Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Int'l Cooperation Minister Meets WHO Delegation


Thu 09 Dec 2021 | 02:57 PM
Yara Sameh

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, met with a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO), chaired by Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance at the WHO.

The meeting was held in the presence of WHO’s Representative to Egypt, Dr. Naima Al-Qusayr, the Regional Adviser of Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Prevention and Control at World Health Organization Maha Talaat, the Technical Officer for Antimicrobial Programs at the WHO’s office in Egypt, Dr. Omar Abu El Atta.

During the meeting, they discussed the roadmap and main recommendations that aim to develop the country strategy between Egypt and the relevant stakeholders, within the framework of the UN Partnership Development Framework 2023/2027, and to link presidential initiatives, such as the ‘Decent Life’, with the field of antimicrobial resistance, as well as to enhance the engagement of different relevant sectors in developing and implementing the national action plan for antimicrobial resistance.

Al-Mashat welcomed the Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance at the WHO and her delegation.

She also applauded the United Nations and its affiliated agencies’ efforts in supporting the national priorities across various sectors, and in advancing towards the achievement of sustainable development.

The Minister stated that the Ministry of International Cooperation chaired national consultations during the past couple of months, to prepare for the UN Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF) with Egypt 2023/2027, with the participation of more than 30 national agencies and UN agencies; defining the main cooperation frameworks for the upcoming five years, in a way that aligns with the national development goals.

Al-Mashat explained that the Ministry of International Cooperation constantly prepares country strategies with all bilateral and multilateral development partners, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), in a way that bolsters the impact of development cooperation and development financing, to support Egypt’s Vision 2030.

This comes within the framework of the priorities of the new national program 2023/2027 which aims to improve people’s livelihoods, implement the ‘Decent Life’ presidential initiative goals, protect natural resources, enhance security and sustainability, develop and invest in human capital, and to promote transparency, governance and inclusive partnerships.

Al-Mashat noted that the health sector is one of the high-priority sectors, through which Egypt aims to achieve development, in a way that aligns with the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Egypt’s Vision 2030, such as the implementation of Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS), and to strengthen the health sector’s infrastructure.

Furthermore, H.E. referred to the Government of Egypt’s efforts to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic, through taking all the necessary health precautions and measures to preserve people’s health, which has received applause from the international institutions.

The Minister emphasized that the upcoming cooperation with WHO aims to enhance and strengthen the partnerships that push forward national development, such as the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), this is in addition to partnering within the framework of Egypt’s hosting of COP 27 and the World Youth Forum that will be held January 2022.

For her part, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance at the WHO, addressed the threat that antimicrobial resistance poses to public health, the environment, and plants.

She also highlighted the importance of linking the ‘Decent Life’ presidential initiative to antimicrobial resistance, and to engaging all stakeholders in the process of developing and implementing the national plan on antimicrobial resistance.

The WHO’s Representative to Egypt, Dr. Naima Al-Qusayr, emphasized that health encompasses ensuring food security, water, and a clean environment; noting that these all contribute to a healthy life.

She stressed the necessity of consolidating cooperation between all relevant stakeholders in the health sector, and engaging the antimicrobial resistance file in the COP 27 that will be hosted by Egypt next year.

The Ministry’s ongoing portfolio encompasses 36 development projects to implement the UN’s SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, with channeled development financing worth $1.4 billion, representing 5.6% of the current financing portfolio.