Speech by the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Elena Panova Launching of the Egypt Refugee and Resilience Response Plan (ERRRP)

Your Excellency, Ambassador Wael Badawi, Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister

Honorable Ambassadors, Distinguished Partners and dear UN Colleagues, 

It is a great honour to be with you today to launch the Egypt Refugee and Resilience Response Plan 2025.

The E-triple-R P is the result of the longstanding vision and leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations system, led by UNHCR and UNDP, in response to the plight of those forced to flee and impacted host communities. 

The Plan we launch today is also a reflection of Egypt’s Commitment to the Global Compact for Refugees. 

Allow me to reflect on two points today: first, on refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt; second, on the efforts of the Government in this area; and third, on the value added of the Egypt Refugee and Resilience Response Plan we launch today.

On the first point: The history of people transiting in and out of Egypt is not new. The fertile banks of the Nile attracted many to settle here, and Egypt has continuously welcomed foreigners as their guests. Egypt's strategic geographic location makes it both a transit hub and a destination for those escaping dire circumstances, but also for those looking for a chance for a better life.

However, the interplay of complex factors, including ongoing conflicts in neighboring countries, economic instability, and environmental challenges, means that Egypt today is experiencing an influx of unprecedented numbers of refugees and people on the move. Egypt is the largest host of Sudanese who fled the conflict, with nearly 1.5 million Sudanese already in Egypt, and close to one million refugees and asylum-seekers officially registered with UNHCR from over 62 nationalities. 

While we are specifically focusing on asylum seekers and refugees today, we should not forget the large community of migrants in Egypt, many of whom are also forced to be on the move, due to conflict, economic and climate crises in their respective countries.

His Excellency, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, at the UNGA last year noted that Egypt has become the third-largest recipient of asylum applications, with over 10 million migrants and refugees.

This brings me to my second point. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, we need to recognize the important contribution that Egypt makes at its own expense opening its social services to migrants and refugees, both in terms of protection, education and health care.

The national systems, which are already under strain due to the recent economic crisis, now face the additional pressure of having to serve a growing number of people. Difficulties to cope with the overwhelming pressures leads to prolonged waiting periods for obtaining valid residency, which further delays access to critical services and undermines the protection and care of those who are most vulnerable.

This is the moment to commend the Government of Egypt for adopting the National Asylum Law, hoping that by taking over the responsibility for the asylum seekers/refugees on Egyptian soil, the Government will address these and many other challenges by establishing thefirst national asylum framework.

Your excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen, today I want to emphasize the vital importance of sharing the responsibility of upholding the rights of the refugees and asylum seekers. As one of the primary host countries in the region, Egypt stands at a crossroads in its response, facing unprecedented challenges brought on by global displacement.

The responsibility for caring for and safeguarding people on the move cannot rest solely on the shoulders of Egypt; it demands a collective response from the international community, and also the recognition of the need to scale-up support to NGOs and grass-roots partners. These organizations deeply understand and effectively respond to the challenges and needs of refugees and asylum seekers.

Without any doubt, with the solidarity and the support of the international community, Egypt has the potential to further establish itself as a global champion in the successful integration of migrants and refugees, and particularly in safeguarding the rights of those seeking international protection. 

Distinguished participants, having outlined Egypt’s efforts and commitments, let me now turn to my third point, which is on the Egypt Refugee and Resilience Response Plan 2025.

This is the first time Egypt has developed and endorsed a comprehensive national response plan for all refugees, asylum-seekers, impacted host communities and third-country nationals, technically co-led by UNHCR and UNDP, in collaboration with the entire UN system and in close partnership with a wide array of local, national and international partners.

The Plan represents not only a collective operational commitment, but also a shared moral imperative: to ensure that no one is left behind, as per the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The E–triple–R P is firmly embedded within broader UN-Government cooperation, including the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023–27, and the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees, as an integral part of the wider National Integrated Refugees and Migrants architecture and one of the mechanisms, solely focusing on refugees and host communities.

By championing the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, the Plan lays the groundwork for long-term resilience and social cohesion, ensuring that humanitarian responses are integrated into Egypt’s broader sustainable development objectives.

Looking ahead, these responses must remain dynamic and adaptive. As displacement becomes increasingly protracted and complex, we must rethink how we work — not just in delivering assistance, but in building systems that are inclusive, responsive, and resilient.

This means strengthening national ownership, empowering local actors, and ensuring that refugees and host communities alike have a seat at the table. It means streamlining coordination, aligning humanitarian and development interventions, and investing in scalable models that can endure beyond immediate crises.

In closing, let me return to the essence of what brings us here today. The E–triple–R P is more than a plan.

It is a shared commitment—grounded in dignity, guided by solidarity, and fulfilled through collective action.

I urge all partners gathered here today to fully support this effort to collaboratively advance the strategic objectives of the Refugee and Resilience Response Plan, complementing Egypt’s ongoing efforts toward enhanced resilience and sustainable development.

I thank you.