Expanded ministerial cooperation with the French Development Agency to support Egyptian development projects

International development partnerships are one of the basic pillars of supportingsustainable development efforts, especially in light of the widening financing gap facing many countries in implementing development projects and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hence, international financing institutions and development agencies have become a pivotal partner in providing the necessary resources and expertise to support vital sectors and enhance the ability of countries to move forward on comprehensive and sustainable development paths.

In this context, the Egyptian state continues to expand the scope of its cooperation with its international partners to support the implementation of development projects that aim to improve the health and education systems, enhance technical education and vocational training, expand sustainable green industry projects and shift towards a sustainable economy, as well as support small and medium enterprises and enhance economic opportunities. These efforts reflect the state’s keenness to employ international partnerships to serve national development priorities, thus contributing to accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improving the quality of life of citizens.

Signing ceremony of eight agreements at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters

Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad hosted the signing ceremony of eight cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the Ministry of Health and Population, a number of Egyptian agencies, the French Development Agency and the European Union. With the aim of supporting Egyptian development projects in all sectors.

The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, and Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education. The ceremony was also attended by Ambassador Eric Chevalier, the French Ambassador to Cairo, Ms. Veronique Volan, Executive Director of Operations at the French Development Agency, and Ms. Clemons, Director of the French Development Agency’s office. In Egypt.

The Foreign Minister praises Egyptian-French relations

During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech in which he discussed the extent of the development of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the French Development Agency over twenty years, and the resulting pioneering development projects in the fields of energy, water security, and infrastructure, which contributed to enhancing public services and supporting economic and social development efforts in Egypt.

Noting that the extended partnership between Egypt and the French Development Agency represents a successful model of international cooperation based on trust and a shared vision, he expressed his appreciation to the French government, the French Development Agency and all Egyptian and French institutions and cadres that contributed to achieving the accumulated successes of this partnership over the past two decades.

Supporting health and green industry projects

Two agreements come to support the comprehensive health insurance project with a total value of 300 million euros for the benefit of the Ministry of Health, with the aim of enhancing the sustainability of the health system and expanding the scope of services provided to citizens. In addition to signing a memorandum of understanding to support the primary health care project in a way that enhances the quality of basic health services and raises the efficiency of health units in various governorates.

A credit facility agreement was also signed to support the sustainable green industry project worth 45 million euros, which enhances the transition towards a green economy and achieves environmental sustainability. The signed agreements also included a grant to support a project to improve access to services in the targeted areas to enhance economic opportunities, in cooperation with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.

New agreements and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The new agreements reflect the depth of Egyptian-French relations and the joint commitment to supporting sustainable development priorities, especially in the health sectors, in line with the third goal: good health and well-being by expanding the scope of services provided to citizens, and technical and vocational education and training linked to the fourth goal, quality education, with the aim of preparing qualified cadres that meet the needs of the labor market.

In addition to supporting green industry and the transition towards a sustainable economy in order to serve the goals of clean and affordable energy (Goal 7), decent work and economic growth (Goal 8), and industry, innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9).

These agreements also enhance effective development partnerships consistent with the seventeenth goal: establishing partnerships to achieve the goals, and contribute to supporting the efficiency of institutions and developing public services in line with the sixteenth goal: peace, justice, and strong institutions.

In conclusion, these agreements represent an extension of a growing path of development cooperation based on directing international funds and partnerships towards the sectors that most influence the lives of citizens and are most capable of achieving sustainable development. It also reflects the Egyptian state’s orientation towards adopting an integrated development approach that links the improvement of health and educational services, the development of human capital skills, and the promotion of green transformation and economic opportunities, ensuring the achievement of long-term development returns.

Hence,The Earth Guards Foundation confirms that the agreements signed between the Egyptian and French sides reflect an increasing trend towards employing international development partnerships to support priority sectors, most notably health, education and green industry, which contributes to enhancing investment in human capital and accelerating the shift towards a more sustainable economy and the ability to face challenges. Developmental. These agreements also represent a practical model for integrating national and international efforts in order to achieve comprehensive development, the effects of which are directly reflected in the quality of life of citizens.