H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat: “ We are keen on enhancing cooperation with the UNIDO to localize industry and technology, and to stimulate climate action.”
The Director General applauded development efforts made in Egypt and expressed his aspiration for fruitful cooperation within the framework of the COP27, and other areas of the green transformation.
The Minister of International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat met with the Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Gerd Müller, at the organization’s headquarters in Vienna. This is within the framework of the bilateral meetings that Al-Mashat held as part of her participation in the first OPEC Fund Development Forum, to strengthen economic relations with development partners.
During the meeting with Müller, the Minister discussed a number of joint cooperation files, including the upcoming COP27 in Egypt, and the state's efforts to localize industry and technology for comprehensive and sustainable growth.
Al-Mashat emphasized the Government of Egypt’s continued cooperation with the UNIDO, noting that the country is ensuring immense effort in hosting COP27, as well as in implementing green transformation plans, especially through renewable energy and green hydrogen. The Minister also added that there are initiatives to localize industry and technology, and to increase investments.
The meeting included discussions on empowering women, and promoting equal opportunities, a key pillar in achieving development and stimulating climate action. Al-Mashat highlighted the national efforts in this regard, with respect to the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women, aiming to empower and support women with equal opportunities, also increasing their participation in government entities.
Moreover, Al-Mashat referred to the Egypt - International Cooperation Forum (Egypt - ICF), which is scheduled to be held in early September, to address the green transformation efforts and to enhance climate action, ahead of COP27.
For his part, the UNIDO’s Director-General, Gerd Müller shared the efforts made by the organization to enhance cooperation with member states, to overcome the economic repercussions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to focus on enhancing food security and pollution control within the framework of climate action, while also providing trainings for youth to create a dynamic workforce, ready to thrive in the digital world.
Müller applauded the Government of Egypt’s efforts, under the leadership of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, regarding the efforts made to implement growth and accelerate development. He also expressed his aspiration to cooperate and participate in the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh; promoting UNIDO’s partnership with different countries on climate action, spotlighting the need for green hydrogen as an alternative energy source, and enhancing cooperation with Egypt.
The Minister participated in the OPEC Fund Development forum in Vienna, with the participation of leaders of governments and fund’s partner countries, heads of institutions of the Arab Coordination Group, officials of multilateral development banks and international organizations, and private sector representatives. Some of the organizations include; the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), the Saudi Fund for Development, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and ACWA Power.
The forum aimed to enhance aspects of cooperation between countries, discuss opening financing opportunities, and enhance international efforts to achieve development through international events, especially in light of Egypt’s COP27 Presidency, while also looking into the current food security and climate change challenges.