Minister of Youth and Sports Receives an Official Delegation from the Netherlands in the Presence of the Dutch Ambassador to Cairo
Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, received an official delegation from the Netherlands, which included Mr. Jorian Middelhoff, Ambassador for Youth, Work, and Education in the Netherlands. The meeting was attended by Ambassador Peter Mollema, the Dutch Ambassador to Cairo, Ms. Minka van der Saar, Senior Officer for Development and Employment to Address Forced Displacement at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Marieke Walraven, First Secretary – Regional Policy and Migration Department at the Dutch Embassy in Cairo, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It also addressed the national youth strategy in Egypt, ways to support education and youth employment, and promoting youth participation. Additionally, it explored the role of sports in social and economic development and how to utilize sports to address various issues.
During the meeting, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy highlighted the significance of cooperation between Egypt and the Netherlands in the fields of youth and sports. He noted that the Egyptian state places great importance on youth empowerment and enhancing their role in building the future through comprehensive national strategies that strengthen their scientific, economic, and innovative capabilities.
He affirmed that Egypt is committed to developing sports in all aspects—not only in terms of infrastructure but also by fostering innovation, encouraging sports investment, and creating a supportive environment for youth to engage in sports and utilize them as a tool for development. Sports play a fundamental role in shaping generations capable of creativity and global competition while also contributing to stability and sustainable development.
Sobhy also pointed out that the ministry continues to enhance cooperation with various countries to exchange expertise and develop programs and projects that serve Egyptian youth. He expressed his aspiration for more partnerships and cooperation with the Netherlands, which would contribute to achieving common goals for the development of the sports and youth sector.
For his part, Mr. Jorian Middelhoff, Ambassador for Youth, Work, and Education in the Netherlands, expressed his deep appreciation for the strong and distinguished relations between Egypt and the Netherlands. He affirmed that cooperation in the fields of youth, sports, and education is a fundamental pillar for promoting sustainable development and empowering future generations.
He added that the Netherlands believes in the importance of empowering youth and preparing them for the labor market through comprehensive programs that enhance their skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. The Netherlands continuously strives to implement this in collaboration with the Egyptian government, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports. There are numerous projects and joint cooperation initiatives being carried out between the two sides, and efforts are underway to develop and expand them in the near future.