Washington, United States, 13 October 2022 – Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, held bilateral meetings with Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Mr. Achim Steiner.

In the meeting, Dr. Al Jasser, expressed appreciation for the long lasting partnership between IsDB and UNDP, noting the fruitful engagements such as the NGO Empowerment Program/TADAMON platform—through which IsDB, ISFD, and UNDP teams are working to empower 500 local NGOs in countries like Lebanon, Somalia, Turkiye, Morocco, Indonesia, and Tunisia. 

The IsDB President further lauded the UNDP for its collaboration with the Bank on Islamic Finance for SDGs. The two partners recently launched the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Islamic Finance for the SDGs developed by UNDP's Istanbul International Center for Private Sector Development and IsDB's Transform Fund in partnership with the IsDB Institute and Durham University Business School.

Dr. Al Jasser also noted the significant progress between the two institutions since 2016 highlighting the Joint Action Plan that is now organized geographically and thematically with full involvement of focal points from both sides.

He called for the continued enhancement of the operation between the two sides at all levels to support member countries' socio-economic development and SDGs.