DURING HLPF 2023 ACTIVITIES IN NY:THE MINISTER OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT COOPERATION
H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, met with Mr. Achim Steiner, Director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to discuss supporting means of cooperation between the two parties, on the sidelines of her participation in the activities of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2023 at the United Nations in New York, which was held from 10 to 19 July under the title "Accelerating recovery from Covid-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels."
The meeting witnessed the presence of Dr. Ahmed Kamali, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Mona Essam, Assistant Minister for Sustainable Development Affairs, Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations in New York, Ms. Alia Khaled, Senior Policy Analyst at the Sustainable Development Unit at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and representatives of the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations in New York.
During the meeting, Dr. Hala El-Said stressed the importance attached by the Ministry of Planning to its participation with the United Nations Development Program in the various fields of cooperation currently underway and highlighted the long-term relationship and fruitful cooperation, expressing her confidence in the ability of the United Nations Development Program to provide the necessary support in the current ongoing projects, which include the Human Development Report, the Egyptian Development Gateway, and others.
On the human development report, El-Said explained that it comes at the top of the agenda of the Ministry of Planning and the United Nations Development Program, noting that work is currently underway on the report, with follow-up joint consultative sessions, as a joint consultative workshop is being prepared between the ministry and the program to discuss the subject and title of the report.
El-Said stressed the importance of the United Nations Development Program's continuous support and joint efforts in the success of this year's Human Development Report. This is based on the success of the previous Egypt report.
Concerning the Egypt Development Portal, El-Said explained that the government's intention to launch it is part of Egypt's efforts to stimulate and encourage a comprehensive and participatory path to sustainable development. This will enable data-based and fact-based policies, investments, and programs.
El-Said pointed out that it aims to present the Egyptian government's efforts internationally while ensuring transparency and data availability.
Concerning the soon-to-be-convened Sustainable Development Goals Summit, Dr. Hala Al-Said explained that the summit provides a rare opportunity to overcome the most common challenges in implementing sustainable development goals.
El-Said stressed the need to use multiple stakeholders' opinions to achieve the highest possible benefit for all partners outside the summit. She noted that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has started discussing summit preparations.
El-Said pointed out that Egypt is focusing on localizing sustainable development goals at the governorate level, with many efforts being made in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program, referring to the side event held by the ministry on the sidelines of the high-level political forum with the support of the United Nations Development Program to present the Egyptian experience in preparing local voluntary reports.
El-Said highlighted the support of the United Nations Development Program for the Ministry of Planning in completing the second edition of the reports for the localization of sustainable development goals in the governorates of the Republic, pointing to the ministry's announcement of hosting the Cairo Center for the localization of sustainable development goals in Cairo, in cooperation with UN-Habitat and the United Nations Development Program.
El-Said also talked about the national initiative for smart and green projects, as well as the initiatives launched during the Cop27.
It includes the “A decent life for Africa resilient to climate change” initiative, and the Friends of Greening National Investment Plans initiative in Africa and developing countries, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program. This provided technical and logistical support to launch and implement the two initiatives.
El-Said also referred to the Egyptian Impact Lab, which was launched in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program under the umbrella of the Egypt Impact Lab, in cooperation with MSMEDA.
It includes three main projects: formalization of micro, small and medium enterprises, support for small and medium enterprises to be more export-oriented, financial inclusion, and credit for farmers.
For their part, the representatives of the United Nations Development Program praised Egypt's interest in the Human Development Report, stressing their readiness to provide the necessary support when preparing the National Human Development Report in Egypt, which in turn will focus on the decent life of Egyptian citizens.
Representatives of the United Nations Development Program also expressed their welcome to work with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development on the economic reform program. They also discussed sustainable development goals localization at the local level.