Cairo: Egypt's participation in the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations headquarters offers a platform to showcase its advancements in sustainable development and resilience to global crises, according to Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ahmed Rostom. Speaking to the Egyptian TV program 'Good Morning Egypt,' Rostom emphasized that Egypt is one of only 10 UN member states to submit four Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to State Information Service Egypt, Rostom described the HLPF as the UN's primary platform for sharing development experiences and discussing economic and development policies. This year's session occurs amid significant global challenges, including geopolitical tensions and energy market volatility. Rostom highlighted Egypt's reforms and measures implemented to maintain its development trajectory, noting the country's commitment to monitoring and evaluation through its fourth VNR on SDG implementation.

The VNR, a mechanism used by the UN Development Program (UNDP), assesses countries' progress toward the SDGs by evaluating performance in areas like human development, governance, transitioning to a green economy, and expanding the private sector's role. Rostom noted that the VNR report underscores a decade of Egyptian efforts to implement the SDGs, with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and oversight by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly focusing on a citizen-centric approach.

Rostom highlighted the Decent Life (Hayah Karima) initiative as a significant achievement, recognized internationally for improving quality of life and expanding access to essential services in rural and underserved communities. Under the medium-term economic and social development plan, the government aims to boost investments in education, healthcare, and essential services to enhance citizens' quality of life.

The minister stated that discussions during the forum showed appreciation for the Egyptian economy's resilience amid global challenges. He emphasized continued coordination among ministries to achieve the national development plan's targets, ensuring citizens benefit from these efforts. Rostom concluded by expressing pride in serving the nation and reaffirming his commitment to reform and development to meet citizens' aspirations.