H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held intensive meetings with Ministers of Economy, Development, and International Cooperation, along with officials from international financial institutions participating in the G20 ministerial meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The meetings aimed to discuss priorities for joint cooperation and strengthen future partnerships in light of the government’s priorities and programs.
H.E. Al-Mashat met with Mr. Ahmed Hussein, Canadian Minister of International Development; Ms. Eva Granados, Spanish State Secretary for International Cooperation; Ms. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation; Ms. Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development; Ms. Anneliese Dodds, UK Minister of State for Women and Equalities; Mr. José de Lima, Angolan State Secretary for Economy; and Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, French State Secretary for Development Cooperation.
The meetings discussed enhancing joint cooperation in various development fields in light of the close partnership between Egypt and its development partners. The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to implement economic and structural reforms under the government’s program for the period from 2024/2025 to 2026/2027, aiming to achieve several goals, including building the Egyptian citizen and enhancing their welfare through social protection efforts, health, and youth and women empowerment. The program also aims to build a competitive economy attractive to investments by opening up to the private sector and enhancing macroeconomic stability.
H.E. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of the priorities under the G20 Development Working Group, which aims to reduce inequalities, enhance trilateral cooperation, and address challenges in financing climate change adaptation projects in the water sector. These priorities are seen as a strong driver to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, given the significant challenges posed by the ongoing global crises since 2030.
In other meetings, the Minister met with Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships; Ms. Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP); and Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Additionally, she met with Mr. Anil Kishora, Vice President and COO of the New Development Bank (NDB); and Mr. Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
During these meetings, H.E. Al-Mashat discussed future cooperation opportunities with the European Union, continuing the strategic partnership between the two sides and efforts to enhance investments through the investment guarantee mechanism currently being implemented, as well as bolstering structural reform efforts.
The Minister also discussed ongoing cooperation projects with the World Food Programme, emphasizing the state’s commitment to supporting small farmers and achieving agricultural and rural development. In her meeting with the Vice President of the New Development Bank, H.E. Al-Mashat expressed Egypt’s eagerness for further joint cooperation with the bank in light of its priorities to support development efforts in developing countries. She praised the organization of the first New Development Bank forum in Egypt last June.
Furthermore, H.E. Al-Mashat discussed with the Secretary-General of UNCTAD the priorities for joint cooperation in light of the close partnership between Egypt and the United Nations. She also explored with the President of IFAD the ongoing projects within the food sector under the country platform for the “NWFE” program, particularly the CROWN project, and discussed the progress of current projects, including the Sustainable Agriculture Investments and Livelihoods (SAIL) project.
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