Cairo: Egyptian Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, engaged in a series of bilateral discussions with international officials during the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in South Africa. The meetings centered on the outcomes of the G20 meeting and the recent conference in Seville on financing for development. Discussions also included future economic relations in line with Egypt's national priorities, the ministry stated.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Al-Mashat held dialogues with delegations from multiple countries including France, Canada, Singapore, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Portugal. She also met with leaders from several international organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). A key topic was restructuring the global financial system to address development financing challenges, particularly in developing and emerging economies.
In particular, Al-Mashat discussed bilateral relations advancements with French Minister of State, Thani Mohamed Soilihi, highlighting the strategic partnership with the EU and touching on French investments in sectors like transport, energy, and education in Egypt. With Canada's Minister of International Development, Randeep Sarai, Al-Mashat expressed a desire to bolster cooperation in economic empowerment, climate action, and human development, referring to past collaborations through Egypt's NWFE program.
Further discussions with Singapore's Senior Minister of State, Sim Ann, focused on trade, education, and cultural cooperation, leveraging over 60 years of diplomatic relations. In her meeting with Ant³n Leis Garcia of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Al-Mashat emphasized increasing development cooperation aligned with global financial reforms.
Talks with Japan's Hisashi Matsumoto revolved around expanding financial and project support for Egypt, with Al-Mashat acknowledging Japan's contributions to Egypt's development, including private sector empowerment and funding for the Cairo Opera House. Meanwhile, discussions with South Korea's Deputy Minister Kwoun Ki-hwan explored expanding their strategic development partnership to include more investment and technology exchange.
Al-Mashat also engaged with Portugal's Ana Isabel Xavier, aiming to boost investments in sectors like industry, renewable energy, and information technology. Meetings with international organization heads included discussions with WFP's Cindy McCain on food security and debt-swap initiatives, and with OECD's Mary Beth Goodman on Egypt's economic growth and sustainability.
In talks with IFAD President Alvaro Lario, Al-Mashat covered agricultural and rural development partnerships and international food project mobilization under the NWFE platform. Lastly, with UNIDO's Cecilia Ugaz Estrada, the focus was on enhancing Egypt's industrial competitiveness through gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives.