Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Rania Al-Mashat, has strongly urged greater Arab economic integration as a crucial strategy to effectively navigate prevailing global challenges. Her call was made during her participation in the annual high-level meetings of Arab financial institutions held in Kuwait City.
Minister Al-Mashat, who also serves as Egypt’s governor at both the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), was part of a prominent Egyptian delegation that included the central bank governor, the finance minister, and the agriculture minister. The assembly brought together finance, economy, and international cooperation ministers from across the Arab world, alongside the heads of key Arab financial institutions.
The comprehensive agenda of the meetings encompassed the boards of governors of the Arab Fund, the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), BADEA, and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID). Discussions also involved the shareholders of the Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, the Bader Fund supervisory board, and the Council of Arab Ministers of Finance. Minister Al-Mashat actively participated in the board meetings of the Arab Fund and BADEA, as well as the shareholders’ meeting of the Guarantee Corporation.
“Arab economic integration represents a strategic pillar in facing the intertwined challenges witnessed by the world and the region,” stated Minister Al-Mashat. She highlighted the substantive discussions centered on the future trajectory of Arab financial and economic cooperation, prospective financial policies, and the critical role of these institutions in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister Al-Mashat further noted the extensive deliberations on stimulating investment flows, bolstering financial sustainability across the region, and reviewing diverse experiences in digital transformation, public debt management, evolving tax landscapes, and ensuring energy security. These discussions were all framed within the overarching objective of achieving the SDGs amidst a complex global environment and shifting international financial dynamics.
Commending the vital role of Arab financial institutions in formulating effective development strategies and providing crucial support to member states, Minister Al-Mashat emphasized the imperative for adopting flexible and innovative models grounded in knowledge exchange and strategic investments that align with sustainable development priorities.
“Egypt has presented a pioneering model in the sound utilization of development financing to implement strategic projects that serve citizens and enhance economic stability,” Minister Al-Mashat asserted, referencing Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy Vision 2030 and its ongoing collaborative efforts with Arab financial institutions.
She underscored the critical need for these institutions to proactively consider prevailing geopolitical shifts and structural transformations within the global economy, including supply chain vulnerabilities, the increasing importance of climate finance, and the accelerating pace of digital transformation. Furthermore, she stressed the significance of coordinated Arab positions on the international stage to effectively influence the global development agenda and contribute to the advancement of the global financial system.
“Encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors and facilitating the movement of trade and intra-Arab investments enhances the ability of countries to face challenges,” Minister Al-Mashat concluded.
The meetings, convened against a backdrop of escalating challenges in food security, energy stability, and financial resilience, primarily focused on strengthening Arab financial systems, expanding innovative financing mechanisms, supporting investments in green and digital transitions, intensifying regional integration efforts, and fortifying partnerships with international institutions. The event also included the prestigious Sheikh Abdlatif Y. Al-Hamad Development Award ceremony, an accolade that Egypt has proudly won for two consecutive years, further highlighting the nation’s commitment to development and regional collaboration.
