Under the patronage of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation, officially launched the second follow-up report on the National Platform for the “NWFE” (National Water, Food, and Energy) program. The event, which highlights the integration of water, food, and energy projects, was attended by senior government officials and international development partners.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Al-Mashat provided an overview of the significant progress Egypt has made in implementing the “NWFE” program, a key initiative launched during Egypt’s presidency of COP27. She noted that the follow-up report, issued for the second consecutive year, underscores Egypt’s commitment to transparency and effective governance in addressing climate change. The report tracks the achievements of the program over the past year and outlines future steps to ensure continued momentum.
“The climate finance gap continues to widen, and developing countries, especially those vulnerable to climate-related disasters, require significant investment to tackle climate change,” Dr. Al-Mashat stated. “Here in Egypt, we are committed to innovative solutions that bridge the gap between sustainable development and climate action.”
Dr. Al-Mashat further pointed out that developing countries need an additional $366 billion annually to adapt to climate change. She emphasized that Africa alone will require $2.7 trillion by 2030—around $400 billion per year—and stressed the urgent need for increased private sector involvement to close this gap through green and sustainable investments.
As part of Egypt’s strategy to integrate climate action into national development plans, Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted two key initiatives launched during Egypt’s COP27 presidency: the “Sharm El Sheikh Guide to Fair Finance” and the “National Platform – NWFE Program.” These initiatives aim to provide practical frameworks to transition from climate pledges to real implementation. The Sharm El Sheikh Guide focuses on promoting fair finance and establishing clear roles for governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to attract green finance and investments.
“The National Platform for the ‘NWFE’ program represents a multi-stakeholder approach rooted in principles of state ownership, shared responsibility, and transparency. These principles, endorsed by the G20, have led to international recommendations to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to climate action,” Dr. Al-Mashat said.
Dr. Al-Mashat also emphasized the importance of governance and transparency in international partnerships, noting that these principles are core to Egypt’s economic diplomacy. In line with this commitment, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development launched the first follow-up report, which reviewed one year of joint work with various stakeholders in implementing the “NWFE” program across water, food, energy, and sustainable transport sectors. Today, the second report was launched to continue tracking progress and ensure that all parties stay aligned toward achieving the program’s objectives.
The National Platform for the “NWFE” program includes nine key projects in water, food, and energy sectors, which are part of Egypt’s National Climate Change Strategy. The estimated total investment for these projects is around $14.7 billion, in addition to initiatives within the sustainable transport sector. Through collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and other partners, the Ministry is mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms, including debt swaps, grants, concessional financing, and private sector investment facilitation to implement these projects.
The minister extended her gratitude to Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly for his ongoing support for the “NWFE” platform and acknowledged the contributions of key ministers, including the Ministers of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Industry and Transport, Water Resources and Irrigation, Agriculture, and Housing. She also expressed appreciation to the technical teams from national agencies who have worked tirelessly on the platform’s technical qualification stages.
International partners were also recognized for their crucial support. Dr. Al-Mashat thanked the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and other partners for their continued assistance in supporting Egypt’s efforts to fulfill its climate commitments.
In his address, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly expressed his pride in the successful launch of the second follow-up report and commended the collaboration between Egypt’s government and international development partners in advancing the program’s objectives. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to sustainable solutions that address the growing climate change challenges.
The event also featured a recorded message from Mr. Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), who highlighted the importance of initiatives like “NWFE” in helping developing countries strengthen their ability to tackle climate change while ensuring sustainable development.
In conclusion, the launch of the second follow-up report underscores Egypt’s continued leadership in addressing climate change. The “NWFE” program is playing a vital role in providing practical solutions for the country’s sustainable development, offering a model that can be replicated in other developing nations and emerging economies. Through ongoing collaboration with international partners, Egypt is committed to achieving its climate goals and contributing to a more sustainable global future.
