Al-Mashat Discusses Joint Development Cooperation Efforts with the Canadian Ambassador

The Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat met with H.E. Amb. Louis Dumas, Canadian Ambassador to Egypt, within the framework of the periodic meetings with multilateral and bilateral development partners to discuss strengthening joint cooperation efforts and development of the ongoing portfolio to meet the country's priorities and national agenda.

At the outset of the meeting, the Minister expressed her appreciation for the efforts made between the Egypt and Canada to enhance cooperation in various sectors, referring to the recently signed grant agreement worth $CA 10 million to promote climate-smart agriculture and agricultural biodiversity in rural communities affected by climatic change in the old and new lands of the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt. This will also be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in cooperation with the relevant national entities.

H.E. explained that the new agreement enhances the diversification of the cooperation portfolio to meet the country's requirements and priorities in confronting climate change and food security, especially in light of the global crises resulting from the war between Russia and Ukraine. Al-Mashat noted that the agreement is a reflection of the relationship that extends over more than 6 decades to enhance common development priorities, and drive sustainable development efforts.

The Minister stressed the importance of the efforts made with the Canadian side in empowering women and gender equality to enhance the 2030 National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women, in addition to joint programs to support family planning efforts and promote commercial and agricultural businesses. The meeting also included a discussion on a scholarship program in line with investing in human capital, as well as expanding the scope of cooperation in the field of health care.

Since 1976, the Egyptian-Canadian development cooperation relations have developed, recording about $CA 1.22 billion, of which $CA 567.6 million are in the form of grants, and the remaining value is soft development funds.