Latest news with #internationalcooperation
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat Discusses with World Bank Regional Director Advancing Multilateral Cooperation to Enhance Economic Development in Egypt
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a meeting with Mr. Stephane Guimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, to discuss avenues to strengthen joint cooperation to achieve economic development in Egypt. The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation discussed with the World Bank Regional Director the joint efforts to enhance economic development by leveraging the World Bank's international expertise and capabilities, emphasizing the importance of the partnership with the World Bank Group as a knowledge partner to the Egyptian government. Where joint work is underway to develop a comprehensive implementation plan to achieve economic development in cooperation with ministries and national entities, aiming to support macroeconomic stability, provide development financing, promote industrial development and trade, mobilize foreign direct investment (FDI), and increase investment in human capital. H.E. also highlighted the Ministry's efforts to implement the national narrative for economic development, which includes several pillars such as the preparation of the National Strategy for Industrial Development, which aims to increase exports, and enhance the value-added of manufacturing industries, and expand the contribution of the green economy to the GDP, as well as on enhancing integration and coherence between the FDI strategy and industrial development, supporting the labor market strategy focused on skills, and promote investment in human capital. She pointed out that this document comes within the framework of the effort to formulate a unified development discourse that reflects the state's priorities, enhances the consistency of macroeconomic policies, and serves as a common reference for the government, international institutions, and development partners. The meeting also discussed updates regarding the World Bank's portfolio, including the Universal Health Insurance Project, the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program, and the Takaful and Karama Program. Discussions also covered the latest developments in the Upper Egypt Local Development Program and the Cairo-Alexandria Trade Logistics Development Project, which is being implemented in cooperation with the National Railways Authority of Egypt (NRA). For his part, Mr. Stephane Guimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank for Egypt, presented an overview of a new global health initiative led by the World Bank, which aims to expand basic health coverage to an additional 1.5 billion people worldwide, focusing on middle- and low-income countries. The idea of Egypt joining as a key participant in this initiative was raised in light of its significant progress in health sector reforms, particularly through the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance system, which is considered one of the largest social protection projects in the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.
Reuters
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Trump pulls US out of UN cultural agency UNESCO for second time
PARIS/WASHINGTON, July 22 (Reuters) - President Donald Trumppulled the United States out of the U.N. culture and education agency UNESCO on Tuesday, repeating a move he had already ordered during his first term, which had been reversed under Joe Biden. The withdrawal from the Paris-based agency, which was founded after World War Two to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture, will take effect on December 31, 2026. "President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. The State Department said remaining in UNESCO was not in the national interest, accusing it of having "a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy". UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said she deeply regretted Trump's decision, but that it was "expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it". The agency had diversified its sources of funding, receiving only about 8% of its budget from Washington, she said. UNESCO was one of several international bodies Trump withdrew from during his first term, along with the World Health Organization, the Paris Agreement global climate change accord and the U.N. Human Rights Council. During his second term, he has largely reinstated those steps. UNESCO officials said the U.S. withdrawal would have some limited impact on programs the United States was financing. Israel welcomed the U.S. decision to quit UNESCO. The U.S. State Department said one of the reasons for the withdrawal was UNESCO's decision to admit Palestine as a member state, which was "contrary to U.S. policy and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization." UNESCO officials said all relevant agency statements had been agreed with both Israel and the Palestinians over the past eight years. "The reasons put forward by the United States to withdraw from the Organization are the same as seven years ago even though the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism," Azoulay said. "These claims also contradict the reality of UNESCO's efforts, particularly in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism." Diplomats said it was felt at UNESCO that the withdrawal was inevitable for political reasons, given that Biden had brought the U.S. back and had promised to repay arrears from the first time Trump pulled out. UNESCO, whose full name is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is best known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon in the United States and the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. The United States initially joined UNESCO at its founding in 1945 but withdrew for the first time in 1984 in protest against alleged financial mismanagement and perceived anti-U.S. bias, returning in 2003 under President George W. Bush, who said the agency had undertaken needed reforms.
Al Bawaba
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
US officially leaves UNESCO
Published July 22nd, 2025 - 12:18 GMT ALBAWABA - The United States announced leaving the UN cultural and education agency, UNESCO. According to the US, the decision to leave UNESCO, which is familiar for establishing world heritage sites, was due to the agency being biased against Israel and promoting "divisive" causes. "Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States," the State Department spokesperson announced in a statement on Tuesday. UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to promote world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
France 24
20 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
US to withdraw from UNESCO again, this time due to its support for ‘woke' causes
The United States announced Tuesday it will again pull out of the UN's educational, scientific and cultural agency because of what Washington sees as its anti-Israel bias, only two years after rejoining. 'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,' White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly told the New York Post. UNESCO and the White House did not immediately confirm the US move. The move, which will take place at the end of December 2026, is a blow to the Paris-based agency, founded after World War II to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. President Donald Trump had already pulled out from UNESCO during his first term in addition to quitting the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, a global climate change accord and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal Joe Biden reversed those decisions after taking office in 2021, returning the US to UNESCO, the WHO and the climate agreement. With Trump now back in the White House, the US is once again withdrawing from these global bodies. UNESCO is best known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon in the US and the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. The US initially joined UNESCO at its founding in 1945 but withdrew for the first time in 1984 in protest against alleged financial mismanagement and perceived anti-US bias, returning almost 20 years later in 2003 under President George W. Bush, who then said the agency had undertaken needed reforms. UNESCO's full name is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The United States provides about 8 percent of UNESCO's total budget, down from about 20 percent at the time Trump first pulled the United States out of the agency.
Khaleej Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Racing Club and France Galop announce strategic partnership
Dubai Racing Club announced a strategic partnership with France Galop, the governing body responsible for all Thoroughbred and flat horseracing in France. This collaboration marks a significant step in fostering international cooperation and promoting excellence within the global racing community. As part of the agreement, Dubai Racing Club will travel to Deauville on August 9 to lend its name to the Group 3 Prix de Reux – a prestigious staying contest run over 2,500 metres. In return, France Galop representatives will visit Meydan Racecourse for the running of the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes on January 2, 2026. The Dubawi Stakes serves as a key prep race for the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, one of the highlights of the Dubai World Cup card. 'We are honoured to partner with France Galop in this exciting new venture. Our upcoming visit to Deauville and their presence at Meydan during the Dubai Racing Carnival reflect our mutual commitment to the advancement of international racing. Our leadership encourages us to look ahead and engage globally, and this partnership is a proud reflection of that vision,' said Ali Al Ali, CEO & Board Member of Dubai Racing Club. Erwan Charpy, Head of Racing Operations & International Relations at Dubai Racing Club, added: 'Thoroughbred racing is inherently international, and this partnership with France Galop strengthens the ties between the UAE and France. We share common values centred on horse welfare, sporting integrity, and world-class entertainment. We've witnessed many French successes in Dubai in recent years and equally enjoy watching our runners compete on French soil during the summer.' Meanwhile, Henri Pouret, Deputy CEO of France Galop, said: 'This partnership between France Galop and the Dubai Racing Club reflects our mutual commitment to strengthening ties with major international racing institutions. 'By combining our expertise through two high-level events, in Deauville and Meydan, we jointly reaffirm our commitment to promoting the international influence of Thoroughbred racing. This collaboration allows us to share our values and helps showcase the French racing industry, renowned for its excellence on the global stage.' France Galop oversees a vibrant calendar of more than 6,800 races across 132 racecourses throughout France, underscoring the country's deep-rooted equestrian tradition.
