Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that the government works on improving living conditions of citizens and digitization as a two-way solution to combat corruption, which represents one of the obstacles to achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life.
He described the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption as “the most important platform for exchanging best experiences and practices to combat corruption.”
In his speech at the opening session of the conference, on Monday, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Madbouly warned that corruption is not a local matter, but rather transcends the government, which requires strengthening international cooperation to combat it.
Madbouly said that the 2014 Constitution guaranteed the independence of oversight bodies and obligated state institutions to develop a national strategy to fight corruption,
This reflected on development efforts and human rights. Egypt also adopted an economic reform program in 2016, which, along with the mega national projects being implemented, created job opportunities and improved the standard of living.
He explained that the Egyptian state has worked hard to enhance social protection, through programs including (Takaful and Karama), one of the pioneering programs that benefit 3.8 million families, and the (Decent Life) initiative to improve the lives of 60 million people at a value of $45bn, which in itself is an anti-corruption and discrimination.
Madbouly stressed that Egypt also launched this year its national strategy for human rights until 2026, which put the fight against corruption and the promotion of integrity among its priorities, through the principles of integrity and transparency achieved through its four pillars: social, political, economic and women.
He said that corruption according to the United Nations Convention greatly affects the quality of life, and therefore improving life reduces opportunities for corruption, and Egypt has been keen to provide social housing and expand the infrastructure for all.
He stressed that digitization and mechanization of services are at the top of the Egyptian state’s priorities, which enhances the reduction of corruption, by separating the service applicant from the service provider and achieving transparency,
“The new administration is also a catalyst for administrative reform and mechanization of government services,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that the fight against corruption does not fall on the shoulders of governments alone, but the people have a role in it. Therefore, Egypt was keen on empowering youth and women politically, socially and economically, and working to create a new generation of youth who reject corruption.
He added that Egypt’s efforts made it possible to address the crisis of COVID-19 and confirmed its ability to address crises, calling on the international community to work and join hands to make institutions succeed in facing crises.
Madbouly presented Egypt’s Vision 2030 through the sustainable development strategy and the anti-corruption strategy, which reflect the global vision represented by the 17 sustainable development goals, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
He stressed that Egypt seeks to exchange experiences and knowledge with countries in the field of combating corruption, stressing that the current session will produce important decisions that will strengthen the fight against corruption in the world.
The opening session on Monday witnessed the election of Hassan Abdel Shafi, Chairperson of the Administrative Control Authority, as the new president of the conference.
