The Lives and Livelihoods Fund ("LLF"), on 2 June 2022, hosted a panel discussion on the side of the Islamic Development Bank's ("IsDB") annual meetings. The panel, which was delivered in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Local Development, saw panellists share their respective experience with the LLF over the past six years, referencing how engaging with country-level decision-makers, partners, and donors have been beneficial to investing in human capital, particularly in the current global context and post-pandemic environment. 

In the discussion, the implications and role of multilateral development cooperation platforms in strengthening the capacity of beneficiary countries to build resilience against emergencies and their economic impact in the future were unpacked. The panel also highlighted the importance of executing practical cooperation models to support sustainable growth and development in the health, agriculture, and basic infrastructure sectors and the role such cooperation plays in realizing the SDGs' human development goals.

The Director General for Country Programs, Mr. Anasse Aissami, at the IsDB, provided opening remarks, following which H.E Mahmoud Shaarawy, the Minister of Local Development of the Republic of Egypt, delivered the keynote address.

Commenting on the importance of investing in human capital, H.E Mahmoud Shaarawy expressed his appreciation for such an initiative: "The Ministry of Local Development is proud to co-organize this panel discussion. Muslim Countries, like other countries, have suffered on many fronts due to the pandemic and its implications. Therefore, seeing representatives of leading development organizations and policymakers coming together today to discuss opportunities of investing in human capital is reassuring".

His Excellency also shared his perspective on implementing socio-economic projects post the pandemic, stating that despite the global disruption, sustaining focus on developing essential systems and securing livelihoods among the most vulnerable remains pivotal for mitigation against future threats: "By integrating innovative investment models that improve underlying systems of healthcare and economic empowerment, countries will be able to drive a resilient recovery from the pandemic and lay the foundation for more equitable, sustainable and robust growth".

According to Shaarawy, Egypt's commitment to structural reform of the economy preceded the pandemic. He emphasized that Egyptian governmental initiatives such as the Decent Life and The Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP) have introduced multiple growth opportunities to enhance competitiveness, raise living standards, and empower people to lead economic development.

Panellists were drawn from the international development world. These included Dr Abdul Hakim Elwaer, the Assistant Director-General of the UN FAO and Regional Representative of the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa; Dr. Waleed Addas, Head of the LLF, and LLF donor representatives, Mr James Carty, Head of the Middle East and East Asia at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Mr. Khemais El Gazzah, Senior Advisor at Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development.  

On his part, Mr. James Carty emphasized incorporating effective partnerships to deliver results while ensuring development effectiveness principles: "The LLF represents one of the most influential investing models in human capital in the Middle East. Since its inception in 2016, the Fund has been leveraging the capacities and grants from six major development partners in the region; the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre KSRelief and Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in addition to the funding of the IsDB."

"Through this innovative model, we don't just address an immediate need but help create fundamental change in country systems for generations." Carty added.

Dr. Waleed Addas, Head of the LLF and a panellist, commented: "This panel has been convened in alignment with the annual meeting's theme of Beyond Recovery: Resilience and Sustainability with the aim of sharing the experiences of the LLF as well as building on these through the reflections of other members of the panel. As the LLF, we strongly believe in driving impact through collaboration, a key theme which the panellists outlined and agreed on."

To date, the LLF has 37 active projects in 22 countries to lift the poorest out of poverty across IsDB Member Countries through projects in Health, Agriculture and basic infrastructure.