Written by: Badr Ahmed

As part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Egypt and Sierra Leone, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sierra Leone, Rasha Suleiman, held a meeting with the Minister of Social Welfare in Sierra Leone, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Freetown, to discuss prospects for joint cooperation between the two countries in the areas of protection, social welfare and sustainable development.

Egypt and Sierra Leone discuss strengthening cooperation

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen the historical relations between Egypt and Sierra Leone, which have witnessed remarkable development in recent years in various political, economic and developmental fields.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to expand institutional cooperation between the Egyptian Embassy and the Ministry of Social Welfare in order to support the most needy groups and improve the level of social services provided to citizens.

The discussions focused on the importance of exchanging experiences and successful practices in the field of social protection, and benefiting from Egyptian expertise in implementing development programs and initiatives aimed at promoting social justice and empowering vulnerable groups, including women, children, and people with special needs.

The two sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation in supporting the five major priority projects launched by the Sierra Leonean government as part of its vision for achieving sustainable development and improving the living conditions of its citizens. These projects are key pillars of Sierra Leone's national development plan, aiming to bring about a qualitative shift in vital sectors related to human and economic development.

The Egyptian ambassador affirmed Cairo’s keenness to continue supporting development efforts in sister African countries, and to strengthen partnerships based on the exchange of benefits and experiences, in line with the directions of Egyptian policy towards the African continent and the Sustainable Development Goals.

For her part, the Sierra Leonean Minister of Social Welfare expressed her appreciation for the Egyptian role in supporting development efforts on the continent, stressing the importance of expanding areas of cooperation with Egypt and benefiting from its accumulated experience in implementing social protection and community development programs.

Both sides agreed to continue coordination and joint work during the next phase to transform the ideas presented into practical projects and initiatives that contribute to enhancing the well-being of citizens and support the path of social and economic development in Sierra Leone, reflecting the depth of relations and the long-standing friendship between the two countries.