Sahar Nasr is first Egyptian, African advisor to UNSIF-HLAB

CAIRO – 30 May 2017: Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Dr. Sahr Nasr announced her acceptance to serve as a member at the United Nations Social Impact Fund High Level Advisory Board (UNSIF-HLAB) to be the first Egyptian and African woman on the board, according to official statement of UNSIF released on Tuesday.

Nasr’s role is to provide advice to the UNSIF to maximize its overall social, economic and policy value to the government, the UN, the financial and impact investing sectors, since the Social Impact Fund was established to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of private sector as an important source of financing for development, by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in November 2016.

The minister was chosen for her advocacy efforts to unlock Egypt’s potential through private-sector-led growth, vision for new investment incentives and economic development zones, besides her ties with international partners including UNDP, as well as her efforts to explore new opportunities for cooperation.

It is expected that Nasr will extend her expertise in the implementation of the SDGs, including the areas of small and medium enterprise (SME) development, social housing finance programs, and women’s economic empowerment, to the UNSIF.

Nasr is also serving as the Chair of the steering committee, where strong collaboration is taking place between the ministry and UNDP in areas that accelerate the implementation of the SDGs in Egypt.