Galvanizing action for the SDGs, how UN Country Team and Private Sector are leveraging partnerships for Sustainable Development

Cairo, Egypt – The first of its kind, a session brought together a wide range of private sector representatives, along with the UN Country Team (UNCT) to collectively strategize and enhance cooperation towards accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Egypt. Held as part of the UNCT’s annual retreat, the event marked a significant step in leveraging partnerships to deliver on sustainable development, with six key transitions in focus.

Highlighting the UN position as a convening power, the session saw the active participation of 16 private sector leaders, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of sustainability and inclusive growth. Among the distinguished attendees were Mirna Arif, Country Manager, Microsoft, Hesham El-Naggar, Vice Chairman of the Board, Daltex, and Eng. Mohamed Zaki El-Sewedy, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI).

These business leaders, along with others, engaged in insightful and thought-provoking discussions on how their respective business entities can contribute to and benefit from sustainable development initiatives.

Accelerating the SDGs through key transitions and enabling actions

Central to the discussions were the six transitions identified as pivotal for Egypt’s sustainable development. These include: food systems, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

With only 15 percent of the SDGs on track, the participants emphasized the need for innovative and collaborative approaches to these transitions. In particular, the private sector entities and the UN heads of agencies brainstormed on localizing these transitions and identifying enabling actions to collectively advance priority transitions. 

Private sector insights and commitments 

Private sector representatives shared valuable insights and experiences, highlighting the potential for impactful partnerships.

What the UN in Egypt started today will be the beginning of a journey, noted Mirna Aref of Microsoft. She stressed that bringing together UN agencies and the private sector to brainstorm was the essence of inclusion and an important step towards making an impact together.

For his part, Hesham El-Naggar of Daltex, pointed out to a growing trend among private companies that focuses on the dual goals of profitability and community support, advocating for partnerships that prioritize sustainability alongside profitability.

The gender perspective was also taken into account, with FEI Chairman Mohamed Zaki El-Sewedy referring to plans to integrate more women into the labor force, especially in rural areas, not as a corporate social responsibility program but as a mutual benefit.

Call to Action: Strengthening UN-Private Sector Partnerships

The session concluded with a call to action from the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Elena Panova, who stressed the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration. "This is the first time we have had such a collective conversation between the UN and the private sector. This needs to continue. We should now work on developing solutions to support Egypt’s sustainable development," she said. 

The participants collectively acknowledged the need for ongoing commitment and the creation of platforms to prioritize, coordinate, and integrate strengthened UN-private sector partnerships. The focus will be on supporting SDGs, particularly in the areas of decent jobs, education, and food systems.