MOIC Follows up on Implementation of Outcomes of 2nd workshop on Technology & Innovation

Within the framework of implementing the project proposals and ideas of the second workshop within the joint initiative between the government and the UN working group on technology and innovation (JTDI), which was held last November, the Ministry of International Cooperation held a meeting in the presence of representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Communications and Information Technology , representatives of United Nations agencies, the private sector, entrepreneurs, and academics.

During the meeting, the participants were divided into four working groups to study and research proposed projects in the fields of agriculture, transportation, energy, and irrigation, within the framework of joint efforts with the United Nations to crystallize ideas and projects that enhance innovation and digital transformation efforts, in light of the role played by the Ministry of Cooperation. International coordination between national bodies, UN agencies and development partners to meet development requirements and enhance efforts to achieve the SDGs. The concept papers for these projects are expected to be completed by the end of June 2024.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, pointed out the importance of the efforts made with the United Nations within the framework of JTDI, as this initiative, which was launched in coordination with national entities, and aims to promote innovative solutions and technology-based project ideas between the government and agencies, the United Nations and the private sector in light of the presidential assignments of the Ministry of International Cooperation to supervise the implementation of the strategic framework for partnership with theUnited Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027, which represents the cornerstone of cooperation between Egypt and the United Nations to promote solutions based on technology and innovation.

Earlier, Al-Mashat, Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel Al-Wazir, Minister of Transport and Communications, Major General Hisham Amna, Minister of Local Development, and Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, witnessed the opening of the second workshop between the government and the United Nations to crystallize ideas on technology and innovation, with the participation of Dr. Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Adel Darwish, Director of the ITU Regional Office for Arab States, Patrick Jean Gilbert, Representative of the UNIDO Regional Office in Egypt, and Dina Saleh, Regional Director for the Near East, North Africa and Europe at the International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other representatives of the government, the United Nations, the private sector, and academic entities.

The second workshop focused on climate action and enhancing environmental and digital systems through the components of the NWFE” program, which drives innovation and partnership between the government and private sectors, builds capabilities, and enhances interaction between relevant parties to promote project ideas and innovation-based solutions to promote sustainable development, based on the success achieved in the first workshop, which resulted in many proposed projects in different areas of development.

It is worth noting that the first workshop was held in 2022, resulting in 4 proposed projects in the field of supporting rural tourism, the unified transportation card system and smart transportation solutions for passengers in Greater Cairo, the Egyptian heritage digitization project, and the project of an integrated coordination platform for local development for the effective use of resources. This is in coordination between the relevant national authorities and UN agencies.

The JTDI includes agencies and institutions concerned with science, technology and innovation in order to advance the SDGs, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Bank, and others.