Minister Rania al-Mashat meets Iraqi delegation to present Egypt’s developmental experience via international cooperation

 

CAIRO - 6 February 2021: Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat met with an Iraqi delegation headed by Dr. Maher Hammad, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Planning for Technical Affairs, Ms. Taif Sami Muhammad, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Iraq's ambassador and permanent representative to the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Nayef Al-Dailami, and a number of officials from the State of Iraq. 

 

This is in the context of showcasing Egypt’s development story for Iraq to benefit from its challenges and success, strengthening bilateral relations, and following up on the results of the  joint Egyptian-Iraqi High Committee held last October that resulted in the signing of 15 cooperation documents in various fields.

 

During the meeting, Al-Mashat reviewed the ministry’s mandate in accordance with Republican Decree No. 303 of 2004 which is to develop and strengthen the economic cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and other countries as well as international and regional organizations; propose the criteria for obtaining external financing, both funds and grants; follow-up and monitor ministries and national agencies that benefit from foreign financing within the framework of the general economic policy of the country to ensure achieving the economic development goals; and  manage Egypt’s economic relations with international organizations of economic cooperation, the international financial institutions and specialized agencies of the United Nations.

 

Al-Mashat also explained the principles of Economic Diplomacy which the ministry utilizes to strengthen economic relations with bilateral and multilateral development partners as a way to provide facilitated development funds to State sectors and the private sector, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She added that the Ministry of International Cooperation oversees the 377 projects, amounting to over $25 billion, implementing Egypt’s 2030 National Agenda  in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

 

Al-Mashat explained that the Ministry, through Economic Diplomacy, is pushing forward with cooperation with bilateral and multilateral development partners based on three main principles. The first principle is through regularly organizing Multi-Stakeholder Platforms to ensure that all projects between development partners are streamlined and effectively aligned with the national agenda and the 17 UN SDGs. The second principle is mapping ODA financing to the SDGs for all projects with bilateral and multilateral development partners. Lastly, the third principle is adopting a consistent Global Partnerships Narrative: People at the Core, Projects in Action, and Purpose as the Driver, to showcase the story of Egypt’s development trajectory. 

 

Last year, Egypt secured $9.8 billion in development financing since January 2020 that meet various targets by 2030. This includes $6.7 billion secured for financing sovereign projects and $3.2 billion in support of the private sector, and SMEs. This showcases the Ministry’s success in securing development funds despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Egypt’s homegrown economic reform program that had begun in 2016 supported the country during these challenging times.

 

Al-Mashat added that the role of the Ministry of International Cooperation is not limited to securing development funds with development partners, but rather it also extends to following up with the beneficiaries in terms of use and payment. Due to this, the Ministry has set up a following-up committee that ensures the fast and effective implementation of development projects. 

 

She explained that the Ministry co-chairs the United Nations Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF) in conjunction with the Resident Coordinator. The UNPDF is based on four pillars: Inclusive Economic Development,  Social Justice, Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Management, and Women’s Empowerment. 

 

Al-Mashat stressed that transparency is an essential part of the work strategy of the Ministry of International Cooperation. For this reason, the Ministry issued the annual report for the year 2020 titled “International Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Writing the Future in a Changing Global Dynamic”. This report presents the details of development work and international partnerships during 2020. She added that the Ministry is working to achieve its goals in coordination with all ministries and relevant authorities in both the public and private sectors.

 

The Minister of International Cooperation also mentioned that Egypt has won international awards in recognition for its successful international partnerships in many sectors. One of the major success stories is the story of Benban Solar Park, the largest solar energy  power complex in the world. This was implemented in cooperation with the government, the private sector and few development partners. Another major project is Bahar El-Baqar Wastewater Management, which is one of the most important water treatment projects that falls under the Sinai Community Development plan.

 

From their part, officials from Iraq expressed their aspirations in strengthening bilateral relations with the Arab Republic of Egypt in various fields to achieve economic integration, to improve state sectors, and to implement what was agreed on in the Joint Egyptian-Iraqi Higher Committee. 

 

Al-Mashat had met Iraqi delegation headed by Dr. Khaled Battal, the Iraqi Minister of Planning, last December to follow up on the results of the Joint Egyptian-Iraqi Higher Committee, to discuss the activation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the committees, and to enhance strategic cooperation between Iraq and Egypt in various fields. During that time, Al-Mashat and Iraqi delegation visited the New Administrative Capital (NAC) as an example of Egypt’s newly developed sustainable cities. 

 

It is worth noting that the first Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee was held nearly 30 years ago. From October 28 to October 31 2020, the second Egyptian-Iraqi committee was held and 15 documents were signed in various fields to enhance joint cooperation between the both countries.