In Talks with UNDP, UN Women.. Sahar Nasr Highlights Egypt's SDG's, Women's Empowerment Initiatives

Egypt's former investment minister and current Deputy Chair of the Senate's Financial, Economic Affairs and Investment Committee, Sahar Nasr, held a series of high-level meetings with senior United Nations officials in New York to advance cooperation on sustainable development, women's economic empowerment and social protection.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Forum held as part of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, where policymakers and international organizations are assessing global progress toward achieving the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Nasr began her engagements with talks with Susan Brown, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals during the remaining years leading up to the 2030 deadline.

Nasr highlighted the Egyptian Senate's role in shaping legislation and economic policies that promote sustainable investment and women's economic participation.

She also outlined potential areas of cooperation between UNDP and Egypt's Zakat and Charity House, emphasizing initiatives aimed at poverty reduction, support for vulnerable families, children's education and women's empowerment through coordinated development programs.

Nasr later met with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, where discussions centered on expanding programs that support women's economic and social inclusion.

She presented several initiatives implemented by Egypt's Zakat and Charity House to improve opportunities for women, particularly female heads of household, while also reviewing parliamentary efforts to strengthen legislation supporting women's rights and economic participation.

Nasr said empowering women remains a central pillar of Egypt's broader social development strategy and expressed interest in expanding knowledge-sharing and institutional partnerships with UN Women to enhance protection and income-generating opportunities for vulnerable women.

On its part, UN Women praised Egypt's efforts to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into national development strategies and welcomed closer cooperation with both the Egyptian Senate and the Zakat and Charity House.

As part of her visit, Nasr also met Juan Santander, Deputy Director General for Public Partnerships at UNICEF, to explore opportunities for joint initiatives supporting child welfare and vulnerable families.

The talks examined mechanisms for expanding collaboration on community development projects and strengthening coordination in areas of shared humanitarian and development priorities.

Nasr also participated in the high-level segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), attended by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

The session brought together senior government officials and international policymakers to review global experiences and discuss strategies for accelerating implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.