Egypt signed Monday the Strategic Framework Agreement for the Partnership with the United Nations 2018-2022, with a total value of $1.2 billion. The Strategic Framework Agreement is based on four axes: comprehensive economic development, social justice, women's empowerment, and sustainable management of natural resources. The agreement was signed by Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Richard Dictus. The agreement aims to support the Egyptian government on its quest towards achieving national development plans in Egypt, a statement released by the Ministry of Investment read. Nasr said that the overall economic development of the agreement would be based on achieving the agreed goals of comprehensive and sustainable economic development, job creation, and training. This will be achieved through more effective use of public resources and incentives, support for entrepreneurship, creation of an environment conducive to sustainable investment, and increased access of young people and women to employment as well as the expansion of the SME sector, Nasr added. The minister clarified that the area of social justice will support national efforts to control population growth and ensure access to public services for all, including social protection and health, nutrition and education services. As for women's empowerment, Nasr said that the agreement aims at increasing women's capacity and participation in leadership positions and in many other economic activities, in addition to their access to education and employment. "We have launched today a new chapter in the rich UN history in Egypt. We welcome this achievement and look forward to its successful implementation for the benefit of the people of this country, one of the global leaders of the Sustainable Development agenda," Richard Dictus said. Dictus added that throughout the implementation of this partnership, the UN family in Egypt is fully committed to make use of the combined knowledge, expertise and experience of its members to contribute to giving shape to a much more sustainable future for Egypt and its people.
