International Cooperation Minister Rania el Mashat affirmed that the government gives special importance to the food security issue, especially during this crucial time.
During her participation in the opening session of the Cairo Food Summit held on Monday under the rubric “Investing in Agriculture Efficiency and Sustainability”, the minister added that since 2014, the government has exerted unremitting efforts in the sphere of food security, establishing silos and expanding agricultural areas.
The session took place under the auspices of the ministries of international cooperation, trade and industry, agriculture and land reclamation, and supply and internal trade.
The session also witnessed the participation of Supply and Internal Trade Minister Ali el Moselhi, Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister El Sayed el Quseir, and Italian Ambassador to Egypt Michele Quaroni.
During the session, moderated by Secretary-General of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) Alaa Ezz, Mashat said that her ministry is working with development partners to meet the national goals of the Egyptian state and attain integration between the national efforts and contributions by international partners.
She added that last year, the ministry coordinated with several development partners, including the World Bank (WB) and the African Development Bank, to provide emergency soft funds to support food security in light of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
The minister also drew attention to the Egypt Country Platform for Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy program (NWFE). According to her, the NWFE program includes 9 projects that represent a priority for the Egyptian state in the intertwined water, food, and energy sectors, including mitigation and adaptation, with investments worth approximately $15 Bn to support implementation with one main energy project, five projects in food security and agriculture and 3 projects in irrigation and water.
Mashat indicated that the program aims to intensify adaptation efforts and support the local communities’ flexibility in dealing with climate change.
