During the OECD Committee on External Relations Meeting
■ Minister of Planning and Economic Development Affirms the Depth of the Partnership Between Egypt and the OECD to Support Economic Reforms and Enhance Governance
■ Dr. Ahmed Rostom:
• Cooperation with the OECD is based on a shared commitment to supporting evidence-based policies and promoting institutional development.
• Planning for the “second phase” of the Country Programme will focus on governance, competitiveness, and strengthening the role of the private sector.
• International praise for the role of Egypt’s Country Programme in supporting structural reforms and establishing international best practices.
Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, participated in the OECD Committee on External Relations meeting to review areas of joint cooperation between Egypt and the organization.
During his remarks, Dr. Rostom emphasized the depth of cooperation between Egypt and the OECD, reflecting a long-standing and evolving strategic partnership built on a shared commitment to supporting evidence-based policies, enhancing institutional development, and achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The Minister of Planning and Economic Development explained that the pivotal starting point for cooperation between Egypt and the organization dates back to 2005, when Egypt became a founding partner in the organization's Middle East and North Africa initiative, thus establishing a sustainable institutional framework for dialogue and the exchange of expertise. He noted that this cooperation has witnessed continuous development, reflecting Egypt's growing engagement with the organization's standards and frameworks.
Dr. Ahmed Rostom highlighted the economic reform path adopted by Egypt since 2016, which is based on "Egypt Vision 2030" and the National Economic Reform Program, with the aim of restoring macroeconomic stability, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding the social safety net.
*Country Program Achievements and Launch of 10 Strategic Reports*
Dr. Ahmed Rostom addressed the closing conference of the Country Program, held in Cairo on May 4th, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and the Secretary-General of the organization. He explained that the event showcased the achievements of five years of close cooperation and the launch of 10 strategic reports prepared by the organization in priority areas, including innovation, investment, productivity, green growth, governance, and women's economic empowerment. These reports represent a significant asset that supports the policymaking process.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development emphasized that the Country Program played a pivotal role in strengthening institutional capacities, improving coordination among government entities, and embedding the organization's standards within national policymaking mechanisms, thus ensuring the program's long-term sustainability.
Regarding monitoring mechanisms, Rostom explained that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development developed a dedicated electronic platform to support the Country Program. This platform allows project managers in national entities to update progress rates and review various aspects of cooperation, thereby enhancing the utilization of shared themes and improving the efficiency of managing cooperation with the organization. He added that the impact of the first phase of the program extended regionally and internationally, with Egypt assuming the co-chairmanship of the OECD's Middle East and North Africa Initiative on "Governance and Competitiveness for Development" for the period 2026–2030 in May 2025, as well as the co-chairmanship of the Women's Economic Empowerment Forum. This reflects Egypt's growing role as an active partner in regional and international dialogue and policymaking.
In preparation for the second phase of the country program, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development revealed that the Ministry is leading extensive consultations with national stakeholders and the OECD to determine the priorities for the next phase. These priorities will be more focused and targeted, deepening structural reforms in the areas of competitiveness, governance, and private sector development, while also enhancing the integration of OECD standards and tools within national systems. This will support the sustainability of institutional reform and improve the efficiency of public policies.
Dr. [Name] concluded... Ahmed Rostom emphasized that the next phase of cooperation will focus on deepening structural reforms, enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, and strengthening the capacity of state institutions to adopt more efficient and sustainable policies in accordance with international standards. This will support Egypt's development priorities and enhance the sustainability of the partnership with the organization.
The Egyptian Country Programme received widespread praise from representatives of the organization's member states, particularly those from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Attendees commended the programme's role in supporting and accelerating economic reforms, aligning them with best practices and international standards.
