UN Commends Egypt’s Reform Experience as a Leading Example in Africa

Negotiations are underway between Egypt and the UN on implementing future projects worth USD 1.2 billion within the strategic framework till 2022.

On the sidelines of their participation at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) held by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Dr. Sahar Nasr, the Minister of Planning, Follow up and Administrative Reform Dr. Hala Al-Saeed and the Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmeen Fouad held a meeting with Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Ms. Amina Mohammed, in presence of Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mohammed Edris.

The meeting discussed supporting several development projects in Egypt, including supporting Sinai and Upper Egypt’s development, developing the sanitation and education systems, empowering women and activating the strategic framework agreement for partnership between Egypt and the UN till 2022 worth USD 1.2 billion.

Ms. Mohammed commended Egypt’s economic and social reforms within the framework of the economic and social reform program announced by Egypt and successfully implemented during the previous period.

She noted that the UN considered Egypt a leading example for economic reforms, particularly in the African Content, following the legislative and structural reforms carried out in the investment climate, given that Egypt has moved up to the 2nd place in the increase in FDI in Africa.

Within this framework, the Egyptian delegation stated that the social dimension was also taken care of through direct and indirect support programs, besides commending cooperation between Egypt and the UNDP, particularly in economic reform and women empowerment.

Moreover, the meeting tackled supporting women’s economic empowerment in lagging areas and supporting governance, where Dr. Nasr stated that the government had several initiatives to be implemented in this framework.

Dr. Nasr also emphasized that the UN programs and frameworks had to focus on lagging areas in Egypt, while highlighting the significance of partnership with the UN which came at a strategic and crucial time.

Afterwards, the Ministers of Investment and Planning held a meeting with heads of the UN economic committees, in presence of Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

The meeting was held in presence of Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Ms. Vera Songwe and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Ms. Alicia Bárcena Ibarra as well as representatives of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe(UNECE).

Dr. Nasr reiterated Egypt’s keenness on enhancing economic, social, investment and development relations with the UN economic commissions as well as achieving integration with all countries worldwide and encouraging the exchange of experience.

She called on heads of commissions to increase cooperation with Egypt in development, investment and social areas, noting that Egypt has several investment opportunities included in its investment map.

In addition, the meeting discussed holding a workshop between GAFI and ESCWA which includes 18 Arab states under the title “Organizational Reform in the Investment Field in Egypt”.

The workshop is scheduled to be held during the period from 26 to 30 August 2018 at GAFI, given that it aims to provide participants with skills necessary to support organizational reform in their functional areas.

The Egyptian delegation and the 54-African state ECA discussed achieving regional integration in Africa and developing development assistance programs that contribute to boosting development in Africa.

Further, the Egyptian delegation and the 53-state UNESCAP handled cooperation in the areas of investment, development and transportation, while the former and the 33-member-state ECLAC tackled strengthening economic relations between countries in the region and attracting new investments to Egypt.

The Egyptian delegation and the 56-member-state UNECE agreed on exchanging and applying the best economic practices. Finally, heads of the UN economic commissions commended Egypt’s economic reform program as well as legislative reforms carried out by the Egyptian government during the previous period which contributed to improving the investment and business environment.