Rania A. Al-Mashat

Celebrating International #DayoftheGirl by inviting a university student and volunteer from the Egyptian Red Crescent, to become minister for a day, as part of the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s “Girls in Leadership Roles” initiative.

Across generations, when women take on leadership roles, we pave the way for more women to rise through the ranks. To all our girls, my advice is to invest in your education, have a mentor to talk to, and listen to advice from those with experience, even if at times it sounds irrelevant. Through hard work, you have the power to unlock your own potential.

On my third anniversary as Minister of International Cooperation, December 22/2022, it was quite fitting to talk about the common #globalgoals and #multilateralism with a delegation of Stanford University Graduate School of Business students visiting #Egypt at Abdeen Palace, one of the country’s treasures.

Thanks Radwa Hamed for putting all this together, and for the insightful panel discussion you also moderated with my colleagues Art D'Égypte’s founder Nadine Abdel Ghaffar and Microsoft country GM Mirna Arif.

Here’s a new initiative related to generalizing the 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 in schools; a protocol between the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Education.

We aim to spread tourism awareness and teach kids from a young age how to properly deal with tourists through lessons embedded into the primary schools' curricula. With the tourism sector representing 15 percent of Egypt’s GDP, we want to spread awareness and ethics of how to deal with people visiting Egypt. The signed protocol will be translated into material for the curricula taught at schools, teaching young kids about preservation of #Egypt’s tourism and heritage areas, discouraging from negative behaviors towards tourists, and encouraging positive values.

This will to help achieve our overarching goal “At least one Individual from each Egyptian Household works either directly or indirectly in the Tourism Sector”.

The dynamic President H.E. Katalin Novak breaks several records, being the first female and youngest president of Hungary. It was an absolute pleasure accompanying her this week during her visit to #Egypt and exchanging experiences and views.

Highlights included meetings with H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Head of the Egyptian parliament Dr. Hanafy Ali El-Gebali, Head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros, a ride on the Hungarian train between Cairo & Giza, and visits to a Hungarian excavation site in Luxor.

The relationship between our two countries is strategic and diverse, including in the areas of energy, health, transport, training, antiquities, among others. I’m honored to head the Egyptian-Hungarian Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation with Peter Szijjarto.

من دواعي سروري أن ارافق السيدة كاتالين نوفاك أول رئيسة للمجر، والأصغر في تولي المنصب وذلك خلال زيارتها لمصر، حيث تبادلنا الخبرات والرؤى. لقد كانت زيارة مليئة بالأحداث الهامة على رأسها لقاء السيد الرئيس عبدالفتاح السيسي، كما التقت المستشار حنفي الجبالي رئيس مجلس النواب، والبابا تواضروس بابا الإسكندرية وبطريرك الكرازة المرقسية. كما تضمنت الزيارة تفقد عربات السكك الحديد بمحطة مصر، وزيارة أحد مواقع التنقيب عن الأثار بالأقصر.

العلاقة بين مصر والمجر استراتيجية وتضم العديد من أوجه التعاون في مجالات الطاقة والصحة والنقل والآثار، ومن خلال اللجنة المشتركة التي أشرُف برئاستها مع وزير الخارجية والتجارة المجري، نعمل على مزيد من التقدم والتطوير في تلك العلاقات، تنفيذاً لتوجيهات القيادة السياسية.

Today on #InternationalWomensDay, I want to celebrate two female economists who have always inspired me, my mentor Dr. Heba Handoussa, and the icon, renowned economist Dr. Minouche Shafik from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

It’s a funny story how things play out, but when Dr. Heba chose me in 1994 as the Economic Research Forum’s first summer intern during my graduating senior year, one of my early tasks was to transcribe a World Bank conference on trade and development where Dr. Minouche was a speaker. Not an easy task without the internet, believe me…Little did I know at the time that all our paths would often cross in different ways professionally.

A salute to every woman who sets an example by working hard, #BreakingTheBias and opening the doors for many others …

#IWD2022 #BreakTheBias

في إطار احتفالات اليوم العالمي للمرأة، أود أن احتفي بخبيرتين ومعلمتين قديرتين، كانتا مصدر إلهام كبير بالنسبة لي في مسيرتي العملية، الدكتورة هبة حندوسة، معلمتي وملهمتي، والقامة الاقتصادية الكبيرة الدكتورة مينوش شفيق، مديرة كلية لندن للاقتصاد.

في هذه الأيام أعود بالذكريات لعام ١٩٩٤، حيث مررت بموقف طريف، عندما اختارتني الدكتورة هبة حندوسة كأول منتدربة في فصل الصيف في منتدى البحوث الاقتصادية في العام الأخير من الدراسة، وكانت أولى التكليفات هي متابعة وتدوين مؤتمر للبنك الدولي حول التجارة والتنمية، حيث كانت د.مينوش شفيق هي المتحدثة. بالطبع لم تكن المهمة سهلة بدون وجود الإنترنت. ولم أكن أدرك في هذا التوقيت أن الحياة ستجمعنا كثيرًا وأننا سنلتقي دائما في حياتنا العملية والمهنية.

تحية تقدير وامتنان لكل امرأة تعمل بشكل جاد وتتحمل الأعباء وتكسر الحواجز لتتيح الفرص لغيرها من السيدات لتحقيق مزيد من النجاح.

Earlier this week; signed a protocol in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly with Minister of Planning, Monitoring & Administrative Reform Dr. Hala El Said to announce further expansion of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) standard statistical framework “Tourism Satellite Accounts” (TSA) in Egypt. TSA is the main tool for the economic measurement of tourism; creates a comprehensive database indicating economic effect of tourism on other economic sectors. This is part of The Institutional Pillar of reform in in the Egypt — Tourism Reform Program (E—TRP), aimed at better formulation of policies through improved data gathering and analysis.

#Egypt is one of the leading countries that has adopted the TSA, and is now expanding and modernizing through more comprehensive surveys and increased sampling. This will include comprehensive data of inbound and outbound tourism, gaining insight and gathering needed information not only to introduce new products in response to changing traveler needs, but also providing predictive modeling analysis to keep up with global trends.

𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆: Bilateral Partnerships for Effective Development Cooperation.

During my 1st official trip to the #US, I conducted wide ranging meetings with #Egypt’s strategic partners to discuss the impact of ongoing projects & the outlook for strengthened cooperation. The US economic engagement has been impactful & in diverse sectors, including petroleum and gas, information & communications technology, agriculture, water desalination, education, health as well as entrepreneurship & economic empowerment of #women. We will work together to further widen the participation across various sectors of development in Egypt as we push forward public private partnerships & promote #US private investments.

I thank Justin Muzinich, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury; Karen Kelley, Deputy Secretary of Commerce; Mike Harvey, USAID Assistant Administrator for the Middle East; Adam Boehler , CEO U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; Kimberly Reed, US EXIM Bank President; Thomas Hardy, Acting Director US Trade & Development Agency; Hal Rogers, US Congressman, Jeff Fortenberry, US Congressman; Paul Salem, President MEI, Greg Lebedev, Chairman CIPE & Gordon Gray, COO CAP, for the candid discussions, constructive dialogue & the very warm welcome to #Washington.

Surrounded by the multitude of innovation and creativity I witnessed at the #GenerationNext entrepreneurial forum, I feel both proud and inspired. From startups covering fintech, e-commerce, nutrition, health, agriculture, and much more, #Egypt has truly positioned itself as a regional center in entrepreneurship. Hosted by the Ministry of International Cooperation and Egypt Ventures, the on-ground event may have come to an end, but the story of Egypt’s dynamic, game-changing, and primarily digital and youth-led entrepreneurial scene, continues. The Government of Egypt is committed to supporting the spark that lights the positive change every startup can bring to the country’s development story.

Lots of love in this picture … with my niece Leila ❤️

Happy #Valentine’s Day to you and all your loved ones 🌹

I participated in the 2019 Choiseul Africa Business Forum in Nice with many influential African & European decision makers, exploring areas of partnership for the benefit of shared growth.

#Egypt’s tourism sector today is the leader in #Africa in terms of highest revenue & country branding. In the session “Leadership in Africa”, I shared the modalities designed and implemented for the sector’s success - developing and executing the tourism policy framework; Egypt — Tourism Reform Program (E—TRP) with collective and collaborative effort with stakeholders from the private sector and the international community to drive impact.

We have also discussed the importance of #GenderEquality and the role leaders have today to recognize, inspire and empower Women in the region.

#Leadership requires authenticity, setting the intention, being present in every moment.

In 2014 and 2015, I was awarded by the Institut Choiseul for International Politics & Geoeconomics: “Economic Leaders for Tomorrow in Africa.”

Rebuild: Resilient Recovery - Pushing the frontiers of Economic Diplomacy with Multi-Stakeholder Platforms

Today, vocabulary related to cooperation, collectivism & collaboration are more relevant than ever... making a difference by bringing everyone together, even if virtually, engaged & motivated, ready to build for #Egypt’s sustainable future.

Since the launch of the Ministry of International Cooperation’s “Global Partnerships for Effective Development Cooperation” Multi-Stakeholder Platform in April 2020, we have organized a number of consultation meetings with line Ministries to provide the priority list of projects that the country needs in the period ahead, across various sectors related to Health, Public Enterprises, Private Sector Engagement in Development, Rural & Agricultural Development, Social Safety Nets & Transportation. The platform also includes all of our multilateral & bilateral development partners to ensure alignment, harmonization & complementarity of development interventions to maximize impact and achieve sustainability.

Going forward, we will continue organizing sectoral multi-stakeholder platforms. Each time more than 100 participants engage, all tuned in, with one objective: harnessing the power of group interaction & discussions to build back better.

With everyone getting ready for #Eid, I'm just looking back on some of the special moments from this year’s #Ramadan events with many, including world-renowned heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub, cabinet colleagues, Egypt’s vibrant private sector, our development partners, ambassadors, mentors, friends & more.

📸 Cherishing these gatherings that blend tradition, shared purpose & connection.

#RamadanMoments #Egypt

أيام رمضان وتجمعاته دائماً ما تكون مميزة، نلتقي فيها بالأصدقاء والشركاء جميعاً. وكان من دواعي سروري لقاء العالم الدكتور مجدي يعقوب جراح القلب العالمي، والعديد من شركاء التنمية والقطاع الخاص في مصر.

📸 أعتز دائماً بتلك اللقاءات التي أصبحت تقليد سنوي يجمع الأصدقاء في لحظات رمضانية رائعة.

Gaining credibility takes time and is anchored in one’s ability to invest consistently in his or her competencies. This is particularly relevant in the ever evolving world we live in today. Don’t take the credibility you enjoy for granted, have the character to understand that.

My interview with Al Arabiya News Channel’s Nadine Hani from the World Economic Forum, Davos.

The 50th #WEF2020 Annual Meeting convenes this year under the theme, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱; a notion very close to #Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation’s mandate and our vision going forward to strengthen #Egypt’s multilateral engagement with development partners, governments, global policy makers, private sector and the civil society to efficiently deliver the 2030 National Agenda, consistent with the United Nations #SDGs aimed at achieving a circular economy.

Building on the momentum of Davos, #Egypt continues working towards strengthening public - private partnerships ushering the concept of “shared value creation” which includes environmental, social and governance, through comprehensive reforms on a sectorial front to deliver on our priorities.

We all have checklists; some are mental notes, and some are written down on planners. In that same nature, there are priorities when it comes to #Egypt’s 2030 Vision and the UN’s #SDGs. June celebrates SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land; the three of which serve as a basis for better livelihoods. As we place them at the top of our to-do list, we are securing a future that is greener through our many wastewater and renewable energy development projects.