Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, met with Chitose Noguchi, the newly appointed Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The visit marks Noguchi’s first official engagement with the Ministry following her appointment, succeeding Alessandro Fracassetti, who served in the position for the past four years.
During the meeting, Dr. Morsy extended a warm welcome to Ms. Noguchi and expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between the Ministry of Social Solidarity and UNDP. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation in key development areas, particularly projects aimed at institutional strengthening, human capacity development, and integrated social policies.
Reinforcing a Strategic Partnership
The Ministry and UNDP have developed a robust collaboration over recent years, centered around shared priorities such as social protection, economic inclusion, and local development. One of the key initiatives highlighted was the project to enhance institutional and human capacities within the Ministry—an effort that has contributed significantly to the modernization of Egypt’s social support systems.
Dr. Morsy affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing joint development goals under the framework of Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Focus on Inclusive and Sustainable Development
Ms. Noguchi expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the Ministry and reiterated UNDP’s dedication to strengthening its support for Egypt’s social development agenda. The meeting also emphasized the importance of scaling up joint programs that target vulnerable groups, promote gender equality, and enhance the resilience of local communities.
The two sides explored several strategic areas for future collaboration aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of Egypt’s social development efforts. Key priorities discussed included the expansion of community-based services and social safety nets, to ensure broader access to essential support for vulnerable populations. Both parties also emphasized the importance of advancing women’s economic empowerment through targeted initiatives that promote financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.
In line with Egypt’s digital transformation agenda, the discussions highlighted the need to modernize social welfare systems by leveraging technology to improve service delivery and outreach. Additionally, strengthening data systems for evidence-based policymaking was identified as a critical component in designing responsive and impactful social programs.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the UNDP. From the Ministry, Dina El-Sirfy, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and Agreements, and Amira Taj El-Din, Director General of International Relations and Agreements, took part in the discussions. Representing UNDP were Ghammar Deeb, Deputy Resident Representative, and Dr. Heba Wafa, Assistant Resident Representative and Director of Social Inclusion and Local Development Programs.
This engagement underscores the strategic importance of Egypt–UNDP cooperation in building an inclusive, resilient, and rights-based social protection system. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration and achieving tangible outcomes that support Egypt’s national development priorities.
