Egypt, UN-Habitat Ink Cooperation Agreement to Improve Life Quality in Dahab

Egypt's Ministry of Local Development and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) have signed an agreement of cooperation to improve investment and the quality of life in Dahab City, with funding from the Islamic Development Bank.

According to a statement recently issued by UN-Habitat, the partnership aims to improve living conditions in the city of Dahab by implementing urban development interventions and smart applications to enhance investment. This is part of a regional program aimed at supporting Arab cities to become productive cities characterized by economic inclusion.

The Minister of International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, explained that the new cooperation agreement comes as a continuation of the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and UN-Habitat. "Today's agreement comes in support of the state's efforts and priorities aimed at developing the Sinai Peninsula and improving the standard of living of citizens in that precious part of Egypt's land."

The Minister of Local Development, Hisham Amna, noted that the signed project agreement comes in light of the Egyptian government's directions to cooperate with development partners towards enhancing and accelerating urban work and achieving flexibility and economic inclusion of Egyptian cities. "The outcomes of the agreement will not only aim to improve residents' livelihoods and social conditions in the city of Dahab but also to innovate new mechanisms to push and enhance local investment, which can be used in all Egyptian governorate cities."

Rania Hadiya, the Acting Regional Representative for Arab States at UN-Habitat, said that this cooperation aims to implement development projects that prioritize economic, social, and environmental factors.

She explained: "It also includes strengthening the capabilities of local administrations and actors to coordinate the financing and implementation of these projects. The pilot city chosen is Dahab, due to its special regional, environmental, and societal importance."

The developed local development programs were launched in January 2024 in cooperation between the Ministries of Local Development and Planning and Economic Development to create a good and appropriate urban environment for local urban and rural communities.