Cairo, 16 August 2022 (TDI); The Minister of International Development of Canada, Harjit Sajjan announced on Thursday, 11 August that he will be visiting Egypt. The announcement came after the Minister concluded his trip to Jordan.
This will also be the Minister’s first trip to Egypt since taking the office as Minister of International Development.
As my visit to Jordan comes to a close, the team @CanadaDev and I now head to Egypt. Looking forward to collaborating with our Egyptian counterparts on #foodsecurity, climate change, and advancing gender equality. pic.twitter.com/kLlSl20Xh7
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) August 11, 2022
According to the minister, the purpose of his visit to Egypt is to strengthen both nations’ collaboration on food security, climate change, and advancing gender equality.
Meeting with Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation:
Minister Harjit met the Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, Rania al Mashat on Tuesday. During their meeting, the two ministers discussed strengthening cooperation between the two states.
We met again, but in Cairo this week–our countries will continue working closely together to advance our shared priorities for #foodsecurity, climate change, and gender equality. Especially with COP27 on the horizon, right here in Egypt. pic.twitter.com/dhj61E7A4B
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) August 16, 2022
Furthermore, the two ministers affirmed that they will continue to work together on issues of food security, climate change, and gender equality. Additionally, the two ministers also discussed the upcoming 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27 to be held in November in Egypt.
The Minister of International Development underscored the strong partnership between Canada and Egypt. He also expressed keenness to implement more programs to accelerate progress on sustainable development.
He also praised the efforts made by the Ministry of International Cooperation to coordinate all actions related to the matter of food security.
Discussion on various projects
Consequently, Minister Rania invited Canada’s Minister of International Development to attend the second edition of the Egypt-International Cooperation Forum. The Conference will take place on September 7-9 at the New Administrative Capital.
It will include the participation of ministers from African states to bolster climate action and unify the African voice on adaptation finance ahead of the COP27 conference.
د.رانيا المشاط وزيرة التعاون الدولي تبحث مع وزير التنمية الدولية الكندي السيد هارجت ساجان (@HarjitSajjan) التعاون المشترك في مجالات #تمكين_المرأة و #الأمن_الغذائي وتمويل #المناخ 🇪🇬🇨🇦. https://t.co/22WtvxjzYK #مصر pic.twitter.com/ojohL7w1Xi
— Ministry of International Cooperation 🇪🇬 (@MOICEgypt) August 16, 2022
Furthermore, the ministers highlighted the ongoing projects between the two sides in empowering women and catalyzing gender-smart finance. Minister Raina also discussed the launching of the “Closing the Gender Gap Accelerator” action plan.
It is noteworthy that Egypt is the first country in Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa to launch this public-private collaboration model supported by the World Economic Forum
Meeting with Women Entrepreneurs:
On Friday, the Minister of International Development of Canada met women entrepreneurs and job seekers from the Rabeha program in the Beheira governorate. Rabeha program is the framework of the UN Joint Programme on Women’s Economic Empowerment for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Egypt.
The Honourable @HarjitSajjan, Minister of Int. Development of Canada joins an interactive discussion with #women entrepreneurs & job seekers from Rabeha prog. They discussed opportunities & challenges they face to grow their business using climate-smart & sustainable approaches. pic.twitter.com/tQgKZ2hxN8
— UN Women Egypt (@unwomenegypt) August 13, 2022
During his meeting, he was joined by Hesham Amna, Governor of Beheira and the Canadian Ambassador to Egypt, Louis Dumas. Moreover, Gielan El Messiri, the Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Egypt also joined him along with other officials.
During the visit, an interactive discussion was held with women job seekers and entrepreneurs to discuss the opportunities and challenges they face on different levels.
Furthermore, entrepreneurs that received technical support and coaching showcased their products and services too.
🚨Press Release: During his first visit to #Egypt, Minister of International Development of Canada meets with women entrepreneurs & job seekers from ‘Rabeha’ programme.
For more information, kindly visit: https://t.co/R8euB9vVdg @CanEmbEgypt @CanadaDev @ncwegypt @UNIDOEgypt
— UN Women Egypt (@unwomenegypt) August 15, 2022
Visit to Abbasiya hospital:
Minister Harjit also visited the Abbasiya hospital in Cairo. He noted that the hospital was covering for more than a fifth of Egypt populations’ screening needs.
Abbasiya hospital has an important role here in Cairo with screening needs for more than a fifth of Egypt’s population. Thanks to funding from @CanadaDev and help from our partner @UNDP, this hospital is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art CT Scanning Equipment. pic.twitter.com/bJaF9XYeq3
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) August 13, 2022
The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the working of the hospital. He also thanked Canada and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for funding the hospital. With their aid, the hospital has been equipped with the latest CT Scanning Machinery.
Meeting with Foreign Minister of Egypt:
the Minister of International Development of Canada also met with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry. During their meeting, Minister Harjit expressed his condolences to the people who died in the incident of church fire in Giza.
Today I met with Egyptian Foreign Minister #Sameh_Shoukry in Cairo, where I expressed my profound condolences for those injured and perished in Giza yesterday during a fire at a Coptic church. My thoughts are with the families involved. pic.twitter.com/WhHeWIGXeZ
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) August 14, 2022
On 14 August 2022, a fire broke out at the Abu Sefein Church, a Coptic church in the Imbaba neighborhood of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt.
The fire took the lives of many and left many injured.
Also Read: Arab States express solidarity with Egypt
