As part of efforts to deepen international partnerships in alignment with national development priorities, Egypt's Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Sherif Farouk, met with Elena Panova, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, to explore enhanced cooperation with UN agencies and programmes across key sectors including food security, digital transformation, and food quality. The meeting was also attended by Alessandra Bellizzi, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, and Santiago Rodríguez Goicoechea, UN Economist. Representing the ministry were Deputy Minister Walid Abu El-Magd and Doaa Nabil, Assistant to the Head of the Internal Trade Development Authority. Discussions covered the ministry's strategic priorities for the coming period and a review of existing cooperation programmes with UN bodies. Both sides explored ways to expand and integrate these efforts in support of Egypt's long-term development strategies. Current collaboration includes initiatives led by the World Food Programme (WFP), such as fortifying baladi bread with essential micronutrients, providing modern baking equipment, implementing workforce training programmes, and enhancing the capabilities of technical laboratories. Parallel cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) focuses on training staff at the Holding Company for Silos, involving international experts, facilitating knowledge exchange with neighbouring countries, and leveraging Egypt's experience in silo management to improve supply chain efficiency. Looking to the future, both parties discussed opportunities to boost food security through diversifying import sources and developing early warning systems. In the area of digital transformation, plans are underway to develop a unified digital card system and enhance transparency and traceability across supply chains. Further discussions also focused on improving food quality by scaling up the fortified baladi bread initiative nationwide and modernizing central laboratories. Efforts to upgrade storage and logistics infrastructure remain central, including the establishment of modern strategic warehouses and improved field silos aimed at reducing food losses and raising overall efficiency. Egypt's role as a regional food hub was also emphasized, with plans to develop a wheat logistics center and expand grain milling and storage capabilities. The ministry further emphasized the importance of deepening its participation in UN-led initiatives, advancing capacity building through modern training programs, and integrating green technologies into the food subsidy system. Key projects such as upgrading government supply outlets were also highlighted as national priorities. Minister Farouk expressed his appreciation for the longstanding partnership with the United Nations and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to continued collaboration that delivers measurable impact for citizens across the country.
