The European Union, The Ministry of Local Development and Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Integrated Local Development Strategies to 2030 and Development Vision to 2040 for the governorates of Fayoum, Aswan, Beni Suef and Luxor, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP.

The launch event was attended by H.E. Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment; Ms. Anne Schouw, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt; Ambassador Khalid Anis, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates; Dr. Heba Abd El Moneim, Assistant Minister for Human Resources and Head of the Regional Planning Sector, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development; Ms. Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Egypt Resident Representative, Ms. Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, as well as the Governors of Fayoum, Aswan, Beni Suef, Luxor, Cairo, and Giza alongside senior government officials and development partners.

The strategies mark an important step in advancing territorial, inclusive, and evidence-based development planning in Egypt, translating Egypt Vision 2030 into concrete opportunities at the governorate level and strengthening the link between national policy frameworks and local development implementation.

Developed through a participatory and inclusive process involving government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and socio-economic councils, the strategies reflect shared priorities identified through extensive consultations at the national and local levels. They identify priority investment areas and strengthen the capacity of local institutions to plan, implement, and monitor development initiatives. The plans are also aligned with Egypt’s Unified Planning Law, the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, and performance-based budgeting systems to ensure integration into national public investment planning.

Across the four governorates, the strategies identify economic diversification, improved infrastructure and public services, and stronger local institutions as key priorities. They also integrate climate action, social inclusion, gender equality and private sector engagement as cross-cutting priorities, including efforts to expand women’s economic opportunities and access to markets, skills, and finance.

Each governorate strategy builds on its unique strengths to unlock new economic opportunities.In Fayoum, the strategy builds on the governorate’s leading role in table olive production. The Integrated Services Center and Industrial Complex in Yousef El-Seddik will support research, processing, and marketing platforms to develop a distinctive Fayoum olive brand capable of competing in regional and international markets.

In Aswan, the strategy positions the governorate as Egypt’s southern gateway to Africa, leveraging its potential in renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture. A key initiative focuses on strengthening the dates’ value chain by connecting farmers to processing, packaging, and markets.

In Beni Suef, the focus is on developing the governorate’s strong base in medicinal and aromatic plants. The Integrated Services Center in Samasta will provide advisory, processing, and marketing support to help producers access higher-value markets while, in Luxor, the strategy seeks to strengthen tourism value chains while diversifying the local economy. Investments in modernized wholesale markets aim to expand economic opportunities for local producers and traders.

“The Egyptian government is working to promote balanced development across all governorates, based on the belief that development begins at the local level and that empowering citizens and improving their quality of life remain the primary goals of all development efforts.
The Ministry of Local Development is also committed to supporting the translation of these strategies into tangible projects on the ground, while strengthening the role of the private sector and fostering an attractive investment environment that supports sustainable development across the country,” said Minister of Local Development and Environment H.E. Dr. Manal Awad.

From his side, Ambassador Khaled Anis, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said; “By supporting the preparation of strategic plans and strengthening local economic development capacities in the governorates of Beni Suef, Fayoum, Luxor, and Aswan, this programme directly contributes to national efforts to achieve balanced regional development and to strengthen the role of local administration.”

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, said:“Development ultimately happens locally; in cities, villages, and communities where people live and work. These strategies represent an important step in translating Egypt Vision 2030 into locally grounded action by building on the unique strengths of each governorate and creating new opportunities for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.”

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Anne Schouw underlined that local governments are the citizens first gateway to public services - health, education, infrastructure - and they play an outsized role in the everyday life of all Egyptians. With the support of the EU, the Local Development Strategies will empower Egypt’s governorates to transform national development priorities into concrete investments, opportunities, and tangible improvements for local communities.

"Across the world, development increasingly depends on the strength of local institutions. Cities and governorates are where national priorities take shape in people’s daily lives, and where resilience to economic and climate pressures must be built. Through the Integrated Local Development Strategies in Fayoum, Beni Suef, Luxor and Aswan, Egypt is strengthening local systems and opening new opportunities for communities to benefit from economic growth. The United Nations is proud to support these efforts, working with the Government of Egypt and partners to ensure that development delivers real improvements in people’s lives,” said Ms. Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt.

The strategies are also aligned with Egypt Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the National Urban Policy, and national planning frameworks, ensuring that development priorities at the governorate level contribute directly to Egypt’s broader sustainable development goals.