Al-Mashat Meets UN Assistant Secretary-General & UNDP Regional Director for Arab States to Discuss Enhancing Joint Relations

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and Egypt's Governor to the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), met with Dr. Abdallah Al-Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States.

This meeting took place during her participation in the 2025 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group held in Algeria, under the theme "Economic Diversification, Enriching Life."

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the partnership framework between Egypt and the UNDP, within the broader partnership with the United Nations, and the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Cooperation for Sustainable Development 2023-2027.

In this regard, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the evolution of the partnership with the UNDP over the past years and its diversification across various fields that enhance development efforts.

The two sides also touched on preparations for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Spain next June, and its importance in reforming the global financial structure and exploring solutions to complex challenges facing the global development landscape.

They also discussed joint events to be held by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, in cooperation with the UNDP, during the conference to advance global efforts in climate finance and stimulate private sector participation.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat commended the effective participation of the UNDP with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation in launching the Integrated National Strategy for Financing Development last March. 

This strategy is a key document that highlights Egypt's approach to financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and proposes an integrated national financing framework that serves as an umbrella encompassing various financing initiatives aimed at accelerating the achievement of the SDGs.

In this context, Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed that the Ministry is moving towards the implementation phase, and expressed aspiration for continued support from the Programme in activating the strategy's action plan, particularly in coordination with development partners and other financial institutions. The goal is to translate Egypt's Vision 2030 and the SDGs into an integrated financing system that links planning and financing.

Dr. Al-Mashat also expressed anticipation of continued cooperation with the Programme in preparing the Human Development Report for Egypt for 2025.

A pivotal foundational workshop was organized on April 13, 2025, bringing together representatives from academia, civil society, and national institutions. She emphasized the importance of broad participation and the involvement of multiple stakeholders in formulating the report's vision and determining its analytical path.

In a related context, the meeting reviewed Egypt's progress in the 2025 UNDP Human Development Index report, particularly regarding the improvement of healthcare services, years of schooling, and closing the gender gap.

Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the Ministry’s endeavors to maximize economic development in order to bridge sectoral development gaps in various fields, especially in human and industrial development and other priority areas.

Minister Al-Mashat also presented the national narrative for economic development that the Ministry seeks to launch in the coming period. This narrative aims to align Egypt's Vision 2030 with the government's action program by setting clear targets that contribute to boosting economic development and achieving the resilience of the Egyptian economy, with a focus on key sectors: macroeconomic stability and financing for development, industrial development, foreign direct investment, employment, and investment in human capital.

Dr. Al-Mashat praised the Programme's support in preparing and publishing 27 local reports on localizing the SDGs. She welcomed the signing of a joint project for localizing the SDGs in cooperation with the UNDP, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and UNICEF, in addition to implementing this ambitious initiative.