Dr. Hala El-Said stresses sustainable development, resource management, and family planning in Egypt’s population strategy

Dr. Hala El-Said Addresses Population Growth and Healthcare Challenges at World Conference

Dr. Hala El-Said, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, participated in the opening session of the World Conference on Population, Health, and Development, held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi from 5 to 8 September 2023. The session, titled “Population Increase and Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities,” focused on the critical global issue of balancing population growth with sustainable development.

In her keynote speech, Dr. El-Said emphasized the looming challenge of global population growth, projecting the world’s population to reach 10 billion by 2050, predominantly in developing countries. She highlighted the resultant strain on vital resources such as food, water, and energy, as well as infrastructure sectors including education and healthcare systems.

Focusing on Egypt, Dr. El-Said noted a sharp rise in population by 25 million over the past decade, which has intensified pressure on natural resources and contributed to a decline in per capita income and savings. She stressed the need for substantial investment in improving Egyptians’ quality of life, particularly through expanded education and healthcare services.

Dr. El-Said further called attention to key population characteristics, advocating for the economic empowerment of women and enhanced family planning services as essential components of national development.

Concluding her address, Dr. El-Said highlighted the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Family, an initiative focused on managing population growth while prioritizing investment in human capital and social development.