Egypt’s Youth and Sports Minister Meets UNESCO Official to Boost Sport‑Based Youth Programs
Published By Regional Desk
According to Egypt Independent, Minister of Youth and Sports Gohar Nabil met on Monday, October 12, 2026, with Paul Koster, UNESCO Regional Director for Cairo and director of the UN agency’s liaison office to the Arab League.
Meeting Overview
The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation in priority areas such as sport for development, social inclusion, youth empowerment and digital skills development.
The meeting takes place as the Ministry of Youth and Sports seeks to broaden its international partnerships and draw on external expertise and resources to support Egyptian youth, expand sport practice and highlight sport’s role in human and sustainable development.
Priorities Discussed
Both sides explored ways to build on existing collaboration and launch joint programmes that use sport as a tool for sustainable development, encourage community participation and widen access to sports and youth activities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s strategy of investing in people and building young people’s capacities.
Nabil stressed that his ministry places great importance on working with international organisations and tapping their expertise to design youth and sport initiatives.
He said such cooperation would increase participation in sport, strengthen sport’s contribution to community development and promote the values of participation, tolerance and equal opportunities.
He highlighted the need to build on the current UNESCO partnership and create joint projects with measurable impact, especially in inclusive sport, empowering persons with disabilities, developing youth skills and supporting digital innovation.
Nabil also urged that proposed initiatives be aligned with the actual needs of young people and that clear mechanisms be put in place for implementation and follow‑up.
Officials’ Remarks
For his part, Koster underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in fields that expand opportunities for young people to engage in development and to use sport to promote social inclusion and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
