Mahmoud Mohieldin, the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy on Financing 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said that there are African countries that have managed to control the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic better than financially advanced countries.
Egypt has taken on a leading role in controlling the fallout from the pandemic, Mohielding added.
He also said that international financing institutions are interested in providing the necessary loans to limit the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “Last March, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced the launch of a programme worth €750bn to buy public and private loans, in a surprise move through which it seeks to limit economic repercussions of the epidemic.”
Mohieldin confirmed that health is one of the main goals for sustainable development, and that the world has been experiencing many changes. These can be found in adjustments to population patterns, and areas of recycling, as well as in the reuse of waste, which have now become a common pattern.
The UN envoy noted that these must be carried out under the rule of law and with an appropriate financial return.
He added that every country is committed to the Voluntary National Review (VNR), which is a process through which countries assess and present progress made in achieving global goals. As part of this, they also pledge to leave no one behind, as it is not only a state responsibility, but also that of companies and the whole community.
Mohieldin said, “Egypt’s establishment of its New Administrative Capital (NAC), which will follow all environmental standards and depend on waste recycling and other sustainable infrastructure, will make it an ideal model to be followed up on by Egypt’s other governorates.”
