MoIC to Launch Int'l Cooperation Forum on Sept.8

Minister of International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat announced the launch of “Egypt - International Cooperation Forum (ICF): Engaging for Impact”, on September 8th and 9th, under the high patronage of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

In its first edition, Egypt-ICF is an international cooperation and development financing forum, bringing state representatives from around the globe; namely the Middle East and African region, international financial institutions, development partners, stakeholders from the private and public sectors, and the civil society.

Egypt-ICF aims to discuss means of strengthening joint cooperation in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable development for all, and offers an opportunity to write the future of international partnerships, so as to achieve the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) efficiently.

Minister Al-Mashat stated that “Egypt-ICF: Engaging for Impact'' takes place with the participation of the United Nation’s agencies, regional and international financial institutions, the private sector, think tanks, the civil society, and representatives from Africa and the region. Happening over the span of two days, the forum offers a platform for the exchange of expertise in the field of international cooperation and development financing; pushing for development cooperation in a harmonized manner.

The Minister further elaborated that holding Egypt — International Cooperation Forum reflects the country’s and H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s trust and belief in unifying the efforts of various countries in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, especially in transitional and developing economies.

In light of the global endeavors to set a global agenda advancing the achievement of the 2030 UN’s SDGs, H.E. Al-Mashat added that international financial institutions will participate in the forum; namely the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), Council of Arab Economic Unity, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), and Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

The Minister noted that this forum underscores the vital role of the private sector as a major partner in achieving the SDGs. The forum will also discuss means of promoting the international private sector's development engagement in building back better post COVID-19. H.E. Al-Mashat further indicated that Egypt - ICF serves as an opportunity to exchange views among all stakeholders, and address the challenges that hinder international development efforts post the pandemic. The forum will also shed light on the importance of development financing in pushing forward development efforts.

“Egypt - International Cooperation Forum (ICF): Engaging for Impact” is held at a pivotal time, as development efforts are hindered by the negative repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shedding light on ways to stay resilient in face of climate change amidst the global challenges, the forum unifies the global community; stirring an urgent conversation on global cooperation for sustainable development.