ESCWA Launches “Josour” Initiative in Egypt

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) launched the “Josour” initiative in Egypt, featuring prominent Egyptian singer Abu, who supports this initiative aimed at enhancing opportunities and employability for young people since its inception in 2022.

This came during the third Arab Forum for Equality in Cairo, held under the patronage of Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity, and organized in partnership with the Sawiris Foundation, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies at New York University, and the International Monetary Fund’s Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC).

In her address, Nivine El-Kabbag, Egypt's Minister of Social Solidarity, opened the Forum by saying that the human conscience, international laws and moral obligations are challenged by the dire international and regional circumstances under which the third AFE is held. She noted that the Ministry has worked since 2014 on building an integrated responsive and inclusive social protection system for all groups in society to achieve not only sustainable development, but also an equitable development.

Themed “Addressing Inequalities in Times of Multiple Crises,” the two-day forum gathers Arab ministers, senior officials, representatives from UN agencies, regional organizations, civil society networks, and international think tanks. Participants will examine how the convergence of various crises is intensifying inequality within countries.

ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti highlighted the role of ending inequality in strengthening the social fabric, boosting economic prosperity, and moving the sustainable development forward. “Our mission is clear: we build partnerships, we inspire renewed policies and we commit ourselves to defeat all obstacles. We do not exaggerate when we say that our mission is a priority, it is time to work hard for the change we are seeking,” she stressed.

In turn, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation Noura Selim emphasized: “The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development has been driven by a commitment to humanitarian work for nearly 23 years, emerging as a key player in Egypt’s sustainable development landscape. Our unwavering goal is to evolve into a dynamic learning foundation, guided by a knowledge-centric approach and best practices in development. We prioritize evidence-based interventions that are measurable and undergo thorough evaluation to maximize our impact.”

The Forum will also discuss immediate solutions, such as emergency humanitarian aid and disaster risk responses, to mitigate the impact of crises and prevent further inequality. Additionally, policy solutions to ensure long-term sustainable development through regional and international cooperation will be explored.