Latest news with #DecentLifeInitiative
Middle East
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// PM: Fourth, fifth generation wars aim to fracture nations' unity
NEW ALAMEIN, July 16 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said the fourth and fifth generation wars aim to fracture a nation's unity, create doubt among citizens about the internal situation, and spread an atmosphere of frustration and despair through external attempts that hope to cause internal collapse via undermining citizens' trust in the state's capabilities. It is something that will never happen, Madbouli said, adding that those behind such efforts are well aware of Egypt's ability to confront any external threat. The prime minister made the remarks during a press conference held after the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The country still has a long road ahead in its development and modernization process, he said, emphasizing that development efforts will not stop. The prime minister expressed hope that development projects would be completed, particularly the Decent Life Initiative to develop 4,500 villages. The first phase of the initiative has been completed, and two more phases are underway, he said, noting that many existing services still require quality improvements. Those projects are progressing positively and citizens are already noticing an improvement in service quality, Madbouli pointed out. In this regard, there are unprecedented challenges that demand greater efforts to achieve development goals, he noted. Meanwhile, Madbouli expressed regret over some recent incidents, noting that further efforts are being made to prevent similar occurrences in the future. 'We acknowledge the existence of shortcomings without stubbornness.' For the second consecutive week, fire safety systems are reviewed in buildings, the premier said, adding that emergency teams are assigned to be stand-by. He pointed out that the extreme heat is placing heavy pressure on electrical systems and air conditioners, which has caused failure in some systems and led to a higher number of fires during this period compared to the rest of the year. (MENA) I S N/S R E
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi urges swift completion of Decent Life 1st phase projects - Urban & Transport
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urged the swift completion of the first phase of the Decent Life Initiative and the enhancement of Egypt's seawater desalination plants to maximize benefits while developing a comprehensive vision for the country's future needs. The president's directives came during a meeting on Wednesday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny, and Major General Ahmed El-Azzazi, head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority. According to Presidential Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, the president was briefed on the progress of projects under the first phase of the Decent Life Initiative for the development of the Egyptian countryside, particularly those concerning the construction of water and sewage treatment facilities and networks in targeted villages. During the meeting, El-Sisi also emphasized the importance of completing these projects within the specified timelines. Introduced by El-Sisi in January 2019, the Decent Life Initiative aims to improve the quality of life of Egypt's most vulnerable citizens by enhancing basic daily services in rural areas. The initiative's first stage serves 28 million citizens in 1,477 villages. According to the plan, its second stage should cover 1,670 villages and provide services for some 20 million citizens. In March, PM Madbouly said the cabinet would hold biweekly meetings to monitor the initiative's progress on completing the first phase and prepare for launching the second in fiscal year (FY) 2025/2026. Meanwhile, El-Shennawy said the president also reviewed the progress in implementing the seawater desalination strategic plan. Speaking of the plan, the housing minister began by underscoring the state's efforts in that respect since 2014. He noted that desalination plants have been established in Marsa Matrouh, Beheira, South Sinai, Red Sea, Port Said, and Alexandria as part of five related five-year plans that extend through 2050. In addition, the president stressed the need to enhance the efficiency of existing plants to maximize benefits and the need to localize the desalination plants industry. Egypt suffers from a severe water shortage. While it requires 114 billion cubic metres, it has access to approximately 60 billion cubic metres annually, including 21 billion cubic metres of reused water. According to government figures, Egypt's per capita water availability has fallen to 500 cubic metres annually. This is far below the UN's 1,000 cubic metres per person threshold for water scarcity. In March, Egypt signed a cooperation protocol with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to include the Ain Sokhna Seawater Desalination Plant in the country's national Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) programme. The plant will produce one million cubic metres of clean water daily to meet the water needs of existing and future industrial projects, including green hydrogen initiatives. Moreover, the presidential spokesperson noted that El-Sisi was also briefed on the progress of several development projects and urban development plans for the northwestern coast. These projects include developing the Marina Tourist Centre, the Marina 8 project, the archaeological area in Marina, and the strategic plan for the West Ras El-Hekma area and New Alamein City. The president was also briefed on other Ministry of Housing projects, including launching phase 10 of the Beit El-Watan Initiative for Egyptians abroad. He also reviewed the government's steps to increase the number of land plots offered to meet citizens' needs. Furthermore, El-Sisi reviewed the progress on the Your Home in Egypt initiative. He also reviewed the management mechanisms for public parks in Cairo. The spokesman noted that the discussions included leveraging international best practices for green space management and development and promoting investment-related activities in these areas. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
10-03-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt, CIHEAM Bari partner up to fund green MSMEs by youth, women in Sohag
CAIRO – 10 March 2025: The Ministry of Social Solidarity and the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM Bari) are finalizing a plan to partner up in implementing a project in Upper Egypt's Sohag. The project is funding micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) founded by youth and women in green industries, in addition to supporting informal businesses to join the formal sector and providing capacity-building to governmental bodies concerned with entrepreneurship in Sohag. In a related context, Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Coalition for Civil Work Khaled Abdel Aziz signed in November a cooperation protocol on funding enterprises of women and youth at villages included in the "Decent Life" initiative across six governorates. Those are Aswan, Asyut, Beni Suef, Giza, Alexandria, and Daqahliyah, and, the age group targeted is 21 to 55. Also, disabled individuals will be entitled to apply on the funding programme. The programme includes training on management, crafts and online marketing, micro financing, veterinary care, insurance on poultry projects and capital, and assistance with sales. The second phase of Decent Life Initiative kicked off in July, and it is being implemented with funds worth LE450 billion and completed in three years. Seventeen percent of the Egyptian population residing a total of 1,500 rural villages – included in the first phase - had benefited from Decent Life initiative over the past three years with a cost of LE350 billion. The Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies (ECSS) issued in July a report titled "The Villages of Egypt in 10 Years: From Marginalization to Decent Life" on "Decent Life," which is the initiative aimed at developing the countryside and improving the lives of 58 million with a budget that surpasses LE1 trillion.
