2018 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: Egypt
Date:
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
United Nation Theme:
Goverment Statements
- Egypt is committed to progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy, Egypt Vision 2030, is in line with SDGs. The national strategic plan’s three dimensions (economic, social and environmental) are based on ten pillars covering broadly the SDGs. The plan provides programs, policies and measurable indicators in order to put Egypt on the right path toward sustainable development.
- Egypt embarked on a very comprehensive and home grown economic reform program that is supported by the international financial institutions staring November 2016. The Government of Egypt took very bold and timely measures as well as overdue reforms to put the economy on the path towards a more stable resilient economy. After a challenging year, economic fundamentals are stabilizing with reduction in fiscal deficit, curbing in the rate of inflation, waning in external deficit and increasing in the growth rate of output; all of these are met with increased confidence from domestic and international investors. The Government of Egypt is committed to pursuing its agenda of economic reforms to create an enabling environment for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
- Egypt is mindful of the vulnerable groups who are likely more adversely affected by stabilization and reform programs. In order not to leave anyone behind, the Government of Egypt has scaled up its social protection programs and has improved their target mechanisms. In addition, the Government of Egypt is allocating more resources to the more deprived areas to provide better quality of public services and infrastructure.
- Egypt is pursuing an ambitious plan to upgrade its infrastructure across all sectors and all regions within the country. The energy sector witnessed a substantial upgrade in its capacity to produce, transport and distribute electricity. Egypt increased its capacity to produce electricity by at least 15 Gigawatt of electricity using very advanced, sustainable and efficient technologies. Indeed, the energy strategy aims at increasing the share of the renewable energy to reach 42% by 2035. The government has also enacted major reforms in the legal framework of its electricity sector opening the door for increased participation of the private sector and effective regulatory role of the state. All of these efforts in the energy sector are consistent with Egypt’s vision to become the energy hub of the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Egyptian network of highways witnessed major extensions and improvements. The national highway project is a much needed project to link distant parts of Egypt beyond the main cities and the Nile Valley in order to create economic opportunities and to expand beyond the narrow valley.
- The growing population consisting mainly of youth represents both a challenge and an opportunity. It is a challenge since the government needs to continuously scaling up the country’s infrastructure and housing units especially for low income groups. This explains Egypt’s heavy investment in infrastructure projects as well as social housing projects. On the other hand, this young sizeable population would be an asset if these young people obtain adequate quality education and training that prepare them for the fourth industrial revolution.
- Water scarcity within Egypt and regionally is a key challenge for the growing population; especially that the agricultural sector consumes almost two thirds of its supply of fresh water. Ensuring sustainable water resource management is a matter of high priority to the Government of Egypt.
- Egypt Vision 2030 and the 2030 Agenda are implemented by engaging all stakeholders. The role of the private sector and the civil society is key in the realization of these goals. The inclusivity and transformability aspects of the 2030 Agenda and its national counterpart necessitate active contribution of the private sector and the civil society in the achievement of all the goals. The Government of Egypt realizes this fact and is capitalizing on the positive synergies between the governmental efforts, private sector efforts and civil society efforts to achieve this ambitious agenda.
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