The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the official development assistance agency of South Korea, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, organized an online seminar to celebrate the conclusion of a three-year capacity-building program (2023-2025) titled “Capacity Building in Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Planning and Management in Egypt.”

The program was implemented under KOICA’s scholarship and training initiative “Capacity Building for Tomorrow (CIAT),” targeting ministry staff to enhance the effectiveness of environmental planning and management in Egypt through establishing and activating an integrated GIS system.

The seminar included officials from the Ministry of Environment, representatives from KOICA partners such as Beni-Suef University of Technology and the General Authority for Export and Import Control, and presentations by graduates from the three program cohorts, including a master’s program graduate from CIAT in South Korea who shared her full experience.

During the seminar, three ministry staff members who graduated from the program shared their experiences and knowledge gained during training in Korea, explaining the direct impact on their work and how they applied these skills to provide more effective public services. They also emphasized that the program enabled them not only to develop realistic work plans but also to learn about Korean culture and the significant advancements in GIS applications.

One CIAT master’s graduate explained that her experience in Korea broadened her vision and increased her leadership confidence, qualifying her to take on greater responsibilities both personally and professionally. She added that the values of solidarity, hard work, and cooperation she learned had a profound impact on her experience.

According to a statement issued by KOICA on Thursday, the seminar reflects the pivotal role of international cooperation in supporting public sector capacities and enhancing the environmental sector in Egypt.

In 2025, KOICA provided training to 45 officials from four main Egyptian entities: the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Interior, and the National Council for Women. Additionally, six Egyptian candidates were selected to join scholarship programs in various fields, contributing to their professional development and capacity enhancement.

The “Capacity Building for Tomorrow (CIAT)” program, affiliated with KOICA, is one of South Korea’s leading human resource development programs, targeting the training and capacity building of government officials, engineers, researchers, and policymakers from developing countries, focusing on sharing Korean development experiences and technology transfer.

KOICA is a Korean government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming to implement development assistance programs to combat poverty and support sustainable social and economic growth in developing countries worldwide.

KOICA’s Egypt office, established in 1998, supports projects including technical education for youth, digitization of government services and systems, programs addressing gender-based violence and empowering women, and support for vulnerable groups.