One Day Into its Inauguration, the First Edition of Egypt- ICF Brings About Constructive Discourse on Realizing the SDGs

The first edition of the Egypt – International Cooperation Forum (Egypt – ICF), launched by the Ministry of International Cooperation and held under the patronage of H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, convenes the global development community to discuss collective commitment to sustainable development as a catalyst for the post-pandemic economic recovery, towards building back better. The two-day hybrid event witnessed the participation of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister, and Ministers of International Cooperation, Health Manpower, Local Development, Supply, Education, Planning, Local Development, Health, Environment, Information and Communications Technology, Transportation, Social Solidarity, Agriculture, Industry and Trade. The forum puts “Engaging for Impact” at the forefront as the cross-cutting theme, bringing together stakeholders to promote multilateralism and streamline the efforts towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in addition to mobilizing the international development interventions to address global challenges. Followed by opening remarks from H.E. Al-Mashat, and keynote speakers from Amina J. Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group; Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Commission; and Jeffrey Schlagenhauf, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, among others, the forum began with a panel 1 titled “Multilateralism and International Cooperation Post-COVID-19”. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for all of us; emphasizing that it is by working together that we can move forward and accelerate progress towards the global goals,” said Al-Mashat. “The only way to accelerate sustainable development and the SDGs – a common denominator for all countries today – is through multi-stakeholder engagement and cooperation. By doing so, we can create more inclusive societies, and greener and more resilient economies,” the Minister added. Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum (WEF), said Egypt has provided a “bright spot” for economic prosperity as one of several emerging markets to experience growth last year, according to the IMF. “The world needs more international and multilateral cooperation if we want to advance shared priorities of equality, resilience and sustainability...we need to pivot and make international organizations relevant and resilient to face the challenges of a post-COVID world and keep pace with the UN’s SDGs.” Panel 1, moderated by Mr. Manus Cranny, Anchor, Bloomberg LP, took place in the presence of H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, H.E. Mr. Alamine Ousmane Mey; the Cameroon’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development; Keiko Miwa, Regional Director for Human Development at the World Bank; Mr. Solomon Quaynor, Vice President, African Development Bank; and Mr. Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum as the keynote speaker. Addressing “The Role of International Development Cooperation in Accelerating Progress Towards the 2030 Agenda” in panel 2, panelists discussed the crucial role of mobilizing financial resources, as international cooperation and closing development finance gaps are a key aspect in achieving, and progressing towards the 2030 global agenda. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Director of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Co-operation Directorate, said, “It is critical to mobilize one percent of $379 trillion. But it cannot be done without a holistic approach; as it is important to emphasize the role of multilateralism” and that “we need to adopt standards and emphasize on the role of triangular cooperation and multilateralism,” he added. Ms. Eleni Giokos, Anchor and Correspondent, CNN moderated Panel 2, which encompassed Dr. Khalida Bouzar, UN Assistant Secretary General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States; Dr. Khaled Sherif, Vice President, African Development Bank; Mr. Thomas Östros, Vice President, European Investment Bank; Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Director, OECD Development Cooperation Directorate (DCD); Mr. Hany Sonbol, CEO, International Islamic Trade Finance Cooperation (ITFC); Dr. Abdulhakim Elwaer, Assistant Director General, FAO; and the keynote speaker Ms. Anita Bhatia, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women. Capitalizing on the private sector’s contribution, the third panel of the first day titled: “Private Sector Engagement in Development Through International Cooperation”, explored the means to mobilize private sector engagement in development through international cooperation, which shall help accelerate progress towards the SDGs. By the same token, Alain Pilloux, Vice President, Banking at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), stated that: “More private sector involvement is key to growth. It all boils down to a stable political environment. While the governments need to take on their share of responsibilities, the private sector, and the multilateral development agencies need to complement this.” During Panel 3, the Finance Minister, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Maait, addressed the pressing need to include the private sector in the development process, stating that: “Mobilizing the private sector is critical to bridging the $2.5 trillion SDG financing gap.” In pursuit of the effective implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the panel explored ways to effectuate development frameworks through foreign direct investment, social impact investment, blended finance and measurement of private finance mobilization that would serve as key enablers for an inclusive transformation in private sector operations. Panel 3 was moderated by Mr. Manus Cranny, Anchor, Bloomberg LP, and attended by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance, Arab Republic of Egypt; H.E. Mr. Amadou Hott, Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation,Senegal; Ms. Estheri