Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, has called for large-scale, government-led initiatives to address the country’s growing development challenges, saying the era of small, project-based approaches is over. In an interview in Doha, Qatar, Panova emphasized that her primary role is to guide the UN team in supporting Egypt’s efforts to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted Egypt’s strong commitment to multilateralism as a key factor enabling the UN to work closely with national authorities amid rising global uncertainty, climate risks, and technological disruptions.
“The entire landscape of financing for development is shifting,” Panova said, noting that global official development assistance (ODA) is declining. UN programs in Egypt have faced an $87 million shortfall, affecting support for vulnerable groups including migrants, refugees, women, girls, and children. Initiatives targeting gender-based violence and safe learning spaces for children were among those impacted. To tackle funding constraints, Panova said the UN is exploring innovative mechanisms with the government, such as debt swaps, while stressing that government leadership is crucial for these solutions to succeed.
The UN’s cooperation with Egypt prioritizes social protection. Cash transfer programs currently reach over five million households, linking financial assistance with access to education, employment, health services, and food security. Panova explained that these programs empower beneficiaries to escape poverty, not just provide short-term relief. The UN is also working with the government to establish a national social protection framework that integrates social insurance, assistance programs, employment pathways, and data-driven crisis response. “We need to come together and work at scale under the leadership of the government,” Panova said. Despite shrinking resources and growing complexity, Panova reiterated that sustainable development in Egypt depends on coordinated, large-scale action led by the government.
