Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, recently hosted Dr. Patrick Jean Guillabert, Regional Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Egypt, to discuss strengthening cooperation on green projects and the National Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) nexus program. The meeting, aligned with the Egypt - United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027, took place at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
During this pivotal meeting, which also saw the presence of Ahmed Rizk, Deputy Representative of the Regional Office, the parties reviewed the existing development cooperation portfolio executed by UNIDO in Egypt. They explored potential avenues to promote green industries and facilitate the transition of manufacturing companies to renewable energy sources.
Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of this collaboration in light of Egypt's commitment to achieving comprehensive and sustainable industrial development through the Country Partnership Program (PCP) 2021-2025. Discussions also delved into UNIDO's vital role in the "NWFE" program, highlighting priority projects under the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, specifically focusing on leveraging UNIDO's expertise in green hydrogen.
The minister lauded previous cooperation with UNIDO, particularly highlighting the ClimaTechRun competition, a global initiative supporting climate action startups, as a testament to productive partnerships between the government, international agencies, and the private sector. The competition witnessed participation from 422 startups and 166 digital artists from 98 countries over two editions.
Furthermore, UNIDO's engagement in the Ministry of International Cooperation’s Private Sector Engagement Portal was noted, showcasing capacity-building and technical assistance services offered to the private sector. The Joint United Nations Team on Digitization and Innovation (JTDI) initiative was also discussed, aiming to foster innovative government project ideas in collaboration with emerging technology firms.
Dr. Guillabert commended the ongoing cooperation with the Egyptian government, recognizing Egypt's national efforts to bolster industrial capabilities. He revealed that UNIDO’s current portfolio in Egypt is its third largest globally, underscoring the organization's commitment to enhancing national infrastructure for sustainable industry solutions and supporting Egypt's journey towards sustainable development.
The ongoing UNIDO portfolio in Egypt includes 18 projects worth $52 million, focusing on transitioning to a circular economy, supporting trade and industry, promoting green growth, and enhancing energy efficiency across various sectors. This meeting reinforces the mutual commitment of Egypt and UNIDO to advancing green industry solutions and achieving sustainable development goals.
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