The virtual meeting was attended by over 100 participants including leaders and representatives from the private sector and the academic community across the region. Minister Al Mashat highlighted in her speech that the dramatic effects of the pandemic has pushed policymakers, civil society and citizens to search for innovative solutions, which accelerated the implementation of structural reforms on digital transformation, increasing social safety nets, the formalization of the informal labor force and the women empowerment agenda. However, with the ongoing challenges, such as unemployment, inequality and increasing levels of poverty in the region, Al Mashat noted that multilateralism is the best choice for the Middle East’s COVID-19 recovery, labeling years 2020/2021 as the years for “multilateralism” to solve these challenges in a consensual manner, and which could be achieved through political will and leadership that go beyond sectarian divisions. Al Mashat added that the Ministry of International Cooperation has been pushing the frontiers of collaboration through economic diplomacy according to three key principles: multi-stakeholder platforms to engage with development partners, the global partnerships narrative to push forward a shared vision, and ODA SDG mapping to accelerate progress in achieving sustainable development. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Ministry of International Cooperation has been keen on strengthening multilateral engagement through the “Global Partnerships for Effective Development” to effectively deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals and push for a human-centered economy.

Source: Egypt Today September 13, 2020 15:22 UTC