as well as private sector participation and creating a strong and attractive investment climate. The framework also focuses on strengthening public-private partnerships, along with aligning international support with national priorities, an area in which H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation, has contributed significantly in recent times.
She clarified that with innovative tools such as debt swaps, risk insurance, and financial innovation, Egypt can direct international financing toward its strategic national priorities, maximizing development impact and achieving tangible results. She also noted that developing the SDGs bond system, alongside strengthening blended finance, will be crucial to securing long-term, sustainable investments.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti, the UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, pointed out that with only five years remaining to achieve the SDGs, accelerating the pace of action has become crucial, particularly since countries around the world are facing multiple and complex challenges, including climate change, rising inequalities, and economic shocks. While the importance of integrated national financing frameworks is becoming more evident, Egypt is one of the first countries in the region to adopt this approach, reflecting the spirit of innovation and leadership. We are pleased at the UNDP to be part of this national effort, having contributed to the preparation and development of this integrated strategy.
He added that this framework represents a bold and ambitious step taken by Egypt to shape a future financial system that is sustainable and inclusive, reflecting the political leadership's commitment to achieving balanced economic and social development that includes all segments of society. He highlighted that integrated national financing frameworks are based on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, which serves as an effective tool for aligning public and private financing with the developmental priorities of countries.
He noted that these frameworks are transforming the financing system by integrating government budgets, financial markets, and the private sector into a single system that supports the SDGs. They also allow countries to set their financing priorities through a comprehensive national process led by decision-makers. He added that through innovative financial tools such as green bonds, sustainable bonds, and the "NWFE" program, Egypt is in a prime position to attract private investments and activate green financing mechanisms.
World Bank Group
Mr. Stephane Guimbert, Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti at the World Bank, stated that this important event represents a pivotal moment in Egypt’s economic development journey, embodying the commitment of the Egyptian government and its international partners to work tirelessly and continuously toward achieving sustainable development and enhancing financial and economic stability. He congratulated the Egyptian government for preparing this comprehensive development financing strategy, which reflects a clear vision for a more sustainable and growth-oriented economic future.
He added that preparing an integrated financing strategy is the cornerstone for achieving Egypt’s development goals across various sectors, as development financing is a vital tool that enables governments to make informed decisions, balance available resources with developmental needs, enhance coordination among various stakeholders, and achieve the highest levels of transparency and accountability.
He emphasized various factors for the successful implementation of the strategy. First is integrating the financing strategy within a strong and sustainable macroeconomic framework, linking the financing strategy to government policies to achieve maximum efficiency in resource use, enhancing government spending efficiency, increasing revenues through more advanced fiscal and administrative policies, and leveraging international cooperation and global partnerships in supporting the strategy’s implementation.
He reaffirmed the World Bank Group's commitment, through its various arms, to support the Egyptian government in implementing this strategy by mobilizing private capital, providing concessional financing, and exchanging international expertise.
Spanish Kingdom
In the same context, Ambassador Álvaro Iranzo, the Spanish Ambassador to Egypt, mentioned that Spain pays great attention to supporting the E-IFF, as it is a key tool for effective governance and comprehensive responsibility to support economic and social development in Egypt.
He explained that Spain is a strategic partner to Egypt and the UN, actively contributing to the Joint SDG Fund. While the world awaits the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development next June in Seville, I emphasize the importance of integrated national financing frameworks and the need to reinforce our commitment to the financing for development agenda to build more stable, prosperous, and inclusive societies.
He stressed the significance of integrated financing frameworks, which serve as a planning and implementation tool that helps countries enhance their national planning processes to achieve the SDGs. He noted that after ten years of the Addis Ababa Conference, Spain will host the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, which is expected to lay the foundations for new global development financing principles.
French Development Agency
For her part, Ms. Clémence Vidal de la Blache, the Country Representative of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Egypt, stated that the E-IFF, along with other frameworks, serve as a major driver toward achieving the SDGs. Through this framework, Egypt is providing a model for sustainable financing. She emphasized the AFD commitment to working alongside its partners to accelerate the integration of the public and private sectors, innovating blended finance solutions to speed up development, drawing on its expertise in financing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), supporting farmers, investing in circular economy sectors, and green transformation.
She mentioned the AFD contributions in Egypt and internationally to encourage innovative financing sources, where the agency helps facilitate development financing for public banks to finance projects aligned with the SDGs, offering investment incentives to support leading projects in climate and gender equality, in collaboration with the European Union. She clarified that the agency is committed to supporting the E-IFF, either through financial innovations or by exchanging knowledge and international experiences.
International Expert Peter Middlebrook
Mr. Peter Middlebrook, an international expert in preparing financing frameworks, said that the world is currently undergoing radical transformations in economic and financial systems. We are witnessing a changing global reality that compels us to rethink our strategies and policies in a comprehensive and profound manner. He explained that financial markets no longer rely solely on traditional cash transactions; complex financial instruments such as futures contracts and derivatives have spread. The key question, in addition to how to achieve financial stability, is how to direct these complex financial tools to serve sustainable development and create a positive impact in communities.
He pointed out that the E-IFF combines awareness of global risks and how to seize opportunities and turn them into gains to protect against volatility. It is not just a policy document; it is a call to action and reflects a clear vision for a bright future based on innovation and development. He also emphasized the importance of the human element in implementing any strategy.
He explained that global economic fluctuations force countries to build economic models capable of adapting to the changing reality and to adopt innovative solutions based on a deep understanding of the changing times. He continued, "From my experience in participating in the preparation of many strategies worldwide, I would like to stress that the real challenge regarding financing strategies is how to integrate them into the country’s vision and development strategy to achieve the goals with maximum efficiency and effectiveness."
He added that government budgets are no longer sufficient to finance development. We must seek additional sources of funding, leverage available capital to achieve greater impact at lower cost, and focus on innovation and knowledge production, as they are the true keys to achieving sustainable development.