Mashaat highlights significance of hosting World Scout Conference in Egypt

Egyptian Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Co-operation Rania al-Mashaat met on Sunday with Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group Amina J. Mohammed to discuss several joint issues during the 43rd World Scout Conference, which is being held in Cairo from August 17 to 23 with representatives from 176 countries. The conference is organised by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement and hosted by the Egyptian Federation of Scouts and Girl Guides.

During the meeting, the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Co-operation highlighted the significance of hosting the World Scout Conference in Egypt and hailed the global scouting movement’s role in developing and enhancing the skills of young people to become active citizens capable of positive change.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General stressed the United Nations and its agencies’ commitment to strengthening collaborative efforts with Egypt in advancing towards the SDGs and addressing developmental needs in line with Egypt’s vision and priorities.

The meeting also included discussions on the “Summit of the Future” to be held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Egyptian government’s efforts in achieving the SDGs.

Al-Mashat briefed the Deputy Secretary-General on the ministry’s work areas following the recent merging of the ministries of Planning and International Cooperation and the progress in implementing Egypt-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Agreement (UNSDCF 2023-2027).

Al-Mashat also discussed the objectives of the “Summit of the Future”, scheduled to be held alongside the 79th UN General Assembly session next September. She explained that this summit aligns with the start of the work of the new government in Egypt, which has launched an ambitious programme aimed at a new and innovative approach to evidence-based policymaking and comprehensive development across all sectors.

This approach reflects the political leadership’s vision in sustainable development, fair development finance, and inclusive and sustainable human, economic, and social development, she added.

The meeting also addressed the high-level side event at the Summit of the Future in New York titled “Leveraging Innovative Financing Tools to Accelerate Sustainable Development: A Roadmap for Just Development Finance.”

In this context, Minister Al-Mashat discussed Egypt’s efforts in launching Sharm El-Sheikh Guidebook for Just Financing during COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022, in partnership with several international organisations and entities.

The Minister also emphasised that the guidebook aims to promote just financing principles and define the roles and responsibilities of all relevant entities to stimulate developing countries and emerging economies to attract environment-friendly investments, particularly through private sector projects.

The meeting also reviewed Egypt’s Country Platform for the NWFE Programme, which represents a practical application of just financing principles and serves as an effective regional model and approach for concessional financing addressing adaptation, mitigation, and resilience issues.

This involves 20 development partners, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the United States, Germany, France, and others.

The importance of fostering effective development partnerships and involving the private sector in achieving sustainable development was emphasised.

The Minister highlighted the need for adopting innovative economic models and just and effective development financing systems to restructure the global financial system. She noted that the “Summit of the Future” aims to develop measures for progress in sustainable development.

Moreover, the Minister also underscored the significance of country platforms in enhancing development and climate action, citing the joint statement issued by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group on the importance of such platforms as one of the mechanisms for reforming the multilateral development bank system.

The meeting also addressed the ministry’s efforts in launching the national version of the UN initiative “Generation Unlimited” under the name “Shabab Balad” to implement development projects in partnership with the private sector, international development partners, and civil society organisations and youth.