Egypt has adopted a national human rights strategy aimed at consolidating the principles of equality and justice among citizens, in line with the sustainable development goals 2030, which calls for solidarity and joint action to achieve justice and access to the fruits of development. In line with these significant efforts and the role of international cooperation with development partners to achieve the objectives of this strategy, many challenges may face these efforts, such as the repercussions of Corona virus, as well as other regional events and developments.

Accordingly, Canada Egypt Business Council and the Egyptian Business Council for International Cooperation had the honor to host H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat; Minister of International Cooperation and H.E. Moushira Khattab; Chairman of The National Council for Human Rights discussing the topic “International Cooperation and Implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy”

In his opening remarks Mr. Motaz Raslan; on behalf of CEBC & ECIC; was pleased to welcome H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat; Minister of International Cooperation and H.E. Moushira Khattab; Chairman of The National Council for Human Rights, distinguished ministers, ambassadors, members, guests and the followers of the meeting via online live streaming.

He started his speech explaining that Egypt over the past years, with strong support from the political leadership, has adopted and implemented clear strategies to consolidate human rights, including the establishment of the Permanent Higher Committee for Human Rights at the end of 2018 to promote and implement international and regional commitments. He added that Egypt also placed the realization of the basic rights of the citizen as a main pillar of the sustainable development strategy, Egypt Vision 2030. He went on to explain that these efforts were reinforced by the launch of the first integrated national human rights strategy on September 11, 2021 which President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi described as the luminous moment in the contemporary history of Egypt. Mr. Raslan pointed out that all human rights organizations and councils in the world are non-governmental organizations that rely on grants in the implementation of their programs and activities.

He elaborated the significant role of the Ministry of International Cooperation in providing such grants and funds in cooperation with international organizations and development partners, in a way that contributes to supporting the plans and activities of the National Council for Human Rights. “This is in addition to its important role in bridging the financing gap to achieve development, advance economic and structural reforms, and work to achieve sustainable development goals, he concluded”.

In their opening remarks H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat; Minister of International Cooperation and H.E. Moushira Khattab; Chairman of The National Council for Human Rights were keen to shed light on the state’s efforts to adopt Egypt’s national human rights strategy that aims to consolidate the principles of citizenship, equality, and justice among all citizens, in line with the sustainable development goals, Egypt’s vision 2030 that calls for human empowerment, solidarity.

From her side H.E. Moushira Khattab; Chairman of The National Council for Human Rights, explained that the National Council for Human Rights plays a significant role in following up on the human rights situation as an “independent national council”. She added that the Council includes a group of distinguished members that were chosen after a democratic election process for the first time in Egypt, in light of wide nominations from the Egyptian civil society. H.E. Dr. Khattab went on to praise the state’s effort in empowering women of Egypt despite of all the challenges they face as a result of negative traditions and practices, indicating that gender equality is a main pillar of human rights. She also confirmed although the National Council for Human Rights has no authority over ministries, however, she added that the Council will strive to preserve its principles in consolidating the principle of citizenship justice, equality and justice among all governmental, non-governmental organizations and citizens.

In her speech H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat; Minister of International Cooperation stated that the Ministry of International Cooperation works on coordinating development efforts with the United Nations, and all development partners, to establish their vision and steps of implementation of projects that come as part of the presidential initiative.

H.E. further noted that this is within the framework of the fruitful and strategic cooperation between Egypt and the United Nations, through the UN Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF) from 2023 to 2027, and through supporting national efforts that are aimed towards achieving inclusive development in Egypt’s rural areas through the decent life initiative.

H.E. Minister El Mashat said that Egypt signed development funds worth €715.6 million in several development sectors with the French Development Agency (AFD), in an aim to achieve the sustainable development agenda of the Egypt. She added that further partnerships with development partners including the European Bank resulted in development funds worth 8.6 billion euros serving more than 145 projects since 2021, and about 76% of these funds targeted the private sector.

H.E. Minister El Mashat added that the Ministry of International Cooperation works for building further partnerships with international development organizations aiming for providing development funds for major projects including mitigating the repercussions of climate change. She concluded that the current portfolio includes 85 projects working on the adaptation to climate change and mitigating of its repercussions with a fund of $ 11.9 billion, in an attempt to support the state’s efforts in implementing goal 13 of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Then the floor was opened for questions and answers where many inquiries, questions and suggestions were discussed and many attendees praised the ongoing efforts of both the Minister of International Cooperation and The National Council for Human Rights.