Egypt’s Al-Mashat calls for stronger evaluation practices in development

Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat underscored the critical role of robust evaluation practices in navigating global challenges such as economic transformations, geopolitical tensions, and technological advancements, according to a Cabinet statement on Thursday.

Speaking at a conference organised by the New Development Bank (NDB), Minister Al-Mashat highlighted that effective evaluations drive innovation, inform decision-making, and enhance accountability, ultimately contributing to stronger, more resilient economies. She emphasised the need for comprehensive, multidimensional assessments to ensure sustainable development and national ownership of projects.

The minister also stressed the strategic evaluation of development financing, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to maximise impact and align with national priorities. By embedding these assessments into operational frameworks, she explained, governments can foster stronger partnerships and enhance accountability, ensuring that initiatives reflect each country’s specific needs and priorities.

She commended the NDB’s establishment of an independent evaluation office, describing it as a key step toward enhancing development effectiveness, strengthening multilateral cooperation, and supporting the bank’s mission through integrated programme evaluations.

Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to accountability and transparency, Minister Al-Mashat outlined its rigorous monitoring and evaluation frameworks, which align development efforts with sustainable development goals (SDGs). She emphasised the importance of data-driven policies in ensuring efficient resource utilisation, successful initiatives, and long-term economic growth.

A major milestone in these efforts, she noted, was the launch of the electronic Aid Information Management System (AIMS) in March 2023. This digital platform enhances data collection, project tracking, and transparency, enabling stakeholders to monitor key indicators such as implementation progress, disbursement rates, and SDG alignment.

Looking ahead, Minister Al-Mashat expressed Egypt’s readiness to share its expertise by hosting knowledge exchange workshops with NDB members. These sessions will focus on best practices and innovative methodologies in monitoring and evaluation, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to South-South cooperation and global knowledge sharing.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser