Planning and Economic Development Minister Ahmed Rostom discussed on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, with Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Rania Al-Mashat ways to strengthen cooperation between the Egyptian government and the UN regional commission on shared development priorities.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations headquarters in New York, in the presence of adviser to Egypt's Permanent Mission to the UN Wael El-Dehshan. Both sides reaffirmed the depth of the long-standing strategic partnership between Egypt and ESCWA and underscored their commitment to enhancing coordination to support development efforts, exchange expertise and build institutional capacities.
Rostom said the ministry is prioritizing the diversification of development financing sources, greater engagement with regional and international development initiatives and support for climate action and the transition to a green economy. He added that the government is also focused on developing qualified human resources to advance the national planning system as part of a broader vision to modernize public investment management and maximize the development impact of public spending in line with Egypt Vision 2030.
The meeting reviewed ongoing technical cooperation, particularly on Egypt's Integrated National Financing Strategy for Development, reflecting sustained collaboration between the government and ESCWA in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The two sides also discussed cooperation in organizing the Arab Sustainable Development Week, held regularly in partnership with the Arab League and regional and international partners, as a leading platform for exchanging expertise and shaping common development visions across the Arab region.
They further highlighted the importance of Egypt's active participation in ESCWA's intergovernmental meetings, which contribute to strengthening regional dialogue and sharing development best practices. For her part, Al-Mashat praised Egypt's continued support for ESCWA's work in the region, as both sides renewed their commitment to expanding cooperation in support of sustainable development priorities in Egypt and the wider Arab region.
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