Egypt and France enhance cooperation towards sustainable development
Egypt and France enhance cooperation towards sustainable development
Egyptian-French relations are an advanced model of an international partnership based on historical foundations of friendship and mutual trust, and strengthened by a convergent political vision and diverse cooperation that includes all sectors. In recent years, bilateral relations between the two countries have witnessed remarkable development in multiple fields, such as health and renewable energy.
In a step that reflects Egypt’s strategic vision towards achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing fruitful international partnerships, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received his French counterpartPresident Emmanuel Macron on Sunday evening, April 6, in a visit during which they witnessed a series of events and agreements that consolidated the frameworks of strategic cooperation between Egypt and France in areas including health, renewable energy, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, technology, and others. Of the fields.
Strategic partnership between Egypt and France
The most prominent event of the visit was the announcement of the strategic partnership between the two countries, which included the signing of a number of long-term agreements and memorandums of understanding, which indicates the transition of strategic cooperation between Egypt and France from the level of scattered initiatives to a more integrated and coherent level.
This visit came at a very important time, as the world is witnessing rapid changes in the balance of economics and international politics, which gives such partnerships a strategic character that goes beyond the traditional bilateral dimensions, and opens the way for multi-level cooperation. Therefore, the activities of the visit were not limited to official meetings and signing agreements, but also included platforms for direct dialogue and interaction between representatives of the two governments and the business sector, which allowed for discussion of future investment opportunities and common challenges.
Egyptian-French Business Forum
One of the most prominent events that took place on the sidelines of that visit was the “Egyptian-French Business Forum,” which was held in Cairo last Monday – April 7th – in the presence of the two presidents, and a number of ministers and officials from both sides, amid praise from Eng. Hassan Al-Khatib – Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade – for what he described as “a qualitative transformation in the map of economic cooperation.”
In his opening speech, Al-Khatib pointed out that France is a major strategic partner for Egypt, especially in priority development sectors such as: manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, information technology, infrastructure, and financial services. These are sectors that the Minister described as forming the backbone of a sustainable economy, especially with a recorded increase in trade exchange between the two countries to reach $2.8 billion in 2024, an increase of 14% over the previous year.
Agreements for pivotal development projects
On the sidelines of the “Egyptian-French Business Forum”, 9 financing and grant agreements worth 262.3 million euros were signed, aiming to implement priority projects in the fields of water and sewage treatment, renewable energy, and railways, in a way that supports the state’s plans to achieve sustainable development and enhance infrastructure.
In this context, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, explained that the signed agreements include financing the Regional Control Center project in Alexandria with a value of 60 million euros within the energy axis of the “Novi” program, and this will enhance energy supplies and supportrenewable energy projects in the governorate, in addition to 70 million euros for the new wastewater treatment plant in eastern Alexandria, which It will serve about 1.5 million people and improve water services.
The agreements also include 70.8 million euros for the project to establish a railway linking Al-Rubiki between 10th of Ramadan and Belbeis, which is a vital project that contributes to enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy by facilitating the transport of goods to and from dry ports, and 61.5 million euros for the third phase of the Jabal Al-Asfar wastewater treatment plant project, which aims to expand the station’s capacity and keep pace with the population increase. Which enhances the sustainability of basic services.
The declaration of renewal of technical and financial cooperation between Egypt and France was signed during the Egyptian-French Business Forum, in the presence of Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, French Minister of Economy and Finance, Eric Lombard, and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot. This is in cooperation with the French Development Agency; To finance the four projects referred to.
In the joint press conference, officials indicated that French investments in Egypt currently provide about 50,000 job opportunities through about 180 companies, with a total capital estimated at about 7.7 billion dollars, which reflects the keenness of both sides to support the sustainable development goals, especially Goal (8) “Decent Work and Economic Growth,” which aims to promote comprehensive economic growth and provide suitable job opportunities for citizens.
Mutual support in the areas of social protection
Within the framework of this multidimensional partnership, Dr. Maya Morsi, “Minister of Social Solidarity,” met with Ms. Catherine Vautran, “French Minister of Labour, Health, Solidarity and Family Affairs,” and they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of social care, women’s empowerment, and the rights of people with disabilities, in addition to supporting sustainable energy projects such as green hydrogen, within the framework of strategic cooperation between Egypt and France.
The Minister of Social Solidarity reviewed the social protection programs in Egypt, most notably the “Solidarity and Dignity” program, which has benefited more than 7.7 million families, in addition to economic empowerment efforts, and the issuance of one and a half million integrated services cards for people with disabilities, ensuring that the social protection umbrella reaches the most vulnerable groups.
The meeting between them also discussed the issue of early childhood and nurseries, as a means to empower mothers and raise their economic participation rate, as the Ministry is working to increase the proportion of nurseries from 8% to 25%, with the opening of a model nursery center in the New Administrative Capital.
Cooperation on Transport and Clean Energy
In a step that confirms Egypt’s position as a regional center for green energy, a cooperation agreement was signed between the General Authority of Red Sea Ports and the New and Renewable Energy Authority on the one hand, and the Green Fuel Alliance consisting of the French companies EDF Renewables and Zero Waste (Egyptian – Emirati) on the other hand. This is to establish an integrated station that produces green hydrogen and its derivatives in the Ras Shuqair region, with investments amounting to 7 billion euros, and a production capacity of one million tons annually of green ammonia.
The signing ceremony was attended by Lt. Gen. Engineer Kamel Al-Wazir, “Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Transport,” Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, “Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy,” and Mr. Eric Lombard, “French Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.”
Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir confirmed that the project reflects the state’s commitment to localizing the green fuel industry and attracting long-term investments, and is characterized by its full financing from the private sector without financial burdens on the state. It also provides broad opportunities for local work and training of Egyptian workers to constitute 95% of the direct workforce in the project in the future.
Supporting the health system and strengthening medical partnership
On the health side, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, accompanied his French counterpart, Dr. Catherine Vautrin, on an inspection tour to Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357 and the Nasser Institute for Research and Treatment, with the aim of reviewing the Egyptian experience in developing the health sector, and exchanging experiences with the French side, especially in the fields of specialized care, scientific research, and medical training.
The tour included a visit to treatment units and specialized departments, including the open-heart surgery unit at the Nasser Institute, and the research and art therapy unit at Hospital 57357. The French Minister expressed her admiration for the level of medical services provided, stressing that Egypt possesses an infrastructure and medical competencies that qualify it for regional leadership in the field of health care, and also praising the great progress made by the Egyptian state in expanding the scope of health coverage and improving the quality. Care.
A joint press conference was held between the two ministers, in which the features of the strategic partnership between Egypt and France in the health sector were highlighted, including cooperation in opening the first foreign branch of the French National Cancer Institute “Gustave Roussy” at Dar es Salaam Hospital (Hermel). This is a project that French officials described as a turning point in international medical cooperation, and reflects France’s confidence in Egypt’s capabilities to be an advanced regional center for treating oncology and developing scientific research in the health field.
Enhancing cooperation in antiquities and culture
As for the tourism sector, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities – Mr. Sherif Fathi – held a meeting with the French Minister of Culture, Ms. Rashida Dati, at the headquarters of the National Museum of Civilization in Fustat, where ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the archaeological field were discussed. The meeting witnessed a joint emphasis on the depth of the historical developmental relations between the two countries, which culminated in the signing of the strategic partnership agreement between Egypt and France.
The meeting also touched on existing cooperation projects, such as the tripartite agreement between the French Institute of Oriental Antiquities, the French Institute in Cairo, and the Supreme Council of Antiquities; To train workers at Egyptian archaeological sites and museums in the specialized French language.
Shared Commitment to Sustainability
Such partnerships, based on mutual benefit and mutual respect, remain one of the most realistic ways to confront common global challenges and build a more sustainable future for all, and reflect the commitment of both sides to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal (17) “Forging partnerships to achieve the goals,” through implementing strategic projects based on innovation, promoting green growth, and exchanging knowledge and experiences in a balanced and sustainable manner.
The Earth Guardsvalues this inspiring model of partnership between Egypt and France, as a qualitative step towards achieving comprehensive sustainable development that takes into account humans, the environment and the economy at the same time, and paves the way towards international cooperation capable of facing common global challenges.
