Egypt’s Governor at the World Bank, during her meeting with the President of the World Bank Group at the G20 meetings in Brazil, stated that the merging of the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of International Cooperation will enhance the partnership with the World Bank in monitoring the implementation of projects and programs, both in terms of economic sectors and geographical distribution across governorates.

Human development, industry localization, and increasing private sector investments are top priorities for future partnership with the World Bank.

Discussions regarding the continuation of the Development Policy Financing (DPF) program to support structural reforms that stimulate the private sector, in collaboration with development partners.

Diagnostic reports on priority economic sectors are among the key areas of cooperation between Egypt and the World Bank.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plays a pivotal role in providing innovative financing that enables the private sector to drive development efforts and enhance macroeconomic stability.

World Bank’s reform efforts will impact global financial system restructuring and provide innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for developing and emerging countries.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and Egypt’s Governor at the World Bank Group, met with Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, during the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This meeting is the first following her new appointment. The meeting involved discussions on various aspects of the partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the World Bank Group.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership with the World Bank, which is one of the largest multilateral development banks globally. She praised the Bank’s role through concessional financing, technical support, and advisory services in achieving the country’s developmental goals.

The President of the World Bank Group congratulated the Minister on her new roles and affirmed the Bank’s commitment to enhancing partnership with Egypt in alignment with the new government’s priorities for development efforts across various sectors.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the merger of the Ministries of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation will enhance collaboration with the World Bank Group by improving coordination with different ministries and governmental bodies on programs and projects executed with the Bank, thereby achieving integration and strengthening the management of cooperation across various levels. This will also maximize the developmental impact of projects and programs at both sectoral and geographic levels.

Priorities for the Coming Phase

The Minister discussed the priorities for the upcoming phase of cooperation with the World Bank, which align with the government’s program priorities, including advancing human capital, localizing industry, and encouraging local and foreign investments by focusing on productive and export sectors to enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy and support macroeconomic stability.

The meeting reviewed the joint strategies being implemented between the government and the World Bank in the areas of human development and industry localization, under the 2023-2027 partnership framework. Current activities include assessing the state of foreign direct investment in Egypt and developing the national industry strategy. These studies are crucial for advancing government priorities to attract more foreign direct investment and localize industry across various sectors.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat highlighted the alignment of the strategic partnership areas with the government’s program priorities and Egypt’s Vision 2030, which aims to enhance private sector growth, create job opportunities, and invest in human capital through social protection systems, health, and education, while supporting resilience through innovative solutions in climate action.

 *Structural Reforms and Empowering the Private Sector*

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat commended the partnership with the World Bank in implementing the Development Policy Financing (DPF) program, which supports the government’s efforts in executing structural reforms that stimulate the private sector.

The World Bank approved the first tranche of the program amounting to $700 million in June, in collaboration with other development partners, including the European Union. This program focuses on building fiscal resilience, enhancing economic competitiveness, improving the business environment, and supporting green transformation.

The meeting also discussed the next phase of the DPF program, emphasizing the government’s commitment to continuing structural reforms that facilitate private sector involvement and integrating with development partners in executing the matrix of structural reforms.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat noted the importance of diagnostic and analytical reports as key areas of cooperation between Egypt and the World Bank to provide clear economic insights and current situation analysis. This includes the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), the Egypt Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD), the 2020 Private Sector Diagnostic Report for Egypt, and the 2022 Public Expenditure Review for Human Development Sectors in Egypt. The World Bank also launched a demographic report in collaboration with the Egyptian government in 2022.

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

The meeting also discussed cooperation mechanisms between the government and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to provide concessional financing and technical support exceeding $9 billion across various developmental sectors, making Egypt one of the largest operations countries for IFC.

The Minister highlighted IFC’s active role in financing private sector projects in energy under the “NUCA” program, as well as its partnership with the Sovereign Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to enhance private sector participation in the desalination program in Egypt.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed the importance of IFC’s role in providing innovative financing that enables the private sector to play a larger role in development efforts, enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.

Furthermore, the meeting addressed the goals of the G20 Development Ministerial meetings and the group’s efforts to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals, including the launch of the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which the World Bank has announced its participation in, along with several other international institutions.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat confirmed that the World Bank’s development efforts would impact the reform of the global financial structure and provide innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for developing and emerging countries.

In March, the World Bank Group announced its intention to provide $6 billion in financing over the next three years, with $3 billion allocated to support the government’s economic reform program and $3 billion to empower the private sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

As Somalia continues rebuilding after decades of war, political strife and humanitarian crises, its needs are many.

These needs extend into the country’s health sector, which falls far below the minimum global expectation of doctor/patient ratios.

According to the United Nations health agency, the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently only eight skilled professionals – such as doctors, nurses and midwives – for every 10,000 people in Somalia. The minimum recommended by WHO to achieve the world’s Sustainable Development Goals’ health targets is 44.5 professionals for every 10,000 people.

In addition, one out of every 25 women dies due to causes related to pregnancy, and one out of every ten Somali children dies under the age of five.

For some health workers, the need for healthcare could mean a lucrative career in a busy urban clinic or a regional hospital.

Not so for Mohamed Hassan Mohamud, also known by the nickname ‘Arab.’

For Mr. Mohamud, his attention is fully on the health needs of the thousands of women and girls at the Jowle Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, located on the outskirts of Garowe, the capital of Somalia’s northern Federal Member State of Puntland.

“The Jowle IDP camp hosts a large number of people, and one or two health facilities cannot easily cover this vast need, but we strive to provide daily healthcare to the needy, particularly the most vulnerable, such as mothers, children, and the elderly,” he says.

Beginnings

Unlike the southern parts of Somalia, Puntland is relatively safer than other parts of the country. But it still plays host to a considerable number of people displaced by conflict and humanitarian crises from other regions.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are some 500,000 internally displaced people in Puntland – of these, some 50,000 of them are in the Jowle IDP Camp, located on the outskirts of Garowe.

The camp has a clinic that provides health and nutrition services to residents. Initially established by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM), the clinic is now managed by a non-governmental organisation, Save the Children International.

Mr. Mohamud started at the camp in 2013, when he was 24 years old and before even starting his tertiary education. Serving as a volunteer, he started as a community health worker.

“I had a tremendous desire to help marginalized people living in underdeveloped and distant villages in Somalia. My knowledge in the field of public health enabled me reach out to those I wanted to aid,” he adds.

Mr. Mohamud was born in 1989 in the country’s capital, Mogadishu. The growing tensions there, which soon led to the outbreak of the civil war, caused his family to return to Puntland – from where his family hailed and where he subsequently grew up in Garowe.

There he graduated the Gambool Secondary School, finishing in 2008, before later going on to earn a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Bosaso University in 2018.

The Jowle IDP Camp’s sole health facility offers basic services such as vaccinations, treatment for communicable diseases and mother-and-child care, as well as an outpatient therapeutic feeding programme for severely malnourished children, and a targeted supplementary feeding programme for young children.

“Our services are wide-ranging, and they include providing healthcare and nutrition to children under the age of five and pregnant mothers,” Mr. Mohamud notes.

“Patient records and follow-ups at this facility are under my supervision,” he continues. “For those needing immediate medical care, I act as a bridge between the feeding centre and the supporting organisations. I also train health workers and advocate on their behalf, particularly during illness outbreaks.”

Personal development

The past decade of work at the IDP camp has not meant that Mr. Mohamud has rested on his laurels – far from it.

Over the years, the father of four’s responsibilities have grown. He now oversees the entire health clinic, managing a team of a dozen employees who deal with an average of 100 patients on a daily basis.

But he is determined to keep growing in his chosen field, and is putting in the effort now for his own long-term development, as well as long-term benefit of the displaced people he cares for. Mr. Mohamud is currently enrolled in a Master of Science in Healthcare Management programme at UNICAF University, which he hopes to complete in 2025.

It is not always easy balancing work, study and family responsibilities, but Mr. Mohamud is determined.

“It is difficult for a young person like myself, who lives in a city with a pretty high quality of life, and has a wife and children, to work for an extended period of time separated from my family. Fortunately, my family fiercely have supported me while I have dedicated my time and energy to serving the disadvantaged population of the Jowle IDP camp,” he says.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, his work and personal life have merged to a certain degree.

“During my time with this community, they became like a part of my family. We got to know each other, and I became their advocate,” Mr. Mohamud says.

“I always feel welcome the moment I step foot in the camp for the first day of work. Instead of treating me like an unfamiliar doctor, the residents of this camp seem more like family,” he says. “Health and nutrition support requests began pouring in as soon as word gets out that we are open. All these wonderful things have made me proud, but I do feel bad that I can’t provide all the services they need.”

On top of his work and studies, his area of work has been changing.

“My primary responsibility is to provide health and nutrition to the Jowle IDP community, but things evolve in this sort of setting, and now I also raise awareness about other issues, including domestic violence, rape, early marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM),” Mr. Mohamud says.

“We face daily problems that men impose on girls,” he adds. “For example, I remember how surprised I was to learn that underage marriage is common in this camp, with girls as young as 13 forced to marry with their guardians’ permission.”

Mr. Mohamud’s perspective on the plight of the camp’s residents – as well as those in other camps around Somalia – has evolved.

“Under both domestic and international law, internally displaced people have the same rights and freedoms as other citizens of their country, with full equality,” he says. “So, asides from my health specialty, I have also been advocating for IDPs to fully integrate with host communities to enjoy the same rights.” 

As for the long-term, Mr. Mohamud hopes to see IDPs in Puntland fully integrate with their local communities and receive basic social services such as health care, education and security.

“Many efforts are already ongoing to integrate these persons directly into the host community in Garowe, but there is still a long way to go. Their current living conditions are marked by inadequate and poor housing, and insufficient education,” he says.

National challenge

According to UNHCR, the UN entity responsible for aiding displaced people, there are 3.8 million individuals currently displaced in Somalia due to conflict, insecurity and the effects of climate change such as cyclical droughts and floods.

Along with other UN agencies, funds and programmes, UNHCR is working to ensure that the voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees is sustainable and that returnees are effectively integrated into their communities.

Efforts by Somalis like Mr. Mohamud are appreciated – and necessary.

“He is one of the most energetic and effective young health workers in the Jowle IDP camp. The camp considers him a son! He remains with us, offers support, and advocates for us. I don’t want to single him out for praise, but his performance definitely deserves it,” says Abdirashid Garane Awl, one of the Jowle IDP Camp’s managers.

“I recall one significant event that is related to him: three months ago, there was an outbreak of diarrhea in which some members of the community perished,” Mr. Awl continues. “In response, he performed an excellent job of mobilizing health personnel and informed the Ministry of Health – his response saved numerous lives.”

In 2022, following a panel’s report into the matter, the UN Secretary-General’s so-called Action Agenda on Internal Displacement was issued, reflecting the growing importance of the matter. 

The Action Agenda has three overarching goals: helping IDPs find a durable solution to their displacement, better prevention of new displacement crises from emerging, and ensuring that those facing displacement receive effective protection and assistance. It sets out 31 commitments by the UN system to better resolve, prevent and address internal displacement crises.

According to the United Nations, the three goals are inextricably linked as no solution is sustainable if another crisis is looming, no assistance will be sufficient if underlying drivers of displacement remain unresolved, and prevention cannot succeed if past crises have not been addressed.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement, Robert Piper, visited Somalia in 2023 – the country is one of the 16 UN Member States selected to pilot the Action Agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nayhan, UAE President, and as part of the continuous humanitarian efforts to support all countries, the UAE has today dispatched a plane carrying aid to southern Ethiopia in the wake of landslides caused by heavy rainfall, which resulted in loss of life and severe damage to property. 

The UAE relief endeavors aim to provide urgent assistance to those impacted by the natural disaster.

Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, affirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to support all countries during crises and disasters. Her Excellency highlighted that these contributions underline the country’s keenness to enhance humanitarian and relief efforts worldwide. 

Furthermore, Her Excellency stated that this response reflects the UAE’s humanitarian values and its constant endeavors that seek to extend a helping hand to impacted communities across the globe.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

On the momentous occasion of Liberia’s 177th Independence Anniversary, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has delivered what considered a powerful address at occasion marking the official celebrations held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia on today.

The occasion was graced by esteemed guests, including the President of Ghana His Excellency Nana Dankwa Akufo Addo and representatives of other Foreign Heads of State, as well as numerous dignitaries, leaders, and citizens.

In his address, President Boakai emphasized the significance of honoring the sacrifices of Liberia’s founding fathers, mothers, and democracy champions, acknowledging their efforts to shape a culture of freedom and democracy celebrated globally.

The President expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the nation during this pivotal period and called upon all Liberians to unite and embrace the true values of freedom, working together to provide opportunities for every citizen to lead dignified lives.

Highlighting the potential of Liberia and the responsibility of the current generation to pursue progress, President Boakai underscored the need to move away from historical struggles and towards building a more inclusive nation.

He pledged his personal commitment and that of his government to facilitate collaboration across political, economic, and social divides to bring about positive change for all Liberians, emphasizing the importance of a unified vision for a new Liberia.

President Boakai’s address pivoted a call to action for all citizens to consider the long-lasting impact of their decisions, emphasizing this year’s theme for the independence celebrations, “Building a New Liberia for All Liberians.”

The President expressed the hope that his remarks resonated deeply, urging a collective effort to address historical challenges and inequalities, and setting on a course for a brighter future that includes every Liberian.

As the nation reverently marked its independence, the President wished that his words served as a unifying force, galvanizing citizens and leaders towards a shared vision of progress, unity, and inclusivity in building a new Liberia.

The address encapsulated the spirit of the occasion, emphasizing the immense potential for positive change and the enduring legacy that this generation can shape for future generations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.