Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat is going on a three-day visit to the UK, where she will hold key meetings to accelerate climate action and strengthen Egypt's economic, technical, and climate cooperation with international financial institutions and development partners. On the occasion of International Women's Day, the minister will hold a fireside chat with EBRD Director of Gender and Economic Inclusion Barbara Rambousek and EBRD President Odile Renaud Basso to discuss the importance of gender equality and measures to be taken for an inclusive future. Al-Mashat is expected to give a presentation about Egypt's notable achievements in several sectors including transitioning to a green economy, financial inclusion, and the private sector. These meetings coincide with the launch of the new country strategy between Egypt and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (ERBD). The launching ceremony took place last Saturday, with the participation of a variety of stakeholders from the government, the EBRD, the private sector, representatives of parliament, and civil society organisations. Furthermore, to achieve the expected results for Africa at the upcoming Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 27), Al-Mashat is participating in a high-level event by the World Economic Forum titled 'Friends of Climate Action', which brings together a unique, informal, and open group of multi-sector, multi-stakeholder public and private non-state entities acting collectively to shape the climate action agenda. The event will include the participation of Gim Huay Neo, the Managing Director of the Centre for Nature and Climate at the World Economic Forum, and Alok Sharma, the President of the COP 26. Al-Mashat will also hold key meetings with officials from the International Finance Corporation, including Sérgio Pimenta — the Managing Director, Executive Vice President, and Regional Vice President for Africa at the IFC — to discuss bolstering development cooperation and enhancing the role of the private sector in Egypt's economy. Concluding her visit on Thursday, the Minister will hold meetings with a number of government officials, including Lord Ahmed — Minister for South and Central Asia, North Africa, UN, and the Commonwealth — Diana Layfield, the Chair of British International Finance; and Louis Taylor, the CEO of UK Export Finance.
