Egypt reinforced its commitment to sustainable development and women’s economic empowerment through a series of high-level meetings held on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Dr. Sahar Nasr, Deputy Chair of the Senate Committee on Financial, Economic, and Investment Affairs and Secretary-General of Egypt’s Zakat and Charity House, met with senior United Nations officials to discuss expanding international partnerships that support inclusive development, poverty reduction, and gender equality.
Strengthening Parliamentary Cooperation for the Sustainable Development Goals
Dr. Nasr began her engagements with Susan Brown, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Their discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the remaining years leading up to the 2030 Agenda deadline.
She emphasized the important role played by Egypt’s Senate, particularly the Committee on Financial, Economic, and Investment Affairs, in shaping legislation and policies that encourage sustainable investment while expanding economic opportunities for women.
The meeting also explored potential cooperation between the United Nations Development Programme and Egypt’s Zakat and Charity House, with particular attention given to leveraging charitable financing mechanisms to advance poverty reduction, support vulnerable families, improve children’s education, and strengthen women’s economic participation.
Expanding Cooperation with UN Women
In a separate bilateral meeting, Dr. Nasr met with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women for Normative Support, UN System Coordination, and Programme Results.
The discussions highlighted the Zakat and Charity House’s initiatives designed to promote women’s economic and social empowerment, while also reviewing parliamentary efforts to strengthen legislation that advances women’s rights and opportunities across Egypt.
Dr. Nasr reaffirmed that women’s empowerment and their full participation in economic life remain central pillars of the institution’s development strategy. She expressed Egypt’s interest in expanding collaboration with UN Women through knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships that support female-headed households and enhance women’s social and economic protection.
International Recognition of Egypt’s Development Approach
For her part, Ms. Gumbonzvanda praised Dr. Nasr’s leadership in both legislative and development fields, commending Egypt’s continued efforts to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into national planning and public policy.
She also reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Egypt’s Senate and the Zakat and Charity House in support of inclusive, sustainable development and gender-responsive policymaking.
Advancing Egypt’s Vision for Inclusive Growth
The meetings underscore Egypt’s ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration with international development partners while advancing national priorities that place women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainable economic growth at the center of development policy.
By combining legislative action, strategic partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms, Egypt continues to position women’s economic participation as a key driver of sustainable development and long-term national prosperity.
