● Al-Mashat: Relations with development partners are based on meeting national priorities and promoting SDGs.
● Al-Mashat: The Government of Egypt’s keenness on balanced political relations enhances the role of economic diplomacy.
● We coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all national entities within the framework of governance for development cooperation efforts to ensure the coherence with national priorities.
● There is competition between developing countries for development financing, and Egypt has a good history in its extended relations with international institutions and clarity in the formulation of projects.
● The private sector and support for startups is a major focus of work with development partners.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation held a discussion with the 55th batch of diplomatic attachés, at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, as part of their training program to introduce the framework of international cooperation and development financing for the Arab Republic of Egypt, relations with multilateral and bilateral development partners, and the role assigned to the Ministry of International Cooperation, in the presence of Ambassador Walid al-Hajjaj, Dean of the Institute of Diplomatic Studies.
At the outset of the meeting, Al-Mashat was keen to listen to the opinions and inquiries of the new diplomatic attachés about their knowledge on the role of the Ministry of International Cooperation and relations between Egypt and development partners, whether in terms of countries or international institutions. H.E. stressed that relations with development partners, whether bilateral or multilateral, are not based on the concept of receiving aid, but it is an extensive partnership based on meeting national priorities, the various strategies implemented by the country, and internal governance standards as well as governance standards for various institutions, in order to enhance joint cooperation to implement the SDGs.
The Minister indicated the Government of Egypt’s keenness on how common interests and balance in political relations with different countries enhances the role of the ministry in implementing the principles of economic diplomacy, and supporting joint relations with development partners from countries and institutions. This is especially since countries who are ultimately members of multilateral development banks and international institutions vote on all decisions taken, which reflects the importance of these balanced relations in promoting cooperation, whether bilateral or multilateral.
Al-Mashat stated that there is continuous integration and coordination between the Ministries of International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs, along with all other national entities, under the umbrella of the governance framework related to external agreements and development finance obtained by the state, as any joint agreement, whether with countries or international institutions, is subject to a process of detailed review by all concerned entities and parties to ensure their suitability with national plans, strategies and interests.
H.E. then drew attention to the difference between the development funds provided by the ministry through development partners and other funds from the international markets, pointing out that what distinguishes development financing is that it is long-term and is repaid over periods of up to 30 years in soft interest, in an effort by countries and international institutions to support development in developing countries and emerging economies. Moreover, H.E. elaborated that this also creates intense competition from said countries for development funds, but Egypt has long-standing extended relations with development partners and clarity in the formulation of projects and implementation that enables it to implement its plans clearly.
The Minister of International Cooperation introduced the new diplomatic attachés to the principles of economic diplomacy that represent the framework of the Ministry of International Cooperation, which includes hosting multi-stakeholder platforms, mapping official development assistance to the SDGs, and the Global Partnerships Narrative which puts people at the core & projects in action & purpose as the driver.
Al-Mashat explained that the past 3 years have surely been a challenge, with massive and successive global shocks including the COVID 19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change. However, Egypt succeeded in its multilateral cooperation efforts, showing a spirit of solidarity that brought together different stakeholders around the world
H.E. added that through the multi-stakeholder platform, they were able to overcome the closure procedures during the pandemic by holding virtual meetings that include all development partners, along with the relevant national entities and ministers, to present the plans and mechanisms through which the country worked to confront the health crisis, and advance sustainable development efforts. The Minister explained that the multi-stakeholder platforms achieved many advantages; the most important of which is the integration between the efforts of the development partners and the continuous coordination in supporting various sectors over the past three years.
The Minister also referred to the process of mapping official development assistance to the SDGs in an interactive map that includes all development financing classified according to the global goals. It also includes projects distributed in all governorates of the country, as well as development partners, which provides a platform for national entities, development partners and those concerned with efforts in development cooperation to know the progress made in supporting the country's vision towards 2030.
Al-Mashat stated that the projects implemented in the light of development cooperation come under the umbrella of the country's vision and priorities, and development partners, including the United Nations and USAID, and includes their participation in the implementation of many programs and activities within the presidential initiative: Haya Karima.
The Minister touched on the role played by development partners in stimulating the private sector's participation in development, as development financing over the past 3 years for the private sector amounted to about $7.3 billion, whether large or small and medium companies and startups, and H.E. also reviewed efforts to empower women through “Closing the Gender Gap Accelerator”. .
She stressed the importance of international partnerships in supporting climate action and stimulating the transition to a green economy, noting that Egypt, in light of its presidency of the COP27, has updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and launched the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050. The Ministry of International Cooperation has launched several initiatives during the climate conference, the most important of which are the country platform for Nexus for Water, Food and Energy, the “NWFE” program, and the launch of the "Sharm El-Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing", to stimulate climate financing for developing countries and emerging economies, and enhance adaptation and mitigation efforts in the face of climate change and its repercussions..
Al-Mashat also spoke about the Egypt International Cooperation Forum (Egypt-ICF), which represents a gathering of international institutions and multilateral and bilateral development partners. It was held in its second edition last September, under the auspices and with the participation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 60 days before COP27, and its activities and discussions served as a prelude for the climate conference.
H.E. concluded her meeting with the new diplomatic attachés by showing the promotional films that were prepared in the framework of the partnership with CNN International, within the Global Partnerships Narrative, as well as a summary video on the 2022 Annual Report.