Egypt on Tuesday launched its first National Strategy for Youth and Sports for 2025–2032, a comprehensive plan aimed at developing the two sectors to serve over 61% of the country's population, the Ministry of Youth and Sports said. The strategy was launched under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, in partnership with United Nations organisations in Egypt, the cabinet's Information and Decision Support Centre, and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport. The launch coincided with International Youth Day. In a recorded message, Prime Minister Madbouly said the state is determined to turn the strategy into a "tangible reality" through careful monitoring, integration between entities, and investment in the capabilities of its youth, whom he described as "the true wealth of Egypt." Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhy, said that work on the strategy began in 2019 and overcame challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and global changes. He stated it was the first national strategy of its kind for the youth and sports sectors in Egypt. "The strategy represents a major step in developing the youth and sports sectors in cooperation with civil society institutions, to serve more than 61% of the population," Sobhy said during the launch event. He explained that the plan is based on four main pillars: the integrated upbringing and development of youth; promoting sports and physical activity as a lifestyle; enhancing athletic competition and achieving leadership; and improving governance in the youth and sports sectors to boost their contribution to the economy and sustainable development. "The main goal of the national strategy is the optimal investment in the energies and potentials of Egyptian youth, turning them into a driving force for sustainable development," Sobhy added. In her own recorded message, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, said that despite global challenges, the government has set ambitious development goals under its action programme and Egypt's Vision 2030, with investment in youth energies being a strategic necessity for achieving comprehensive and sustainable economic development. The launch event was attended by the Minister of Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif, as well as former ministers, heads of authorities, ambassadors, university presidents, public figures, and representatives of civil society, the private sector, and youth and sports federations and clubs.
