INP shares latest conference’s insights on governance and sustainable development

Held over the weekend, the Institute of National Planning (INP) hosted its international conference, in partnership with USAID and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University, sharing the latest insights, best practices, and policy options to improve the management of sustainable development in developing countries.

Under the theme of Governance and Sustainable Development, the conference discussed the role of governance in supporting sustainable development across three key dimensions; economic, social, and environmental.

The 2-day conference aimed to accelerate the implementation of national strategies, including Egypt Vision 2023 and its climate change strategy while promoting transparency and stakeholder participation. It also seeks to strengthen international partnerships and drive economic growth for a brighter future.

At the end of the conference, Ashraf El-Araby, President of the Institute of National Planning, released the main recommendations and insights collected from the event’s panels and discussions.

1) Governance takes various forms and levels, such as public governance, corporate governance, multi-level governance, economic governance, environmental governance, and more. It is crucial to prioritize the achievement of different types and levels of governance, as it goes beyond institutions and focuses on their quality and efficiency.

2) Strengthening governance levels yields a positive impact on the efficacy of sustainable development goals.

3) Effective management cannot exist without proper data and measurement.

4) For transformative actions to take place, educating individuals and belief in governance and sustainable development is essential.

5) There is no one-size-fits-all formula for all countries; implementing the same reforms or following international recommendations may yield different outcomes due to varying circumstances. Planning reforms should be formulated based on each country's specific conditions.

6) Global challenges and uncertainties highlight the significance of anticipating, predicting, and planning for more efficient and effective responses in times of crisis. These include rapid developments in emerging technologies, currency fluctuations, financial disruptions, geopolitical conflicts like the Russo-Ukrainian war, and climate change.

 

7) Ensuring good governance and facilitating decision-making requires easily accessible information and data.

8) Flexibility, inclusiveness, preparedness, responsiveness, responsibility, cooperation, and transparency are crucial factors in achieving good governance and combating corruption.

9) The government cannot take sole responsibility; collaboration among all stakeholders is essential. Roles need to be divided among governments, private sector institutions, and civil society.

10) Artificial intelligence, raising awareness, capacity-building initiatives, and empowering the youth all play vital roles in fostering good governance.

11) There exists a research gap regarding the correlation between governance and digital transformation.