CAIRO - 7 February 2022: The Ministry of International Cooperation’s 2021 Annual Report launched under the title “Engaging For Impact Towards Our Common Future: International Partnerships for Sustainable Development'', sheds light on the Egyptian-African relations, as well as South-South cooperation to bolster economic relations between African countries.
Africa’s Role in International Cooperation and Development Financing
Bringing the world together, the Egypt — International Cooperation Forum (Egypt — ICF) brought together an assembly of over 1,500 participants and ideas from around the world in the two-day forum; September 8 and 9, held under the patronage of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. It aimed to convene the global community; national, regional, and international policymakers, IFIs, development partners, and representatives from the private sector, civil society and think tanks, to push for multilateralism and streamline joint efforts for an inclusive and green recovery through sustainable finance.
During the panel titled Climate Action in a Post COVID-19 Context: A Twofold Challenge, climate action in Africa and the Middle East was discussed, as an urgent step for pushing forward economic and sustainable growth. The Ministry of International Cooperation was also keen on sharing Egypt’s experience in mapping the ODA to the UN SSGs, within the global framework of the UN and the OECD, to serve as a novel approach for Africa.
Additionally, a workshop on the AfCFTA: Prospects & Challenges of Digital Trade for the Private Sector, to shed light on the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in addressing digital trade constraints and the impact of quality infrastructure on private sector participation in digital trade, the second workshop tackled regulatory solutions, especially for issues such as data and intellectual property protection, and cross-border trade. Furthermore, a panel was held on Food Security & Employment in the Digital Age in Africa, opening the dialogue on the importance of the agricultural sector and how the introduction of modern technologies can accelerate its ability to meet the needs of food security and rural development.
In another panel session titled “The Demographic Divide: Youth & Innovation for Transforming Africa”, the role of creativity and technology in pushing forward economic growth in Africa was discussed, as well as the opportunities across the continent to harness the potential of the fast-paced technological advancements through the promotion of youth-led innovative solutions. It is worth noting that Africa is one of the “youngest” continents on the planet, as 60% of its population is under the age of 25, and so this makes youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation a much-needed element of its development framework.
The Egypt — ICF tapped on triangular cooperation and South-South cooperation, as this panel’s participants emphasized that triangular cooperation plays a pivotal role in turning challenges into opportunities for benefiting the continent, and to pave the way for the development of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, through diversifying international partnerships.
From Egypt to Russia to Africa: A Cooperation Link
Last year, Rania A. Al-Mashat took part in the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and among the various panels and bilateral meetings, the minister took part in the “Russia-Africa” session detailing the link that Egypt can serve in strengthening Russian-African economic cooperation, particularly by forging synergies with the private sector.
The discussion revolved around the impact of rapid global changes during the pandemic; Russia’s business strategy in Africa in the coming period particularly in the health, food security, infrastructure and education sectors; and potential collaborations and projects. Russia and Egypt’s strategic partnerships is reflected in many projects being implemented such as the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project that costs $25 billion, and the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone that is expected to bring in investment amounting to $7 billion. This is alongside the many private sector companies implementing development interventions across the continent such as dams, and electricity and infrastructure projects.
This panel included several policymakers from Russia and Africa, including Firmin Ngrébada, the Prime Minister of the Central African Republic at the time, who said that in 2020, they have witnessed development in relations between the Central African Republic and Russia.
He stressed the need to strengthen cooperation on all levels, especially economically, and to build partnerships that can provide opportunities for the Russian private sector to implement projects with opportunities for foreign direct investment.
In that same vein, the annual report presented the Egyptian- Russian-African cooperation, and Egypt’s openness to economic and investment opportunities across the continent, as Egypt has participated in a number of infrastructure development projects across several sectors, including transport, railways, water and irrigation, health, etc.
Global Consensus on Investing in Africa
Al-Mashat took part in the high-level roundtable discussions, the “Africa in the Age of New Trade Wars” as part of the Africa CEO Forum, and the London School of Economics “China-Africa Trade and Investment” hosted by the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa. Both panels reflected that through international cooperation, and public-private partnerships, a strong foundation for the development of Africa is in the works.
During the LSE discussion, the participants tackled China’s role in enhancing Africa’s future, as the African continent, together with China, have profound potential to explore and develop fields of trade and industry, and contribute in implementing Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, towards advancing the green economy.
Joint Higher Committee with South Sudan
Last June witnessed the first round of the joint Higher Committee’s preparatory meetings at the expert and ministerial levels between Egypt and South Sudan. This is considered the first joint committee to take place since signing the establishment agreement in January 2012, coming within the framework of strengthening joint economic relations between Egypt and South Sudan.
Egyptian-Libyan Joint Higher Committee
Last September, Al-Mashat also launched preparatory meetings for the 11th Egyptian-Libyan Joint Higher Committee Meetings; alongside Mohamed Al-Hweij, Minister of Economy and Trade in the Government of National Unity in Libya, where Egyptian and Libyan counterparts looked into a number of documents and agreements that are proposed to be signed during the work of the Egyptian-Libyan Joint Higher Committee Meetings headed by the Prime Ministers of both countries.
These Joint Higher Committee Meetings come as part of Egypt’s efforts to strengthen its relations across sectors. Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly had visited Libya, chairing a High-Level Ministerial delegation, during which 14 MoUs were signed across various sectors, as well as agreements, as well as signing the joint committee meetings.
During the meetings, several MoUs were signed on joint cooperation in social affairs, in civil aviation, in combating marine pollution and its effects, in marine search, and in housing and construction.
This is in addition to the signing of MoUs regarding youth and sports, an MoU on cooperation in oil and gas, an MoU between Libya’s Organization for Development of Administrative Centers (ODAC) and a group of Egyptian companies including, Orascom Construction, Rowad Modern Engineering, and Hassan Allam Holding. The meetings also witnessed the signing of a contract between the Libyan Housing and Utilities Projects Authority and several of the aforementioned Egyptian companies, regarding the implementation of the third ring road in Tripoli.
The two countries also signed a contract for the design and implementation of the Derna gas station project Milta gas stations project, alongside a consultancy contract for the two gas station projects between General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) and a consortium of Egyptian consultants.
The annual report documents the Ministry’s country-led multi-stakeholder engagement framework within the principles of Economic Diplomacy, including hosting Multi-stakeholder Platforms, and by mapping the Official Development Assistance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where in 2021 the ongoing portfolio includes 372 projects amounting to $26.5 billion, supporting Egypt’s efforts in accelerating development.
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