UNDP, e& to Drive Digital Sustainable Development in Arab States

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and e&, formerly known as Etisalat Group, have signed a landmark cooperation agreement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. This partnership aims to leverage digital technologies to advance sustainable development across the Arab States region, focusing on digital inclusion, economic transition, AI for climate resilience, and fostering public-private partnerships under the Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) initiative.

The cooperation will focus on enhancing digital inclusion to bridge divides and promoting the transition to a digital economy, particularly for medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs). Additionally, the partnership will expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve climate resilience and strengthen public-private partnerships for digital cooperation.

Abdallah Al-Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States at UNDP, emphasized the importance of such collaborations, saying, “Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab States requires urgent action and effective partnerships, particularly with the business sector. We are excited about this partnership with e&, a leader in digital services, to promote sustainable development, particularly through AI, financial inclusion, and digital capacity building.”

The partnership will also support the AI for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) platform by delivering transformative digital solutions and promoting the ethical use of AI in key areas related to the SDGs. The Climate & Natural Disaster Crises (CNDC) Platform, designed to improve resilience to climate challenges, will benefit from AI-powered insights and data visualization tools.

Additionally, e& will work with UNDP on pilot projects in Egypt through its subsidiary, Erada Microfinance, aimed at increasing financial inclusion and promoting women entrepreneurship in Egypt’s Upper Region. These initiatives will also help accelerate the SDGs by developing accessible health insurance products and green transformation strategies. The cooperation will extend to the Arab Knowledge Project, part of UNDP’s FutureSkills4All initiative, which will offer free access to online courses.

Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “This partnership is a crucial step in leveraging advanced technologies to foster economic growth, enhance public services, and empower communities across the Arab States. Our aim is to promote a digital economy, drive sustainable development, and build digital capacity, creating new opportunities and a more inclusive, resilient future for all.”

This collaboration will further boost digital capacity building, promote SDGs, and foster knowledge exchange through expanded digital public-private partnerships, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for the region.