CAIRO - 2 June 2020: Egypt’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development released a report about the Egyptian initiatives that have been launched to support the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The ministry said it has begun to update the Egypt 2030 Vision in response to the economic, social, political and climate challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed domestically, regionally, and globally, the Minister of Planning Hala El-Said said in a statement on Monday, according to Ahram Online.
El-Said added that Egypt is committed to achieving the national SDGs and meeting its international obligations.
She said Egypt's national sustainable development agenda has become the cornerstone of the country and that the agenda can be tailored to accommodate updates and set effective partnerships with development partners.
Egypt has launched several initiatives that helped the country withstand the havoc of the pandemic, according to El-Said.
Head of the Sustainable Development at the Planning Ministry Hwaida Barakat said that regarding the first SDG that focuses on the Egyptian citizen's life, Egypt has launched initiatives before the outbreak of the virus that helped face the coronavirus repercussions, including “Decent Life” which provides job opportunities in the medium-size and small projects in the neediest areas, in addition to the state’s efforts to demolish the slums.
Other initiatives were launched to counter the COVID-19 implications, including “Egypt will Pass”, kickstarted by the Long Live Egypt Fund to support daily labourers and the irregular workforce.
Egypt also saw the launch of a number of civil society initiatives towards the same end.
The report also highlighted the initiatives in education, healthcare, digital infrastructure, culture and basic needs including housing, electricity, wastes management, water and sanitation.