The National Planning Institute in Egypt has concluded its 10th annual international conference on the labor market and sustainable development. The conference, held on September 21-22 in Cairo, was attended by high-level officials, experts, and academics from various Egyptian ministries, institutions, and universities, as well as representatives from international and regional organizations. The conference featured 15 research papers, 3 presentations, and 7 scientific sessions, in addition to a high-level dialogue session on the opportunities and challenges of women's participation in the labor market.
The conference was addressed by several high-profile speakers, including Dr. Ahmed Rustam, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, who delivered a speech on the importance of integrating sustainable development and labor market policies. Dr. Hala Said, former Minister of Planning and Economic Development and current advisor to the President on economic affairs, also spoke on the topic of women's participation in economic activity. Other notable speakers included Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy for Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Dr. Ibrahim El-Isawi, Professor of Economics at the National Planning Institute.
The conference discussions focused on the future of the labor market and its relationship to sustainable development. Participants emphasized the need for integrated population and employment policies that respond to demographic changes. They also highlighted the importance of setting sectoral targets to enhance the participation of youth, women, and people with disabilities in the labor market, as well as improving productivity and job quality.
The conference recommendations stressed the need to link the national employment strategy to development plans and government work programs, and to convert its goals into executable programs that can be monitored and evaluated. Participants also called for maximizing the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurship, and start-ups to the economy, and for creating a supportive business environment.
The conference also highlighted the importance of developing labor market information systems and databases to enhance planning, policy-making, and risk management. Participants recommended promoting the readiness of the national labor market to adapt to technological changes, including artificial intelligence, and providing digital infrastructure and reliable databases.
The conference conclusions emphasized the need to enhance the integration between environmental policies and labor market policies, which would support the expansion of green jobs and sustainable investments. Participants also recommended providing financial and tax incentives to institutions that commit to environmental standards, and gradually including green skills requirements within environmental compliance frameworks.
The National Planning Institute's conference provided a platform for experts and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the labor market in Egypt and the region. The conference recommendations are expected to inform policy decisions and contribute to the development of effective strategies for sustainable development and job creation.
Key points
- The conference emphasized the need for integrated population and employment policies that respond to demographic changes.
- Participants highlighted the importance of setting sectoral targets to enhance the participation of youth, women, and people with disabilities in the labor market.
- The conference recommended promoting the readiness of the national labor market to adapt to technological changes, including artificial intelligence.
