● Al-Mashat stressed the importance of programmes implemented in partnership with the United Nations to promote the sustainability of natural resources and support inclusive development.
● The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) said they were working to meet Egypt's needs for technology transfer in the industrial sector, capacity building and enhancing energy efficiency.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, and Elena Panova, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Office in Egypt, With the participation of Major-General Mohamed Taher Elsherief, Governor of Alexandria, Ibrahim Mekki, Chairman of the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), Mohamed Ibrahim, Chairman and CEO of Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals (Sidpec), alongside members of the House of Representatives and Senate, representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the Federation of Egyptian Industries and United Nations agencies visited the “Solar Energy for Industrial Process Heat” & “Industrial Motors Energy Efficiency Programme” projects at the Sidi Kerir Petrochemical Company (SIDPEC) in Alexandria. This is part of the Egypt - UN Partnership Week, visiting projects implemented in cooperation with national entities and UN organizations and agencies.
These projects were implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with national entities, aiming to enhance the local manufacturing environment and expand the scope of solar power systems in the industrial heating process, through the Egyptian Industrial Motors Energy Efficiency Programme (IMEEP) with a grant of $3 million, which encourages the use of energy-saving engine systems in the industrial sector, and the range of technical, financial and environmental benefits to improve the efficiency of electric motor-driven systems (EMDS) and accelerates the market penetration of energy-saving engines in cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Industry.
Al-Mashat said that the implemented program is part of the partnership between Egypt and the United Nations to implement the axis of environmental sustainability and natural resources management within the United Nations Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF), promoting the use of clean energy in the manufacturing process and stimulating climate action efforts. This is also in line with national development priorities and the state's efforts to accelerate the pace of achieving sustainable development, enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy and localize industry.
H.E. pointed out that the Ministry of International Cooperation, through coordination with national bodies and international agencies, seeks to build on what has already been achieved in the previous strategic framework, to maximize the development impact and increase the programs implemented to meet the priorities of the state and the implementation of the Egyptian government's program, pointing out that the program that we are undergoing today is consistent with the priorities of the vision and program of the Government of Egypt that aims to protect natural resources to achieve security and sustainability and achieve economic development and promote productivity and employment, and promotes the transition to a green economy.
Ahmed Rizk, the representative of the UNIDO in Egypt, said that the organization is working to meet Egypt's needs with regard to technology transfer, capacity building and financing to enhance energy efficiency and the expansion of renewable energy in the industrial sector, explaining that UNIDO, through the program implemented in Sidi Kerir Company Petrochemical Company, has managed to train 142 energy experts and technicians and 13 industrial establishments in Alexandria so far. He continued that the SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure of the SDGs mediates the international goals of the importance of sustainable industry in supporting the implementation of all other goals, and they are working with the Ministry of International Cooperation through the "NWFE" program to expand efforts aimed at the green transformation.
For his part, Ibrahim Mekki, Chairman of the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM) said: "We are pleased with such successful partnerships, and we look forward to generalizing the successful experience and partnership between Sidi Kerir and the UNIDO affiliate, with other companies in the petroleum sector." Moreover, Mohamed Ibrahim, Chairman and CEO of Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals (Sidpec) pointed out, "Achieving the SDGs requires successful partnerships. We welcome the Minister of International Cooperation and her accompanying delegation within the framework of the activities of the Partnership Week between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Nations. We succeeded, through a partnership with UNIDO, in promoting energy efficiency, maximizing competitiveness, supporting the company's production capabilities, which export 45% of its production to the foreign market, and training cadres that enable it to transfer expertise in the production of polyethylene.”
The programme will train 300 end-users in industry, suppliers and engine system improvement experts, develop 20,000 workshops and conduct detailed engine efficiency audits in 40 companies with UNIDO-trained experts. This encompasses several pillars from the United Nations Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF) 2018 - 2022: Inclusive Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Management. Moreover, the project addresses SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Within the previous UNPDF 2018-2022, several outcomes were achieved to promote a circular and green economy, including the development of policy tools and guidelines to accelerate the uptake of energy-efficient drivers in the industrial sector. The sensitization of more than 1,100 government and private stakeholders on the green economy and low-carbon practices, launching the "e-recycling" initiative for the recycling of residential and individual e-waste, disposing of more than 600 tons of e-waste containing hazardous materials, and supporting 32 companies that adopt green and circular procedures and systems.
This visit is part of the partnership week between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the UN, shedding light on examples of development cooperation programs and projects implemented on ground across sectors, ahead of launching the upcoming partnership for the next 5 years.
The UNSDCF sets out 5 priorities to be achieved by 2027, namely enhancing human capital, social protection and social justice, promoting inclusive sustainable economic development driven by productivity growth, decent jobs, integrating the informal economy, strengthening resilience to climate change and efficient management of natural resources in a sustainable environment, achieving inclusive equity in safe and equitable access to information, in line with a governance framework characterized by transparency, accountability, efficiency, interaction, and inclusive participation of women and girls, and promoting political and economic empowerment.