Egypt and Japan Celebrate Milestone in Development Cooperation

On Tuesday, Egypt and Japan commemorated a significant milestone in their diplomatic relationship by holding the annual Egypt-Japan High-Level Policy Dialogue for development cooperation. The meeting took place at Egypt's Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in the New Administrative Capital, with H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and Mr. OKA Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, leading the discussions.

This year’s dialogue is especially momentous as it marks 70 years since the inception of development cooperation between the two nations. The partnership began in 1954 when Japan invited an Egyptian expert for agricultural training, laying the foundation for a relationship that has since flourished across various sectors. Japan's support has been instrumental in Egypt’s socio-economic development, with over USD 2.4 billion in grant aid and technical cooperation and an additional USD 3.2 billion in yen development finance provided over the decades.

At the dialogue, both nations reflected on their longstanding cooperation and reviewed the achievements of the past year. Key projects discussed included the Cairo Metro Line 4 Phase 1, the expansion of Borg El Arab Airport, and various initiatives focused on human capacity development. The launch of the "Egypt-Japan KOSEN" educational system and improvements in market-oriented agriculture through the ISMAP project were also highlighted as significant milestones.

In addition to celebrating past successes, the meeting set the stage for future collaboration. Egypt and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their partnership, particularly in areas such as innovation, green energy transition, and private sector development. Both sides emphasized the importance of aligning their efforts with national priorities, including Egypt’s Agenda 2030 and the NWFE initiative, to ensure that their cooperation continues to drive sustainable development.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat praised the enduring partnership, stating, “The Egypt-Japan High-Level Policy Dialogue coincides with the 70th anniversary of our development cooperation, a testament to our shared vision and commitment in strengthening bilateral ties. Our partnership is particularly focused on investing in people through education and health, quality growth through the green transition and infrastructure development, and sustainable and socioeconomic development.”

Ambassador Oka expressed his gratitude for Egypt's commitment to the partnership and highlighted Japan's contributions over the past 70 years. He underscored the strategic importance of the relationship, particularly in light of the rapid technological advancements and the need for triangular cooperation involving Africa and the Middle East.

Representatives from key Japanese development agencies also played a vital role in the dialogue. Mr. KATO Ken of JICA emphasized the agency’s focus on private sector development, climate change, and universal health coverage, all of which align with Egypt’s national goals. Mr. KITAMURA Kenichiro of JBIC discussed financial support for Egypt’s green energy initiatives, while Mr. NISHIZAWA Shigeyo of JETRO highlighted efforts to support Japanese companies operating in Egypt.

As both nations look to the future, the dialogue reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing strategic cooperation. The discussions not only celebrated the past 70 years of partnership but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations that will continue to drive progress in Egypt and across the region.

This historic meeting underscored the enduring strength of the Egypt-Japan relationship and its critical role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East and Africa. With a renewed focus on innovation and sustainable development, the partnership between Egypt and Japan is poised to reach new heights in the years to come.