CAIRO, July 7 (MENA) - Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania el-Mashat voiced her sincere thanks and appreciation to Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Egypt Alessandro Fracassetti in recognition of his efforts during his tenure that witnessed fruitful cooperation between the Egyptian government and the UNDP on several priority development files under the umbrella of the strategic partnership framework between Egypt and the United Nations.

During the minister’s meeting Monday with the UN official on the occasion of the end of his tenure in Egypt, Mashat emphasized that relations between the two sides had seen remarkable progress in light of the partnership aimed at supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She noted that the UNDP had played an effective role in enhancing governance and building institutional capacities by supporting the ministry in developing governance and internal audit units, which contributed to improving government performance efficiency, promoting transparency, and strengthening oversight.

He highlighted UNDP role in empowering the private sector in development by providing the necessary technical support to boost private sector participation in implementing development plans, within the framework of the structural reforms adopted by the state and through the use of sustainable financing mechanisms;

Meantime, the minister accentuated the importance of the UNDP in driving digital transformation and developing public policies by supporting the automation of services and the adoption of innovative policies, which helped enhance institutional efficiency. This also included launching Egypt’s first integrated national financing strategy in collaboration with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Cairo and with support from the UN Joint SDG Fund.

Mashat also referred to cooperation in preparing reports on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as preparing the procedural manual for monitoring and evaluation, which would help serve as a comprehensive reference to promote results-based management. This contributes to improving mechanisms for implementing, monitoring and evaluating development plans and programs and assessing their impact.

For his part, Fracassetti voiced his thanks to the minister for what he termed as “constructive and ongoing cooperation,” whether through the Ministry of International Cooperation previously or after its merger with the Ministry of Planning. He expressed his appreciation for the productive coordination that helped support a number of vital projects within Egypt’s efforts to achieve the SDGs.

At the end of the meeting, the minister of planning honored the UN official in appreciation of his efforts during his work in Egypt, wishing him success in his future endeavors.

Mashat reaffirmed continued constructive cooperation with the UNDP in the coming phase, in line with Egypt’s national priorities and its vision to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development. (MENA)

S A S/M O H