Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, affirmed that youth are at the heart of the nation’s development strategy during a board meeting for the United Nations’ “Generation Unlimited” initiative in New York. The Minister showcased Egypt’s progress in youth empowerment, presenting the country’s national version of the global initiative as a successful model.
“Shabab Balad”: A National Model for Economic Empowerment
In her address, Dr. Al-Mashat detailed the success of the “Shabab Balad” initiative, which was launched in 2022 as Egypt’s national platform for Generation Unlimited. She explained that the initiative has evolved from a project into an established national model integrated into economic growth strategies. It now serves as a multi-stakeholder hub, bringing together the private sector, civil society, and youth as decision-makers to ensure sustainable and inclusive outcomes in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Prioritizing Investment in Human Capital
The Minister stressed that investing in human capital, particularly youth, is the cornerstone of achieving sustainable economic growth and building resilience. She noted that 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the historic partnership between Egypt and the United Nations, a collaboration reflecting a development model focused on empowering people. This commitment includes expanding opportunities for youth, especially in digital skills, AI, and green jobs.
Innovative Solutions for Development Financing
Dr. Al-Mashat also addressed the global challenges in development finance, pointing to the annual SDG funding gap of over $4 trillion. She emphasized that tackling this requires innovative solutions beyond traditional mechanisms. In this context, she highlighted that Egypt has adopted a national strategy for integrated financing and has developed modern tools such as blended finance and debt swaps as effective and scalable mechanisms to close development financing gaps.
About The “Shabab Balad” Initiative
“Shabab Balad” is Egypt’s national platform for the UN’s global “Generation Unlimited” initiative. It aims to connect Egyptian youth with opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development through a unique partnership model that brings together the government, private sector, development partners, and youth themselves to achieve positive and lasting impact.
Source: EgyptInnovate
