Closure Event of the EU Support to Egypt’s Population Strategy Project

BRUSSELS, 21 December 2023 / PRN Africa / -- Dear Minister Nevine Khabbag, dear Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar

Senior representatives of the Egyptian Government,

Ms Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Country Representative,

Colleagues and Partners,

Today’s closure of the ‘EU Support to the National Population Strategy’ Project is a milestone in our cooperation on demographic issues. But it is also a beginning for more support to come.

Achieving priorities on population is a significantly contributing to the economic growth and sustainable development in any country.

With an EU contribution of €27 million, over the past 5 years, the ‘EU Support to the National Population Strategy’ has been a key element in strengthening the partnership between the European Union and Egypt.

Implemented in close cooperation with Egyptian partners, with the support of UNFPA, the project is a real success story.

The success of the project is reflected in the recent official statistics that show positive trends in key demographics, perceptions, and attitudes that directly relate to the population and development priorities.

I had the pleasure to attend several activities of the project, including field visits and numerous events, and I am convinced that one of its key success factors is the national ownership and commitment by a broad range of government and civil society partners.

The outcomes of the project are tangible, especially its contribution to strengthened and sustainable capacities to provide health and family planning care services and to increase a sense of responsibility and awareness.

The project represents a model for engaging with the youth, the civil society, religious leaders, and the local community.

In September 2023, Egypt hosted the ‘Global Congress on Population and Development’, exactly three decades after the launch of the ‘Cairo Declaration on Population and Development’. It created a momentum to rejuvenate the agenda on population and development.

This EU funded project we are closing today supported the process of updating Egypt’s ‘National Population Strategy’ (2023-30) which was announced in the Global Congress.

Egypt’s ‘National Strategy on Population and Development’ as well as the policy recommendations of the Global Congress represent important contributions and guidance to future efforts, including the upcoming cooperation between the European Union and Egypt.

I am pleased to announce that the European Commission has agreed to finance a new programme in support of Egypt’s ‘National Population Strategy’ (2023-30) (with a contribution of EUR 12 million). The journey continues as this new programme will scale-up our joint efforts and it will support Egypt’s vision in the National Population Strategy (2023-30).

The ‘EU Support to the National Population Strategy’ is one element in a mix of projects that support the national priorities of Egypt on population and development. All aligned with Egypt’s National Vision 2030.

Several EU supported projects contribute to Egypt’s efforts to improve the quality of life of its citizens, sustainable development and access to services, education and skills development, social protection, and women empowerment. All fall within a comprehensive approach linking population and sustainable development, and with a great attention to investing in human capital.

For instance,

* The EU and Egypt recently signed the EU support to the Hayah Kareema Project (EU contribution of EUR 50 million, out of which EU 14 million to the health sector).

* Several EU funded projects contributed to women and girls’ empowerment, including the support to Egypt’s National Programme on Financial and Digital Inclusion (Tahweesha), the support to the National Women Citizenship (IDs) initiative.

* Women’s economic empowerment, access to health care services, and youth empowerment and skills development will remain important priorities of the EU future cooperation with Egypt.

The success story of the ‘EU Support to the National Population Strategy in Egypt’ would not have been realised without the orchestrated efforts by all those concerned.

I thank everyone who has been part of these efforts.

A great appreciation to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministries of Health and Population, Planning and Economic Development, Education, Youth and Sports, and Social Solidarity, as well as Gozour and Etijah, our civil society partners.

The UNFPA played a significant role through its specialised expertise and dedicated team. I thank UNFPA for its valuable contribution to this project and for working closely with the European Union in Egypt.

Special thanks to Frederika Meijer, the UNFPA Country Representative for her outstanding commitment and dedication. As she leaves her position and Egypt this week, I take this opportunity to thank her not only for this project but for a our close cooperation on many other endeavours, her drive, great insight and knowledge, and her close cooperation with us and her friendship over the years. I wish her all the best.

Indeed, the efforts to make this project a success story have been very extensive. Hearing more about the project’s approach and outcomes confirm that the success of this project reflects a strong ownership by Egypt and reflects a great attention to engaging with numerous partners.

Reaching out to young women and men and raising awareness about key issues such as gender equality and reproductive health is perhaps one the most distinctive features of the project.

The attention to using a ‘360 degree’ comprehensive approach using multimedia, including social media, contributed to a great momentum for putting population issues under the spotlight. The focus on strengthening sustainable capacities that are essential for providing quality family planning care services is a cornerstone for any future efforts.

The EU-Egypt’s partnership to further support the National Population Strategy will definitely take into consideration all these factors. The support to Egypt’s population and development priorities will remain at the heart of the EU-Egypt’s Partnership Priorities.

Thank you!

Copyright European Union, 1995-2023

SOURCE European External Action

en | boerse | 68015526 |