Sunday 22 Dec
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat held intensive meetings with ministers of economy, development, and international cooperation, as well as officials from international financial institutions, on the sidelines of the G20 Ministerial Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The discussions focused on identifying priorities for joint cooperation and strengthening future partnerships in line with the government's agenda.
Al-Mashat met with Ahmed Hussein,
Canadian Minister of International Development, Eva Granados, Spanish Minister
of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al-Hashemi, UAE Minister of State
for International Cooperation, Sifina Schulze, German Federal Minister for
Economic Cooperation and Development, and Anneliese Jane Dodds, Minister of
State for Women’s Affairs. Equality UK, José de Lima, Secretary of State for
the Economy of Angola, and Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Secretary of State for
Development Cooperation of France.
The meetings focused on deepening
cooperation across various development sectors, building on the strong
partnership between Egypt and its allies. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined the
government's efforts to implement economic and structural reforms under its
2024/2025-2027/2026 program. Key objectives include: developing Egyptian human
capital through investments in social protection, health, and youth/women
empowerment; fostering a competitive economy that attracts investment and creates
private sector opportunities; and strengthening macroeconomic stability.
Rania Al-Mashat highlighted the
crucial role of the G20's Development Working Group in addressing global
challenges such as inequality, fostering cooperation between countries, and
securing funding projects that can help communities adapt to climate change,
especially regarding water management. She underscored the importance of these
efforts in achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals, given the world's
recent crises.
On the other hand, the Minister
of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation held a meeting
with Jutta Urpilainen, European Commission for International Partnerships,
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP), and Rebecca
Greenspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD). She also met with Anil Kichora, Vice President and CEO of
the New Development Bank (NDB), and Alvaro Lario, President of the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
During these meetings, she
discussed opportunities for future cooperation with the European Union,
building on their strategic partnership. This included boosting investments
through the investment guarantee mechanism and supporting structural reform
efforts.
During discussions on ongoing cooperation projects with the World Food Programme, Al-Mashat emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting small-scale farmers and advancing agricultural and rural development. In a meeting with the Vice President of the New Development Bank, she affirmed Egypt’s keenness to expand joint collaboration with the bank in support of developing countries. She also commended the bank for successfully hosting its first forum in Egypt last June."
