The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation launched the second edition of its reports on localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, which took place under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, also marked the announcement of the winners of the third edition of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects.
Key attendees included Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Yasmin Fouad, Minister of Environment, Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, and Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the UN Special Envoy for Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Empowering Local Governments to Drive SDGs
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the reports on localizing SDGs serve as a crucial planning tool for monitoring and measuring progress towards the achievement of SDGs at the governorate level. She highlighted how the reports enhance the effectiveness of local financing strategies and accelerate the implementation of development goals across Egypt.
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Mashat revealed that the Ministry is developing an interactive digital platform that will allow real-time access to SDG indicators at the governorate level. This platform will offer a comprehensive overview of Egypt’s progress on SDGs, presenting performance data for each governorate and offering a national perspective on the achievements and gaps in sustainability.
“The SDG platform will provide governors and policymakers with updated data regularly, helping to base decisions on solid evidence and allowing for the effective localization of sustainable development goals,” Dr. Al-Mashat explained. The platform is also designed to enhance the capacity of local governments to implement sustainability initiatives and track the progress of the SDGs.
Building on the Success of the First Edition
The second edition of the SDG localization reports builds on the first, which was launched in 2021 in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The new report introduces several updates and improvements, including the coverage of 50 indicators, up from 32 in the first edition. This expansion of indicators was made possible with the support of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Egyptian Center for Public Opinion Research (Baseera).
Dr. Mona Essam, Assistant Minister of Planning for Sustainable Development, explained that the SDG localization framework involves the active participation of stakeholders and links local planning with financial planning. It also aims to raise awareness and implement evidence-based policies at the local level. “The localization of SDGs is essential for ensuring that development efforts are aligned with the specific needs of each governorate while driving equitable and sustainable growth across the country,” she added.
A Strategic Approach to Sustainable Development
The reports also serve as a strategic tool for highlighting both achievements and development gaps across different regions. By using available data to analyze the performance of each governorate, the reports provide a basis for designing targeted policies and programs that address local needs and foster inclusive development. “This helps accelerate SDG implementation and ensures that no one is left behind,” Dr. Essam said.
For the second edition, the methodology for ranking governorates was consistent with the first edition, allowing for easy comparison of progress across regions. This approach enables governors to evaluate their performance on various SDG indicators, track progress over time, and identify areas for improvement.
SDG Localization Efforts
The Ministry of Planning is committed to continuing the process of localizing the SDGs across Egypt, with an emphasis on inclusivity and equality in the development process. The future reports will further refine the data and methodology to ensure that Egypt remains on track to meet its national and international sustainability commitments.
