Egypt, UNPD Discuss Boosting Strategic Partnership

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat held a meeting to discuss strengthening the partnership between Egypt and the United Nations (2018-2022) and their cooperation file to ensure that it is in line with Egypt's development goals.

The meeting was held in the presence of Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Program “UNDP” Randa Abul-Hassan and Director of International Cooperation for Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Lamia Mukhaimer.

The meeting comes within Egypt’s framework of partnership with the United Nations for 2018-2022, which is composed of four outcomes: namely inclusive economic development, social justice, women's empowerment, and sustainable management of natural resources.

It aims to accelerate progress in achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable goals, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al-Mashat noted that the partnership framework with the United Nations until 2022 was designed through the inclusive engagement of different stakeholders in society, including ministries, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector, ensuring that all development efforts are harmonized and streamlined.

The minister also shed light on the development initiatives during the pandemic, which focused on protecting citizens from the virus, accelerating the pace of digital transformation, supporting medium, small and micro enterprises, and supporting the national strategy for the empowerment of women.

For her part, Abul Al-Hassan reviewed the cooperation file with the Egyptian government in several areas, including the comprehensive response to the economic and social repercussions of the pandemic.

She explained that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will work to strengthen institutional frameworks and partnerships, through development solutions that reduce poverty by promoting decent work, increasing resilience to climate and health risks, and empowering women.

Abu Al-Hassan noted that the total number of ongoing projects of the United Nations Development Program in Egypt are 50 projects in more than 20 governorates, with $60 million allocated in 2019 for these projects.

The current year budget amounts to $66 million US, in which one million dollars were allocated to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt.