Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen 

The “Integrated and Sustainable Housing and Community Development Programme in Egypt”, provided access to basic services and livelihoods for the population living in most deprived areas, in seven different Governorates in Egypt.   

A few month ago, Egypt hosted the Global Urban Forum where many of you present here today discussed how to address challenges of unplanned urban neighbourhoods.  In Egypt, these areas, the unplanned urban neighbourhoods as we call them are hosting 40% of the national population. This is where the focus on improving living conditions and economic perspectives, should be, especially now that climate change is kicking in very heavily in these areas. 

Together a lot has been achieved. In the past 10 years, the EU has invested more than EUR 130 million in urban development in Egypt, and has mobilised EUR 125 million of investment to provide loans to SMEs.  Over 12 million residents of unplanned urban areas have benefitted – this is not everybody but a big portion of residents and I believe it is very important the EU continues to champion our support, as one of few partners. 

What is more important in life than seeing happy children in their renovated schools and new playgrounds, youth engaged in sports and cultural activities, patients and medical staff operating in rehabilitated health centres, people with better access to water and wastewater, and children and women walking in upgraded lightened streets. The upgrade of basic services is also coupled with support to micro and small enterprises, one of the backbones of local development. 

There is still a lot to be done and today I can announce that the EU plans to fund a new programme on community development of EUR 39.5 million: the decision was approved in 2024, and we are working jointly with the authorities and our partners to have the action ready to start its implementation phase as soon as possible. 

This new programme is the result of a fruitful dialogue, with the institutions, local authorities, civil society, and residents’ representatives. A truly participatory intervention: local communication identify and decide on the priorities of intervention.  We are ready to keep up our support and to work in partnership with all stakeholders: 

First, the Egyptian line institutions, with whom the European Union has established a long-lasting cooperation, enshrined in our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. 

The presence here today of three Ministers shows the importance of working together on synergies, in particular in urban development with multi-sector challenges and opportunities. I would like to mention the General Organisation for Physical Planning, part of the Ministry of Housing, and the Urban Development Fund, directly in charge of urban planning and one of our long-standing partners.

Let me mention the fundamental role of the local administration, in particular the Governors and Governorates, who have been, and will continue to be, essential players in any community development programme. 

My heartfelt thanks go to the vibrant civil society organisations, as essential actors in the neighbourhoods and in our programmes. They participate in the local planning processes and are active as service providers.  

I would like to honour all unplanned areas’ residents and communities who participate with a lot of enthusiasm and vitality.

Finally yet importantly, I want to mention the fundamental contribution of the EIB, the EU Bank, and MSMEDA for their responsibility and efficiency in the implementation of the programme.

Going forward, we keep our finger on the pulse of challenges and are very committed to working together, from the central level to the neighbourhoods, aiming at sustainability and a long lasting impact. 

Thank you