On Tuesday, 18 February 2025, HE Dr Rania Al-Mashat, minister of planning, economic development and international cooperation, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) MENA regional office, based at the American University in Cairo (AUC), and Community Jameel launch the Hub for Advanced Policy Innovation for the Environment (HAPIE).
The event includes keynote remarks and a panel discussion from distinguished experts and stakeholders addressing Egypt's climate challenges.
HAPIE joins a network of Air and Water Labs, a global initiative founded by J-PAL and Community Jameel. The new lab extends the work of the Egypt Impact Lab, housed at the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD).
J-PAL Air and Water Labs partner with government agencies to increase access to evidence and spark collaboration with researchers to innovate, test and scale evidence-informed air and water policies. Based in South Asia, Africa and MENA, the labs collectively aim to reach 260 million people.
Opening remarks
Ahmed Elsayed, executive director, J-PAL MENA
Laila Hosni, executive director, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, Egypt
George Richards, director, Community Jameel
Ahmad Dallal, president, American University in Cairo
HE Rania Al-Mashat, minister of planning, economic development and international cooperation
Esther Duflo (by video), co-founder and co-director, J-PAL, and Abdul Latif Jameel professor of poverty alleviation and development economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Panel discussion: From evidence to impact: Tackling climate challenges in Egypt
Clémence Vidal de la Blache, country director, Agence Française de Devéloppement (AFD), Egypt
Alessandro Fracassetti, resident representative, United Nations Development Programme
Laurent Debroux, programme leader sustainable development, World Bank
Sherif El Diwany, co-founder and managing director, MGM Climate Business Developers
Kyle Emerick (moderator), J-PAL affiliate and associate professor of economics, Tufts University
Closing remarks
Reham Rizk, director, Egypt Impact Lab
Sherifa Sherif, executive director, National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development
