Al-Mashat, UNDP Discuss Mechanisms for Identifying Development Gaps

During the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a discussion session with Mr. Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, attended by Dr. Abdallah Daradri, Regional Director for Arab States & Assistant SG, and Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti, UN Resident Representative to Egypt.

This meeting marks the first following the merging of the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Economic Development and International Cooperation, reflecting the strategic partnership between the two sides and their collaborative files. Various joint issues were discussed, including mechanisms for identifying development gaps and expanding financing tools for development.

The discussions encompassed several themes related to economic development, emphasizing the importance of integrating efforts between good governance of data and national plans, policies, and strategies pertaining to sustainable development. This is particularly relevant within the framework of implementing the “Egypt Integrated National Financing Strategy”, which will be launched alongside the Future Summit in New York. Preparations for the launch of the Human Development Report for 2025 and the integration of Sustainable Development Goals at the governorate level were also addressed.

During the meeting, UNDP leaders welcomed H.E. Minister Al-Mashat and congratulated her on assuming the ministry's portfolio, affirming the program's commitment to advancing cooperation with the ministry to move forward on projects and joint files that enhance economic development efforts in Egypt.

The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation outlined the new operational framework following the merger of the two ministries, which aims for sustainable economic growth by supporting three key factors. The ministry intends to utilize data-driven policies and evidence to address sectoral development gaps, focusing on investment in human capital, industrial development, small and medium enterprises, technology, entrepreneurship, green investments, and sustainable infrastructure.

Additionally, the ministry aims to build a resilient economy for the future, ensuring macroeconomic stability and implementing structural reforms that enhance competitiveness, overall financial resilience, and green transformation. This will also involve improving resource allocation through an integrated framework that mobilizes local and international financing for priority sectors, accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the strategic partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the UNDP, highlighting the necessity of enhancing cooperation to bridge sectoral development gaps and promote investment opportunities while expanding innovative financing tools. The discussion also covered the developments in the current development cooperation portfolio, which includes 45 projects and programs in execution, addressing climate action and enhancing efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change, advancing digital transformation through telecommunications and information technology programs, supporting the private sector, among other areas.

Furthermore,H.E. Minister Al-Mashat discussed cooperation with the UNDP concerning the localization of Sustainable Development Goals, mentioning current preparations for launching the second phase of the localization reports in the governorates. The importance of collaboration to design an actionable qualitative economic growth model and enhance private sector participation in sustainable development processes was also discussed.

Both sides explored leveraging UNDP programs within the government’s plan to develop state-owned enterprises and enhance the efficiency of national data and statistics.

Regarding the area of debt-for-climate initiatives, H.E. Minister Al-Mashat noted that such initiatives could alleviate financial pressures on developing countries and emerging economies, supporting them in executing development plans by reducing external debt payments and redirecting them into local investments for climate mitigation and adaptation projects, as well as financing the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. She highlighted successful debt swap programs with Germany and Italy and the signing of a memorandum of understanding for debt swaps with China.

The meeting also addressed discussions on joint programs and projects within the country program for the period 2023-2027, supporting various sectors such as health, food security, social protection, medium and small enterprises, innovation and digital transformation, and addressing climate change. Additionally, it included joint activities and projects related to the Human Development Report 2025, the second version of localization reports for Sustainable Development Goals in the governorates to be launched soon, enhancing South-South cooperation, trilateral cooperation, the national integrated strategy for financing Sustainable Development Goals, and the national initiative for smart green projects.