As Prepared for Delivery

Mrs. Dalia Elbaz‏ - ‏Executive Chairwoman at Egypt Post.

Excellency Ambassador Khaled Anis, Assistant Minister for international Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Distinguished partners,

It is a great honor to stand before you today as we mark the launch of the new joint project toSupport to the Modernization of Egypt Post.

Today is more than a signing ceremony. It is a celebration of a long-standing partnership, of tangible progress, and of a shared vision for a more inclusive, innovative, and digitally empowered Egypt.

Allow me to begin by reflecting on the journey that has brought us here.

The partnership between UNDP and Egypt Post is one of the most enduring and impactful collaborations.  Over the years, we have worked hand in hand to modernize one of Egypt’s oldest and most trusted public institutions, an institution that touches the lives of millions of Egyptians every single day.

Together, our cooperation has delivered concrete and meaningful results.

More than 4,000 post offices have been renovated and upgraded, extending Egypt Post’s reach to every corner of the country.

New digital services have been introduced, a modern call center has been established, now handling over 7.5 million calls annually, and a nationwide postal code system has been put in place.

Most importantly, our joint efforts have advanced financial inclusion, supported marginalized communities, and contributed directly to Egypt’s broader digital transformation agenda.

These achievements are not merely statistics. They represent real improvements in people’s daily lives, particularly for citizens in rural and underserved areas who rely on Egypt Post as a trusted gateway to essential services.

Today, as we embark on the new project, we do so with renewed ambition and a clear sense of purpose.

This project is designed to secure Egypt Post’s long-term financial sustainability, accelerate its digital transformation, and strengthen its institutional capacity for years to come.

However, this project is not only about technology or infrastructure. At its core, it is about people.

It is about building public institutions that are transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of people.

It is about ensuring that every Egyptian, regardless of gender, age, or location, can access public services that are efficient, reliable, and inclusive.

It is about empowering women, young people, and vulnerable groups to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Central to this vision is Gender equality. UNDP and Egypt Post are deeply committed to ensuring that women are not only beneficiaries of digital transformation, but leaders and innovators. Under this project, we will develop a comprehensive gender strategy for Egypt Post, embedding gender equality into its mission, vision, and values.

By mainstreaming gender equality across every component of this project, we are not only advancing social justice; we are unlocking the full potential of Egypt’s workforce and strengthening the foundations for sustainable development.

I would also like to underscore the importance of South-South cooperation in this new phase.   Egypt Post’s Regional Postal Training Center is poised to become a beacon for capacity building and knowledge sharing across Africa and the Middle East.

Through staff exchanges, joint training programs, and partnerships with postal organizations across the Global South, we are fostering a spirit of solidarity and mutual learning that will benefit not only Egypt, but the entire region.

UNDP is proud to bring its global expertise in digital transformation, governance, and financial inclusion to this partnership.

Our collaboration with Egypt Post demonstrates what is possible when innovation, commitment, and strong partnerships come together in service of the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030.

Through this project, we are contributing directly to expanded financial inclusion, the empowerment of women and youth, the acceleration of inclusive digital transformation and strengthening South-South cooperation across the region.

None of this would be possible without the leadership and dedication of our partners at Egypt Post, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all stakeholders involved.

Your vision, openness to innovation, and unwavering commitment form the foundation of our shared success.

As we sign this new project today, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to leaving no one behind.  Let us continue to innovate, to collaborate, and to deliver results that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

In closing, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this journey.

Together, we are not only modernizing Egypt Post, we are building a future where every citizen can fully access the opportunities of the digital age.

Thank you.