Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat has reiterated that multilateralism plays a key role in supporting the global efforts towards achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Minister’s remarks came during her participation in a panel discussion titled “International Cooperation as a Driver for Sustainable Global Development”. The discussion took place as part of the 24th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia, which came to an end on 5 June.
During her speech, Minister Al-Mashat referred to SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, stating that common goals make partnerships more enabling and impactful.
The minister said that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has emphasised and established several new concepts of partnerships and solidarity, not only between people of the same nation, but also between different countries.
The minister also referred to SDG 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which brings together people, countries and stakeholders, to the same table. It aims to open new horizons of cooperation, whilst creating a global consensus regarding the global development goals that must be achieved within less than a decade.
She further tackled the Ministry of International Cooperation’s goals towards advancing the achievement of the SDGs in Egypt through the principles of Economic Diplomacy. This will also take place through the Multi-Stakeholders Platform, the Official Development Assistance (ODA) mapping to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Global Partnerships Narrative.
Minister Al-Mashat added that the Multi-Stakeholders Platform (MSP) affirms engagement, not only of governmental institutions, but also multilateral and bilateral development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
She stressed that international cooperation is more important now, in order to ensure the activation of joint international efforts. This will work towards achieving development goals, exchange experiences, knowledge, and new technologies between countries in a more equitable manner. This is in addition to developing national policies in each country, ensuring a better future for all.
The minister emphasised the importance of holding global forums and expos to exchange experiences, discuss the world’s latest developments, and to enhance multilateralism. These also aim to craft an international cooperation framework that brings stakeholders together on the same table so as to achieve the SDGs.
