Egypt Daily News – During the launch event of Egypt’s National Integrated Strategy for Sustainability and Development Financing, held today in the New Administrative Capital, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the signing of the joint program document for the “Sustainable and Resilient Food and Nutrition Systems Enhancement Project in Egypt” to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The project is implemented in partnership with national entities, United Nations partner organizations, civil society, the private sector, and international financial institutions.
The document was signed by Dr. Rania Al-Mashaat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, representing the Egyptian government; Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt; Dr. Jean-Pierre de Margerie, Resident Representative and Country Director of the UN World Food Programme in Egypt; Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the Near East and North Africa; and Natalia Winder Rossi, UNICEF Representative in Egypt.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashaat emphasized that the joint program aligns with Egypt’s commitment and vision to enhance food systems, which is a strategic priority for the government, integrating across various cooperation frameworks.
She pointed out that the program directly supports the work of the National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems and is based on Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the National Climate Change Strategy 2050. It also aligns with the strategic framework for partnership between Egypt and the United Nations for Sustainable Development Cooperation (2023–2027).
The Minister added that the program adopts integrated approaches to support Egypt’s national transition towards enhanced food systems. It proposes a comprehensive set of activities focused on three main outcomes:
- Strengthening institutional capacities, including the National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems, to develop, implement, and monitor national food system pathways.
- Establishing and enhancing frameworks and plans through supportive financing and partnership strategies in selected national pathways.
- Increasing the availability of timely and high-quality data to guide the rapid implementation of national pathways while raising public awareness and building constituencies for food system transformation.
To coordinate the program’s outcomes, monitor progress, and provide guidance, a steering committee will be established under the joint leadership of the UN regional coordinator and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The committee will include national entities, UN organizations, and relevant stakeholders, ensuring strategic direction and continued cooperation beyond the joint program’s duration.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashaat highlighted that this joint program is part of a broader partnership between the UN and the Egyptian government for food system transformation. It is designed to serve as a bridge for ongoing cooperation, noting that Egypt has actively participated in the UN Food Systems Summit and is committed to implementing national pathways for food system transformation under the leadership of the National Committee for Food and Nutrition Systems.
The program directly supports the national coordinator’s efforts and aligns its activities with national priorities, policies, and frameworks, ensuring commitment to implementation follow-up.
She further affirmed that institutional sustainability will be ensured beyond the program’s duration by incorporating capacity-building components, developing action plans through financing and partnership strategies, and enhancing monitoring and review mechanisms.
Additionally, the UN system will launch a coordination mechanism for food systems, involving UN partner organizations and other agencies, to contribute to strategic dialogue and coordination with the Egyptian government. In this context, UN agencies will also collaborate on financing and implementing solutions resulting from the joint program to transform Egypt’s food systems. These efforts will include engaging non-UN partners both within and outside the UN framework.
Thus, the joint program will serve as a catalyst for further cooperation and investment by the Egyptian government, UN agencies, the private sector, and international financial institutions.
