Int'l Officials Laud Int'l Coop. Ministry’s People-Centered Approach in Devt Cooperation

The Ministry of International Cooperation, under the leadership of Minister Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, held on Monday an end of a year event titled, ‘Wisdom17’ to launch the 2020 Annual Report and a new interactive website, which tracks Egypt’s progress towards the SDGs in collaboration with its development partners.

Bringing together over 300 stakeholders from the wider international community, the event witnessed the participation of Country Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti at the World Bank Marina Wes, Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Heike Harmgart, USAID Mission Director for Egypt Leslie Reed, IFC's Regional Director for MENA Beatrice Maser, United Nation’s country representatives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the private sector, academicians, public figures, and civil society.

The report, titled ‘International Partnerships for Sustainable Development’, tracks Egypt’s progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The report draws on the latest available data found in the ministry’s ODA SDG mapping exercise, and provides an overview of Egypt’s implementation efforts, highlighting areas of progress and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on each SDG.

Harmgart expressed appreciation for the ministry’s role in mainstreaming SDGs in development cooperation, and for putting the focus more strongly on the private sector, adding that it is “truly impressed by the website, and we are looking forward to working more intensely on post-COVID-19 recovery and building back better to achieve the SDGs.”

[caption id="attachment_193869" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Heike Harmgart's Words about The Ministry's Efforts[/caption]

Alfredo Abad, Head of the European Investment Bank, commended the ministry’s role in fostering dialogue, particularly in pushing for “inclusiveness with all development partners,” to strengthen perse engagement.

[caption id="attachment_193871" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Alfredo Abad's Words[/caption]

On her part, Maser underlined the ministry’s proactive initiative and drive to bring together development partners to contribute to Egypt’s progress on the SDGs and promoting national development.

She added that the 2020 Annual report and the new interactive website showcases the engagement and contribution of development partners to Egypt’s progress, underscoring the value of international partnerships to deliver positive change for Egypt.

[caption id="attachment_193872" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Beatrice Maser's Words[/caption]

Maser also pledged continued engagement and support in 2021, particularly as the focus will center on the private sector, which presents a “huge potential for Egypt and a great opportunity to unlock this potential.”

Commending the ministry’s fresh and modern vision in documenting Egypt’s development cooperation, Reed, noted that the ministry’s efforts are a “source of inspiration” for development partners. “We need your energy and inspiration as we have a long road ahead,” she added.

[caption id="attachment_193873" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Leslie Reed's Words about The Ministry's Role[/caption]

On the other hand, Uwe Gehlen, Head of German Development Cooperation in Egypt, highlighted the ministry’s initiative to push for more concise dialogue with development partners, which was critical during the time of the pandemic, and made the “process much more transparent and easier for us.”

[caption id="attachment_193870" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Uwe Gehlen's Words[/caption]

Meanwhile, Wes stated that the ministry took an “extra step ahead of us all” insightfully and tellingly and that the World Bank is looking forward to continued collaboration and building on the achievements of 2020.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Ambassador Raouf Saad added that the Ministry’s efforts are “very much needed and timely,” as it “illustrates and promotes the importance of Egypt’s relationship with its development partners, which is important not only in terms of assistance but also in integrating Egypt’s position in the global economy.”

According to the annual report by the Ministry of International Cooperation in 2020, the ministry secured development financing agreements worth $9.8 billion during the year; $6.7 billion for financing sovereign projects, and $3.1 billion in support of the private sector.

Al-Mashat underlined that the ministry has been working to apply the three principles of economic diplomacy, which are: organizing multi-stakeholder platforms, ODA SDG mapping, and the Global Partnerships Narrative (People&Projects&Purpose).