Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Mashat, held discussions with Executive Director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, on the priorities of joint development efforts between Egypt and UNICEF.
The talks took place under the umbrella of the Egypt-UN Strategic Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development Cooperation 2023–2027.
The meeting was held at the conclusion of Mashat’s participation in the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
The discussions highlighted the importance of TICAD9 in strengthening relations between Japan and African countries and building multilateral partnerships with international financial institutions and development partners to advance the continent’s development agenda and address its challenges.
Mashat noted that the meeting addressed UNICEF’s 2023–2027 program, which focuses on supporting the Egyptian government’s efforts to expand services for children, ensuring a safe childhood built on health, nutrition, and development, and enhancing their chances for a better future.
She added that the two sides reviewed current efforts in preparing Egypt’s upcoming National Human Development Report, which highlights the country’s steady progress on the Human Development Index over the past two decades.
Egypt has moved from the “medium” human development category to “high” human development, ranking 100 out of 193 countries in 2023, advancing five positions compared to 2021.
The discussion also covered enhancing South-South and trilateral cooperation, especially in the context of TICAD9, and touched on Egypt’s experience in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups.
The Minister explained that they also discussed mechanisms for implementing activities aimed at the economic empowerment of vulnerable groups, and the role of UNICEF in supporting the Egyptian government’s implementation of the Integrated National Financing and Sustainability Strategy, in collaboration with UNDP and ESCWA. This strategy provides a national framework for sustainable development and financing until 2030 and supports identifying development gaps at the sector level and improving resource allocation to priority sectors.
Mashat also pointed out that the two sides also tackled one of Egypt’s key national initiatives, “Shabab Balad” (Youth of the Country) — the Egyptian version of the international “Generation Unlimited” initiative — launched during the World Youth Forum in Egypt in 2022. It is the first national, multi-stakeholder platform launched in the Middle East and North Africa, aiming at empowering youth and integrating them into sustainable development plans.
Additionally, the talks included Egypt’s efforts to localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Egypt Vision 2030, and UNICEF’s role in supporting government efforts to ensure access to essential services for the most vulnerable populations.
