Cairo: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations Development Programme titled "Transforming Egypt into a Sustainable Innovative Knowledge Society" to implement the National Policy for Sustainable Innovation 2030.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the aim is to harness technological innovation to create value and strengthen sustainability across all production and service sectors in Egypt as a central approach to overcoming economic challenges, achieving desired growth targets, improving quality of life, and enhancing Egypt's regional and global competitiveness. The agreement was signed by Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Scientific Research Affairs; Ambassador Khaled Anis, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Department of International Development Cooperation; and Ms. Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Resident Representative.
Dr. Ashour emphasized that transforming Egypt into a sustainable, innovative knowledge society is the principal means of overcoming the country's economic challenges and achieving the objectives. He noted that deploying technological innovation is essential to improving the quality of life, achieving inclusive growth, and boosting Egypt's competitiveness regionally and internationally.
The Minister explained that the National Policy for Sustainable Innovation aims to develop the innovation capacities and roles of higher education and research institutions, enhance the developmental role of universities and research centers, diversify and increase innovation financing to support sustainable development and improve quality of life, and instill a scientific, innovative, and entrepreneurial culture - with the goal of transforming Egypt into a sustainable, innovative knowledge society.
Khaled Anis highlighted the need to meet the needs of hundreds of companies emerging from research outputs across all governorates at the national level, and to promote digital transformation and the adoption of artificial intelligence in academic institutions. He affirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' crucial role in supporting the implementation to achieve the desired outcomes.
Ms. Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, stated that today's signing is not merely the launch of a new project but a reflection of the pivotal role played by Egyptian universities and research institutions in directly creating employment opportunities, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding prospects for millions of Egyptians. By strengthening the link between scientific research, innovation, and labor market needs, this partnership helps translate knowledge into inclusive growth, decent jobs, and tangible improvements in citizens' lives.
Dr. Hossam Osman confirmed that the "Alliance and Development" initiative represents a practical implementation of the National Policy for Sustainable Innovation through regional alliances that bring together universities, research centers, industry, and government bodies to promote knowledge-based development.
The strategy adopts five sub-policies: developing the innovation capacities and roles of higher education and research institutions; enhancing the developmental role of universities and research centers; diversifying and strengthening innovation financing to support sustainable development and quality of life; improving the working environment and embedding a culture of science, innovation and entrepreneurship; and the governance of the National Policy for Sustainable Innovation.
The agreement's three main objectives are: building R and D capacities, bridging the gap between R and D and innovation, and building innovation capacities.
Implementation will be carried out by the Innovation and Scientific Research Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The agreement is scheduled to commence on 1 January 2026, run for five years, and has a total budget of USD 32.1 million. Funding will be provided in partnership with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority, and the Fund for the Care of Innovators and Prodigies.