Egypt discusses strengthening cooperation with heads of UN Executive Boards

CAIRO – 27 October 2025: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty and Egyptian Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat, along with Hassan Al-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, received on Sunday, October 26, the heads of the Executive Boards of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), UNICEF, UN Women, and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The meeting focused on ways to enhance cooperation between Egypt and the United Nations and its specialized agencies. The two ministers commended the constructive role of the UN in promoting peace and sustainable development at both regional and international levels, and praised the organization’s various development initiatives and projects implemented across Egypt.

Discussions covered multiple areas of collaboration, including food security, the development of healthcare and education systems, water security, and the provision of essential services to children in the most vulnerable communities. The talks also addressed women’s empowerment, emphasizing the need to expand women’s participation in the economic sector and encourage them to assume leadership roles in both public and private institutions.

Minister Abdelatty. welcomed the UN delegation’s visit to Egypt, particularly as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, noting that the visit reflects the strategic partnership between Egypt and the UN at a time of significant regional and global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and environmental concerns.

He highlighted Egypt’s active role in multilateral diplomacy, noting that the country hosts 38 UN offices, including several regional offices, with more than 2,300 staff members. Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s firm belief in the importance of multilateralism as a cornerstone for building stable international relations based on respect for international law, contributing to global peace, collective security, coexistence, and tolerance among nations.

For her part, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reviewed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable economic development, highlighting the government’s economic reforms in recent years that have improved Egypt’s economic performance, enhanced its credit rating, and strengthened its attractiveness to investors. She emphasized the pivotal role that the United Nations and its specialized agencies can play in supporting Egypt’s national development agenda in line with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Separately, Minister Abdelatty addressed Egypt’s continued efforts to support civilians in the Gaza Strip, reviewing the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and emphasizing the need to fully implement the provisions of the ceasefire agreement and ensure the smooth delivery of humanitarian, relief, and medical assistance to Gaza. He stressed that these efforts aim to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and fulfill their legitimate national aspirations.

The Minister also discussed ongoing preparations for the International Conference on Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development in the Gaza Strip, scheduled to be held in Cairo in November, underscoring the importance of the United Nations’ active participation in the conference to support reconstruction and stability efforts in the region.