Strategic agreement with U.N. to find new SDG solutions

CAIRO – 19 March 2018: “That is the challenge that we have decided to have as the centerpiece of our renewed partnership – to jointly find new [Sustainable Development Strategy] SDG-inspired solutions. The U.N. and Egypt have been successful together before and now is the time to continue building upon this spirit,” said Egypt’s U.N. Resident Coordinator Richard Dictus.

In the framework of the agreement signed with Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr on Sunday, Dictus issued a statement on Monday regarding Egypt’s efforts to give shape to its sustainable development pathway.

“It is now the time for a ripened partnership that makes use of the knowledge, expertise and experience of the U.N. combined to give shape to a much more sustainable future for Egypt, as one of the global leaders in SDGs,” Dictus remarked.

He remarked that by adopting the Sustainable Development Strategy – Egypt Vision 2030 (SDS) – in early 2016, economic expansion, increased employment and integrated development solutions will unfold.

“[The new United Nations Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF)] builds on the capacities of the U.N. development system, that reached in 2015/16 nearly 33 million Egyptians through various projects and partnerships with government and civil society,” said Dictus.

He concluded that the U.N. system is committed to protecting the planet and humanity, and that tackling global phenomena, including climate change, war and civil strife, requires the contribution of all countries. He mentioned in this regard that Egypt recognizes this requirement.

“The hard work began already in 2016, setting the stage for the participatory consultations in 2017 that led to this new UNPDF – we all know that the devil is in the details – and we can safely assume that we still have a lot of hard work ahead,” he stated.

Egypt and the United Nations have signed the Strategic Framework Agreement for the Partnership with the United Nations 2018-2022, with a total value of $ 1.2 billion, an official statement said Sunday.

The agreement aims to support the Egyptian government on its quest towards achieving national development plans in Egypt, the statement said.

Nasr said that the overall economic development of the agreement will be based on achieving the agreed goals of comprehensive and sustainable economic development, job creation, and training.

This will be achieved through more effective use of public resources and incentives, support for entrepreneurship, creation of an environment conducive to sustainable investment, and increased access of young people and women to employment, as well as the expansion of the SME sector, Nasr added.

The minister clarified that the area of social justice will support national efforts to control population growth and ensure access to public services for all, including social protection and health, nutrition and education services.