Cairo: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar chaired the regular meeting of the Ministerial Group for Human Development to discuss several topics at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting was attended by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour, Minister of Parliamentary, Legal and Political Communication Affairs Mahmoud Fawzy, Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Rapporteur of the Supreme Advisory Committee for Human Development and former minister of communications and information technology Magid Osman, as well as the committee's technical secretariat, representatives from various ministries and relevant entities, and several representatives from the World Bank.
At the beginning of the meeting, Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the partnership with international organizations, particularly the World Bank, and expressed his desire for further discussions on the Human Capital Strategy. He noted that the World Bank's report on Egypt's human capital indicators would guide the ministerial group's work, aligning with global indicators and Egypt's development plans.
Spokesman for the Health Ministry Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated that the meeting reviewed the World Bank's report on Egypt's Human Capital Indicators, which addressed demographic and economic transformations. The report emphasized the need to align national policies in health, education, and social protection with global human capital development strategies. It also reviewed challenges from early childhood to labor market entry, stressing the importance of setting clear action plans to address these issues.
The minister emphasized the necessity for joint efforts among ministries and relevant bodies to implement human capital development plans across all life stages, from early childhood education to labor market entry. He reiterated the importance of increasing investment in education and health, expanding preschool coverage, and ensuring universal access to quality early education as crucial for future economic productivity.
The meeting also covered topics such as expanding childcare services, investing in kindergarten education, and reviewing Egypt's successes in reducing school dropout rates. Additionally, preparations for the Third World Conference on Population, Health and Human Development, scheduled for November 12-15 under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, were discussed. The conference is expected to serve as a platform to showcase Egypt's efforts in human development, population, health, and education.