By Moharram Fouad
Dr. Sahar Nassr, Minister of International Cooperation, presented a report of Egypt’s efforts in achieving sustainable development, during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development held in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), based in New York. The political forum was titled “No one left behind”.
Twenty two countries praised Egypt’s report, presented by Nassr, and what has been achieved through the last two years since the beginning of El-Sisi’s presidency. Nassr presented the work plan that Egypt followed to achieve sustainable development goals, asserting that citizens’ welfare and integrity are the government’s main goals.
In addition, Nassr expressed her satisfaction that Egypt is among 22 prominent countries that are exerting effort in the field of sustainable development. The government has been following the strategy of sustainable development “2030 Vision”, in accordance with UN goals. It is worthy of note that the current programme of the government has been set with the aid of the private sector, civil society organisations, academics and citizens. Also, the Parliament has approved the programme.
According to Nassr, a national committee, headed by the Egyptian Prime Minister and coordinated by the Ministry of International Cooperation, has been established to review sustainable development goals. The committee set the government’s main priorities which are ending poverty, enhancing sustainable economic growth, providing reasonable priced houses, improving healthcare and education and starting to use renewable energy.
Egypt’s government is working on providing youth with work opportunities through small and medium-sized projects; these projects represent 98 per cent of companies in Egypt. El-Sisi stated that 2016 is the “youth year”. Moreover, projects of facilities, communications and industrial areas’ infrastructures have been launched. Efforts of using renewable energy have been exerted as the government set a goal to hit 20 per cent of renewable energy usage by 2020. In addition, a 3500km road has been developed as a part of the National Road Project, Nassr said.
Nassr pointed out El-Sisi’s efforts of launching a housing programme to assist youth and low-income citizens; it is expected that 3,6 million Egyptian citizens with very low income will benefit from this project, most of them are below the poverty line. Moreover, the government is determined to improve poor slums and provide suitable houses which caused a paradigm shift in those who used to suffer.
The Ministry of International Cooperation has played a significant role in enhancing partnerships and multi-stakeholder partnership, in addition to providing tangible or intangible aids. Nassr has concluded Egypt’s report of achievements, highlighting “It is excellent to make use of such an opportunity to achieve peoples’ dreams of having social equality.”
On the other hand, Helen Clarck, Manager of United Nations Development Program (UNDP), praised the efforts of Egypt to achieve sustainable development whereas Nassr asserted Egypt’s determination of moving its people forward. Nassr expressed her wishes to be supported by UNDP which has a significant role in supporting development in Egypt for more than 5 decades.
Similarly, G. Ryder, General Manager of International Labour Organisation, gives credit to Egypt for its significant role in sustainable development. Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General of UN Women, expressed her appreciation of Nassr’s efforts to empower the Egyptian woman on both economic and social levels. In this regard, Nassr asserted that gender equality is a main objective in achieving sustainable development goals.
Nassr met Ambassdor O John, UN Korean Permanent Representative and President of Economic and Social Councils, to discuss bilateral relations between Egypt and South Korea. Projects of infrastructure, water and sewage were discussed as well O John asserted that South Korea supports Egypt, praising the Egyptian economic and social programme. He expressed his happiness of launching an Egyptian-Korean professional training programme.
