Egypt's localization of SDGs showcases commitment to balanced development

CAIRO - 18 July 2023: Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala El-Said, delivered a speech representing Egypt during the opening of the ministerial segment of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. The forum, which runs from July 10th to 19th, focuses on accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Dr. Hala El-Said emphasized that the High-Level Political Forum and the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September provide a unique opportunity to send a strong political message and reaffirm the commitment to achieving sustainable development. She highlighted the importance of eradicating poverty as a central goal and addressing the challenges that hinder the achievement of the SDGs and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Despite the multiple and interconnected challenges facing the world, Dr. Hala El-Said reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to sustainable development at all levels, aligning with Egypt's Vision 2030. She emphasized that the Egyptian government is taking concrete steps to localize the SDGs in all its provinces, viewing it as a fundamental tool to empower local authorities in supporting development goals.

Dr. Hala El-Said announced the successful completion of Egypt's first-ever voluntary local reviews for three provinces and expressed the intention to continue working with all partners to enhance the localization of the SDGs through knowledge and experience sharing, as well as the implementation of effective policies.

Regarding the SDGs highlighted at the High-Level Political Forum, Dr. Hala El-Said expressed Egypt's concern regarding the achievement of the clean water and sanitation goal, as indicated by the collective results of the sixth SDG. She welcomed Egypt's participation in the United Nations Water Conference in March 2023, including its outcomes and the water agenda. Effective follow-up to the conference was emphasized.

Furthermore, Dr. Hala El-Said highlighted that although Egypt is one of the countries suffering from water scarcity, it continues to achieve tangible accomplishments. The World Sustainable Development Report 2023 indicates that Egypt is on the right track to achieve the SDGs by 2030, thanks to its comprehensive strategy for water resource management and national water policies. However, these efforts are significantly threatened due to Egypt's geographical location as a downstream country dependent on external water sources. Urgent and decisive cooperation in transboundary water resources, based on international law, is required to achieve SDG 6.

In terms of industry, innovation, and infrastructure, Dr. Hala El-Said emphasized Egypt's increased investments in infrastructure, reaching approximately $400 billion in recent years as part of sustainable national investments throughout the country.

Regarding Egypt's commitment to providing clean and affordable energy, Dr. Hala El-Said mentioned Egypt's plan to update its nationally determined contributions in June 2023. This includes a commitment to increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix to 42% by 2030. As part of the pursuit of sustainable cities and communities, Egypt is developing 23 new smart cities across the country, including the new administrative capital.

Dr. Hala El-Said reiterated Egypt's commitment to contribute to collective efforts in achieving sustainable development in all its dimensions during its presidency of the 27th Conference of the Parties. The conference adopted ambitious and practical outcomes, including the Sharm El-Sheikh Implementation Plan, which showcases notable achievements in mitigation, adaptation, and means of implementation. The conference also witnessed the historic agreement on establishing the Loss and Damage Fund.

In conclusion, Dr. Hala El-Said stressed the importance of providing implementation mechanisms for developing countries and enhancing cooperation and partnerships to achieve sustainable development and eradicate poverty.

In positive news, Egypt has made significant progress in its pursuit of sustainable development. The country has demonstrated its commitment to the SDGs by localizing them at the provincial level and implementing comprehensive strategies and policies. The successful completion of voluntary local reviews for three provinces showcases Egypt's dedication to monitoring progress and addressing development gaps. Egypt's investments in infrastructure and its focus on clean energy and smart cities further indicate its commitment to sustainable development. By actively participating in international conferences and cooperating with partners, Egypt continues to contribute to the global agenda of achieving the SDGs and promoting sustainable practices.