Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and His Excellency Ambassador Jürgen Schultz, German Ambassador to Egypt, presided over the signing of the agreement for the second phase of the “Egyptian-German Center for Jobs, Migration, and Reintegration.” The agreement was formally signed by Ambassador Nabil Habashi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Migration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs, and Dr. Regina Koalman, Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Egypt. The signing ceremony brought together Ms. Ann Kovid, Head of Social Integration, Governance, and Migration at the European Union Delegation to Egypt.
In her address, Al-Mashat underscored that the Egyptian-German Center for Jobs, Migration, and Reintegration is a cornerstone of the robust cooperation between Egypt, the European Union, and Germany. She emphasized that the project represents a significant advancement in achieving mutual developmental objectives, reinforcing bilateral and multilateral ties in the process.
The Minister also highlighted the longstanding partnership with Germany, which extends beyond bilateral cooperation to include debt-for-development swaps. Notably, an agreement was signed in late 2024 to exchange debts totaling €29 million, aimed at bolstering resilience among crisis-affected populations and the host communities.
Founded in 2020, the center is the first of its kind in Egypt and has proven instrumental in supporting Egyptian youth by connecting them with employment and training opportunities. This initiative not only helps curb irregular migration but also facilitates the reintegration of returning Egyptians into society by offering comprehensive social and economic services to help them resume their lives with dignity and productivity.
Dr. Al-Mashat further noted that the project aligns with Egypt’s broader human capital development goals, which are central to the nation’s Vision 2030. By providing specialized training programs in key sectors, the project aims to equip young Egyptians with the skills required to thrive in the labor market. This initiative is consistent with the government’s broader strategy to empower youth, enhance their capabilities, and prepare them for success in their professional endeavors.
The Egyptian government’s approach also includes addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration. By building the capacities of Egyptian youth and extending support to local communities, this project represents a pivotal step toward sustainable development. The initiative will attract additional investments in youth development, equipping that young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the demands of dynamic sectors such as education, healthcare, technology, and innovation.
Minister Al-Mashat emphasized that this initiative is an exemplary model of productive cooperation between Egypt, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the European Union. She also highlighted several other programs aimed at reducing irregular migration, including the joint migration program between Egypt, the United Nations, and the European Union. This program, implemented by the UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), operates under the framework of the “Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees.”
Additionally, the Minister touched on the government’s comprehensive strategies to address irregular migration, including the “National Strategy to Combat Irregular Migration” for the 2016-2026 period, developed in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This strategy, formulated in tandem with Egypt’s Vision 2030, plays a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing the government’s capacity to manage migration issues effectively. The strategy seeks to harness migration’s potential benefits by expanding economic and social opportunities for migrants, while ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations in Egypt.
In this context, the Minister also referenced the launch of the second edition of the “National Survey on International Migration for Households in Egypt,” a collaborative effort between the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), IOM, and the European Union. This survey aims to deepen the understanding of international migration patterns and assess their impact on various segments of Egyptian society.
Minister Al-Mashat reaffirmed Egypt’s steadfast commitment to advancing human development, underpinned by strategic collaborations with international stakeholders, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union, the United States, Germany, China, and other multilateral and bilateral partners.
