Dubai, UAE, 1 December 2023 – COP 28, the most important global event for securing a resilient and sustainable planet-friendly future is currently taking place in Dubai, UAE.

On the sidelines of this major global forum, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group has launched a pavilion that is hosting a wide array of climate-related meetings and side events.  

IsDB President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, on Friday, 1st December 2023, held a meeting with Executive Director of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Mr. Moreira da Silva at the IsDB Group pavilion in the blue zone of COP27.

Dr. Al Jasser, at the meeting, lauded the ongoing cooperation between IsDB Group and UNOPS in various sectors around the world voicing hope that it will be further expanded to pace up achieving the UN sustainable development goals.

Since 2018, the two international institutions have joined hands to improve lives and livelihoods on various occasions including the Ebola crisis in West Africa in 2018; the COVID-19 related projects in Maldives, Cameroon, Benin, Chad, Guinea, Mozambique, Mali, and Senegal; the Oncology services in Uzbekistan; and the Malaria eradication initiative in Nigeria.

IsDB Group’s operations portfolio with UNOPs stands at US$ 230 million and there is a detailed joint action plan in place that helps both sides team members to know the details of their engagements.

A new and restated cooperation document was signed between IsDB Group and UNOPS on 21 February 2023 in Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that covers joint action in (i) joint diagnostic work, procurement, and capacity assessments; (ii) sharing of pipeline and annual work programs; (iii) cooperation in economic and social infrastructure; resilience and social development; regional cooperation and integration; science, technology, and innovation; economic empowerment; private sector development; and Islamic finance. 

They addressed the progress of the enduring partnership between the two Organizations and emphasized the commitment to advancing cooperation through the effective implementation of the MoU action plan and fostering the exchange of staff and experience.