The National Initiative for Smart Green Projects Thematic Day: Youth, Children, Education, and Skills Day Session Title: “Engaging Youth in Localizing Sustainability through the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects”

Excellencies, colleagues, fellow panellists, young Egyptian entrepreneurs.

It is a privilege to join you today.

I first offer my congratulations to the Government of Egypt and the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, an inspiring and timely initiative.

I thank the National Coordinator, His Excellency, Ambassador Badr, for your leadership in making this programme a reality.

And my special congratulations to all the entrepreneurs gathered from across Egypt.

Over the last two years Egypt has shown genuine climate leadership. As the COP Presidency transitions to the UAE, Egypt has much to be proud of.

This National Initiative for Smart and Green Projects is a prime example.

It represents the SDGs in action, speaking directly to their principles and promise. The UN in Egypt is proud to have been a partner in both its phases.

I am also pleased that we have several of the 18 winners from across Egypt here today. I am most interested in hearing from you.

In my short remarks I will make three points.

First, young people are our climate problem solvers.

They are sources of climate action today, and they will be our leaders tomorrow.

You can see this by walking around COP28 today—youth day. We see everywhere discussions led by young people, we hear new ideas driven by youth, and we find inspiration from the calls for action from these entrepreneurs, activists, and change makers.

We know that young people will be the ones most affected by climate change. What this initiative also gets right is its focus on youth as a source of private sector solutions. It taps their energy, their innovative ways of thinking, and their passion.

Second, effective climate action needs everyone working together.

This is not debatable. We need our leaders this week to deliver agreements to change our current course, cut emissions and realize a just transition.

We also need our communities, national and local governments, development partners and the private sector to come together to take direct action to affect people’s lives.

Here again, the NISGP is a model.

Young people are sources of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. But they need support.

The NISGP brings together in partnership national and local government, development partners like the UN, and private companies.

It gives young entrepreneurs the space to launch their businesses, grow and scale them, adopt technologies from around the world, and access new partnerships and business networks.

Today is a celebration of this collaboration.

Finally, a more sustainable future needs local level action—including private sector.

The NISGP takes a bottom-up approach from across the whole of Egypt. What we will hear today are localised climate solutions, developed by local entrepreneurs, and speaking to the need of local communities.

Small businesses in Egypt are the engines of economic development, and they are also drivers of change for making Egypt more sustainable, and for pushing the transition to a greener economy.

I will close by offering again my congratulations to our young Egyptian entrepreneurs. I wish you every success as you embark on this exciting journey.

The UN in Egypt will be by your side, to together deliver on the promise of the SDGs.

Thank you.