The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development recently announced the inclusion of the "Be an Ambassador" initiative for sustainable development on the "Initiatives to Accelerate the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

UN Recognizes Egypt’s “Be an Ambassador” Initiative as a Key Contributor to Global Sustainable Development Goals

Cairo, Egypt – The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has announced the international recognition of its flagship youth program, "Be an Ambassador" for Sustainable Development, which has now been officially included on the "Initiatives to Accelerate the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" platform by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

This milestone, facilitated through collaboration between the Ministry’s Sustainable Development Unit, the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD), and the Assistant Minister for Sustainable Development Affairs, reflects Egypt's growing global role in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

Empowering Youth at the Heart of Egypt Vision 2030

Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, emphasized that the initiative’s inclusion on the UN platform marks a major achievement and reinforces the state’s commitment to empowering youth and investing in human capital as part of Egypt Vision 2030.

“El-Said noted that this step underscores the importance of educating young people on both the challenges and the opportunities tied to achieving the SDGs, while preparing them for future leadership roles in the development ecosystem.”

Training Future Leaders in Sustainability

Launched in 2020, the “Be an Ambassador” initiative targets Egyptian youth between the ages of 18 and 35, aiming to build national capacity in sustainable development thinking and practices. The initiative offers structured training courses in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental partners.

Topics covered in the program include:

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Green economy and circular economy

• Environmental sustainability and climate change

• Role of institutions and communities in development

• Governance and public participation

Growing Reach and Specialized Programs

Dr. Sherifa Sherif, Executive Director of the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, stated that the first cohort of the program included approximately 700 graduates representing all Egyptian governorates. Many of these graduates have moved on to become part of the "Climate Ambassadors" initiative, in preparation for Egypt’s hosting of COP27.

The second round of the program began in mid-July and is set to conclude by the end of September. A specialized cohort for media professionals is currently in development, with plans to expand the initiative’s scope to include other professional groups in the future.

Global Recognition, Local Impact

The inclusion of “Be an Ambassador” on the UN SDG Acceleration Platform demonstrates the growing global acknowledgment of Egypt’s youth-driven approach to sustainable development. It also aligns with Egypt’s strategic objectives to integrate education, innovation, and civic engagement into its national development agenda.

This achievement not only highlights the government’s efforts to institutionalize sustainability education but also paves the way for replicating the initiative as a model across the region and globally.