Egypt′S 2018 Voluntary National Review Egypt′S 2018 Voluntary National Review
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Egypt′s 2018 Voluntary national rEViEw Egypt′s 2018 Voluntary national rEViEw Contents 1. Opening Statement 4 2. Policy-Enabling Environment 6 2.1. Governing Framework 6 2.2. Leaving no one behind as an overarching principle 8 2.3. Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms 13 3. Review Methodology 15 4. Bold Reforms in the Face of Challenges 16 4.1. Egypt›s Economic Reform Program 16 4.2 Mega-projects to Foster Growth 20 5. Progress Towards Goals and Targets 22 SDG 1: No Poverty 23 SDG 2: Good Health and Wellbeing 25 SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing 26 SDG 4: Quality Education 28 SDG 5: Gender Equality 30 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 32 SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 35 SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 38 SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 40 SDG 10: Reduced Inequality 41 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 42 SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 47 SDG 13: Climate Action 49 SDG 14: Life Below Water 51 SDG 15: Life on Land 52 SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions 54 SDG 17: Strengthen Implementation and Partnerships 56 6. Challenges 57 7. Final Word 60 Annexes 62 Egypt Voluntary National Review 2018 3 1. opening statement The Government of Egypt is committed to its fscal resources from programs of direct achieving the Sustainable Development Goals price subsidies, especially in energy, towards (SDGs). This commitment is refected in its better-targeted cash transfer programs, both understanding of the intertwined nature of conditional and unconditional. These cash sustainable development and is embodied in transfer programs have witnessed a substantial the framework of Egypt’s national strategy, increase in the number of benefciaries and “Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt the amount of fnancial support they distribute Vision 2030” (SDS). The strategy refects the since the reforms began in 2016. three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. The plan Government programs in infrastructure, is a national framework that guides and sets particularly those in housing, energy and policies and programs in order to achieve the water, are ensuring that Egypt makes SDGs, as well as other national objectives. The considerable progress towards achieving the SDS is not only a strategy for the Government, SDGs, particularly in the long term. Egypt’s but also a plan for all stakeholders, including the housing sector is rapidly expanding in order private sector, civil society and international to accommodate the needs of an increasing organizations. population and to diffuse the extremely high population densities of major cities. Multiple Given the importance of creating an enabling housing projects are targeting different environment for sustainable development, income groups, especially low-income groups, the Government of Egypt has embarked on a through a large social housing program. The homegrown economic reform program that Government also plans to develop 13 new is supported by the international fnancial cities, guided by principles of sustainability. institutions. The program includes long In addition, Egypt has increased its capacity overdue economic measures to ensure to produce electricity by at least 15 gigawatts, macroeconomic stability, increase social using advanced and effcient technologies. The protection and place Egypt on a high-growth Government has taken major steps to reform trajectory that is inclusive of all classes. These the regulatory framework of its electricity reforms included liberalizing the exchange rate sector, allowing increased private sector regime, consolidating government fnances and participation and an effective regulatory role improving the investment environment. While for the state. For the frst time, the private necessary, some of these measures have had sector is producing renewable energy and an adverse impact on Egyptian households, can compete with the Government to provide which in turn has required an expansion power for industrial and residential usage. in the size and scope of social protection programs. In order not to leave anyone The scarcity of water, and the associated behind, the Government has also redirected regional challenges, is a major driver for the 4 Opening Statement Government to actively implement projects Egypt to advance rapidly in the implementation that ensure effcient use of water resources, of the SDS, its national strategy, and of increased availability of fresh water resources, the 2030 Agenda, with full engagement and improved quality of water. Moreover, the from stakeholders. The role of both the Government, in collaboration with international private sector and civil society is key in the organizations, has expanded its program of realization of these goals. The inclusivity and monitoring water pollution along the Nile. transformability aspects of the 2030 Agenda and its national counterpart necessitate active The economic reform program has, thus far, contributions from both the private sector and achieved its objective of macroeconomic civil society, and given this, the Government of stabilization. It also aims to enhance Egypt is working to capitalize on the positive competitiveness in international markets, synergies between the combined efforts of and to continue to improve the well-being of the Government, the private sector and civil Egyptian citizens. This program will enable society to achieve this ambitious agenda. Egypt Voluntary National Review 2018 5 2. policy-Enabling Environment 2.1 governing Framework Out of Egypt’s commitment to achieving the national strategy, whereby the national sustainable development, the Government strategy acts as the national version of the of Egypt launched its frst-ever sustainable SDGs. development strategy, Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt Vision 2030 (SDS), in February The localization of the SDGs through the 2016. The strategy is aligned with the 17 SDS was adopted by a number of ministries SDGs, as well as the African Agenda 2063, and entities that have developed their own and acts as the governing framework for all medium- and long-term strategies: the National development programs and projects that Strategy for Science and Technology for will be implemented until 2030. The SDS is Sustainable Development 2030 (the Ministry the frst long-term strategy that has been of Higher Education and Scientifc Research); developed in Egypt following a participatory, the Industry and Trade Development Strategy open and transparent approach involving all 2020 (the Ministry of Trade and Industry); relevant stakeholders. Egypt’s Transformation Program 2030 (the Ministry of Education and Technical Education); The launch of the strategy was followed by the Sustainable Energy Strategy 2035 (the the establishment of a national committee, Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy); the National Committee for Monitoring and the Agricultural Sustainable Development the Implementation of the Sustainable Strategy (the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Development Goals, as the result of a prime Reclamation). ministerial decree. The committee falls under the remit of the prime minister’s offce and is In an unprecedented move towards translating composed of representatives of 17 ministries the concept of inclusive sustainable and state entities.1 The committee is mandated development into action, the National Council to act collaboratively to ensure that Egypt is for Women (NCW) has also launched its moving in the right direction towards achieving National Strategy for Women Empowerment sustainable development. The committee 2030. The strategy focuses on empowering also ensures the alignment of the SDGs with women to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development, as well as 1 The Ministry of Social Solidarity, Ministry of promoting gender equality in all felds of life. Environment, Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation, Ministry of Local Development, Ministry Likewise, the National Council for Childhood of Education and Technical Education, Ministry of and Motherhood launched its strategy in April Higher Education and Scientifc Research, Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform, 2018, which aims at promoting the well-being National Council for Women, National Council for of mothers and children. Childhood and Motherhood, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Finance, The governing policy framework outlined Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, above was further reinforced by the Accountability State Authority, National Council for Disability Affairs, and the Cabinet’s Information and establishment of sustainable development Decision Support Center. units and working groups in different ministries 6 Policy-Enabling Environment and entities assigned to act as the focal points geopolitical situation, and the desire to ensure for developing and implementing sustainable a secure and stable economic and business development plans and strategies within their environment conducive to investment and own entities. The units and working groups development. As such, the review process was also facilitate the coordination and monitoring initiated based on the following principles: process, led by the Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform. Reinforcing the multidimensional aspect of sustainable development and its Furthermore, two years since the launch of the interconnected nature. SDS,