The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UAE-based technology group e& have signed a cooperation agreement during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly to leverage digital technologies for sustainable development in the Arab States region.
Cooperation Objectives
The partnership will focus on enhancing digital inclusion to bridge digital divides, promoting the transition to a digital economy, enabling solutions for medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs), expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for climate resilience, and fostering robust public-private partnerships for digital cooperation. This initiative is part of the Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) program, which UNDP leads alongside key partners in the region.
Abdallah Al-Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States in UNDP, emphasized the importance of expanded and effective partnerships, especially with the business sector, stating, “The pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab States region requires urgent action at scale.” He expressed appreciation for the partnership with e&, recognizing its role as a prominent provider of digital services across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Supporting Key Initiatives
The new partnership will support the AI for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) platform, a leading initiative within the D4SD partnership, by providing transformative digital solutions, data, and technical support to promote the ethical use of AI for public benefit in areas related to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, it will aid the development of the Climate & Natural Disaster Crises (CNDC) Platform, which aims to enhance resilience to climate-related challenges such as floods, earthquakes, and droughts through AI-powered insights and data visualization tools.
Role of e&
e& will collaborate with UNDP on pilot projects in Egypt through its subsidiary, Erada Microfinance, focusing on increasing financial inclusion and promoting women’s entrepreneurship in the upper regions of Egypt. The partnership aims to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs by developing accessible health insurance products, fostering green transformation, and financing risk facilities. Furthermore, it will extend the reach of the Arab Knowledge Project, part of UNDP’s FutureSkills4All initiative, providing free access to online courses.
Hatem Dowidar, CEO of e&, stated, “We are incredibly proud to partner with UNDP on such vital initiatives. This collaboration represents an integral step towards harnessing advanced technologies to foster economic growth, enhance public services, and empower communities, both developed and underserved.” He added that their joint efforts aim to promote a digital economy, sustainable development, and build digital capacity, driving meaningful change and unlocking new opportunities across the Arab states.
The partnership will also enhance digital capacity-building efforts through initiatives like the Arab Knowledge Project and promote sustainable development goals by actively engaging stakeholders and disseminating best practices. This will drive innovation and foster knowledge exchange by expanding strategic digital public-private collaborative efforts.
