Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Discusses Progress of Egypt’s “Shabab Balad” Initiative with CEO of Generation Unlimited.. and Explores Strengthening Ties with the OECD

On the sidelines of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Annual Meetings…

 

Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Discusses Progress of Egypt’s “Shabab Balad” Initiative with CEO of Generation Unlimited.. and Explores Strengthening Ties with the OECD

 

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Egypt’s Governor to the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), met with Dr. Kevin Frey, CEO of the UN initiative Generation Unlimited (GenU), and Ms. Julia Nielson, Deputy Director for Trade and Agriculture at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to explore opportunities for enhancing cooperation. These meetings took place on the sidelines of the 2025 IsDB Annual Meetings and Board of Governors in Algeria.

 

In H.E.’s meeting with the CEO of the UN initiative Generation Unlimited, the two sides discussed strengthening partnership within the framework of the Egyptian version of the initiative, launched under the title "Shabab Balad". This initiative aligns with national efforts to develop youth skills, enhance employment opportunities, and encourage entrepreneurship. This will be achieved through various mechanisms, including the "Shabab Balad" Academy, which will be launched soon. The academy aims to develop youth skills and provide them with knowledge and expertise, serving as an effective mechanism to qualify Egyptian youth for the job market by refining their skills and connecting them with employment opportunities.

 

 

During her meeting with the OECD Director of Trade and Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reviewed the frameworks of collaboration between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the OECD. This is particularly relevant since the launch of the OECD's Country Program for Egypt in 2021, which is based on five main pillars: inclusive economic growth, innovation, governance, statistics, and sustainable development. The program includes 35 projects that align with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the National Structural Reform Program.

 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the country partnership between Egypt and the OECD has become a strategic tool to support national reforms, the National Structural Reform Program, and capacity building. This fosters the exchange of policies and best practices in the region.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat pointed out that key areas of cooperation with the OECD include trade integration and value chains, through participation in the "Trade in Value Added" initiative. Egypt is keen to strengthen its position in regional and global value chains and exchange expertise with African countries to improve trade integration.