Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, officially inaugurated the Hub for Advanced Policy Innovation for the Environment (HAPIE), a strategic initiative aimed at improving access to clean air and pure water in Egypt.
Egypt sets up HAPIE Hub to advance environmental policy innovation. The launch of HAPIE marks a significant step in Egypt’s commitment to sustainable development, climate action, and evidence-based policymaking. The initiative extends the work of the Egyptian Impact Lab, a joint collaboration between the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) for the Middle East and North Africa, hosted at the American University in Cairo (AUC), and the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation.
In her opening address, Dr. Al-Mashat underscored the importance of data-driven policies and innovative financing mechanisms to address the country’s most pressing environmental challenges. She emphasized that Egypt’s development must be guided by principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience, in line with global trends and the country’s long-term economic goals.
Vision for Sustainable Economic Growth
Dr. Al-Mashat articulated the Ministry’s vision for economic development, which is built around three core pillars:
- Formulating evidence-based policies to guide decisions in key sectors, ensuring they are both responsive and forward-looking.
- Building a future-ready economy, grounded in macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, and a just transition to a green economy.
- Enhancing resource allocation by leveraging both domestic and international financing through initiatives such as Egypt’s Integrated National Financing Strategy for Development (E-INFS), a collaborative effort with the United Nations.
These initiatives are not only a reflection of Egypt’s leadership in global climate action but also a testament to the country’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth that addresses the twin challenges of climate change and social inequality.
Egypt’s Leadership in Global Climate Action
The Minister further highlighted Egypt’s leadership role in global climate policy, particularly in the context of the COP27 summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that Egypt’s presidency of COP27 showcased the country’s ability to lead on climate-smart policymaking and secure climate finance for vulnerable nations. One of the key outcomes of COP27 was the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund, which aims to provide financial support to countries most affected by climate-induced disasters.
Another notable achievement at COP27 was the launch of the Nexus on Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) platform, which has introduced an innovative model for financing climate action. This platform links development needs with financing mechanisms and supports integrated projects in critical areas such as:
- Water security through sustainable resource management and infrastructure development.
- Food security by improving agricultural resilience and promoting efficient resource use.
- Clean energy through the expansion of renewable energy and enhanced energy efficiency.
HAPIE: A Collaborative Platform for Policy Innovation
HAPIE will build on the success of the Egyptian Impact Lab, which has played a pivotal role in advancing evidence-based policymaking in sectors such as health and education. This new hub will bring together experts, practitioners, and policymakers to collaborate on developing innovative solutions to Egypt’s environmental challenges, particularly in the fields of energy and climate change.
The hub is designed to facilitate cross-sector collaboration and foster strategic innovations that will enhance Egypt’s capacity to address the urgent need for climate resilience and sustainable development. In doing so, HAPIE aims to position Egypt as a regional leader in environmental policy innovation, while also contributing to broader global efforts to combat climate change.
Advancing climate-smart policies
The launch of HAPIE underscores Egypt’s commitment to advancing climate-smart policies and sustainable development through collaborative partnerships and evidence-driven solutions. With the support of key stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, HAPIE will play a critical role in shaping the future of environmental policy in Egypt and beyond, ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of global efforts to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
