Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, announced that investments worth $1.33 billion, representing 5.2% of the ongoing development cooperation portfolio, were channeled into 18 projects across 17 governorates and around 31 different locations pushing towards the achievement of SDG 1: No Poverty. This comes within the framework of the stakeholders’ cooperation with multilateral and bilateral development partners to end poverty and improve the living conditions of the people.
Al-Mashat explained that the ODA-SDG map is accessible through the Ministry of International Cooperation’s website showcasing the allocation of the $25 billion development portfolio across 377 projects, along with detailed information on the location of each project and the SDGs it fulfills.
Within the Ministry’s development portfolio directed at the achievement of SDG 1, there is a project focused on the reconstruction of slums, and the enhancement of the employment rate by supporting the MSMEs force through the Egyptian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) in Alexandria, Port Said, Giza, Assiut, Menoufia and Sharqia, with development funding worth €63 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union.
The project affects as well the implementation of relevant SDGs, such as SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities; and the SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Moreover, regarding the social protection network, there is a development intervention funded by the World Bank, with investments amounting to $900 million split into two phases channelling $400 million and $500 million respectively for the Ministry of Social Solidarity in order to establish an effective and inclusive social protection network for the groups sustaining poverty; mitigate the repercussions of economic reform; and rationalize the use of subsidies by reaching families below poverty line.
Another project worthy to mention within the SDG 1’s list of interventions, there is the Sustainable Agricultural Investments and Raising the Standard of Living (SAIL) project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), for the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, with a value of €62 million to eliminate poverty; ensure food security for the rural poor; and enable small farmers to increase their income and profitability.
The project targets the governorates of Minya, Kafr El-Sheikh and Aswan and aims to achieve SDG1: ending poverty, in addition to other relevant goals, namely SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3:: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 4: Quality Education, in addition to other goals.
The full list of projects serving the first SDG can be found on the ministry's website: https://www.moic.gov.eg/ar-EG/Home
Al-Mashat: The map enables Egypt to identify gaps and future priorities
Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, stated that ODA-SDG mapping enhances the country's ability to meet development needs and priorities, and pushes it towards achieving its 2030 vision that goes in line with the SDGs and promotes transparent, effective, and informative communication among stakeholders to learn about national development efforts operationalized through international partnerships.
The map further measures the projects’ alignment with the SDGs to inform future decisions, ensure effective and impactful results, and fill in the gaps.
It is noteworthy that Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, along with London School of Economics, launched the book titled “Stakeholder Engagement Through Economic Diplomacy”, at a global event attended by eminent international economic figures and institutions, namely Carmen Reinhart, Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank Group; Minouche Shafik, Director of the London School of Economics; Erik Berglof, Chief Economist of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; as well as representatives of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and many others other International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
International Community Applauds ODA-SDG Mapping
The book was highly regarded by the interventionists as an example of the leading Egyptian experience in international cooperation and development financing. The participants also commended ODA-SDG mapping, as Munir Akram, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), said that ODA-SDG mapping is a vital step towards achieving the SDGs, and that Egypt is one of the first countries to take on this mission.
Achim Steiner, Director of the United Nations Development Program, added that 2030 is only a decade away. Hence, countries are striving to build back better and push the SDGs, including the Arab Republic of Egypt that seeks, through the principles of economic diplomacy, to direct development financing to support its priorities.
On her part, Ms. Minouche Shafik, Director of the London School of Economics, said that ODA-SDG mapping enables us to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of these funds in achieving development goals, by identifying and bridging the gaps through future partnerships.
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