Page 24 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

UNDP and e& Join Forces to Promote Digital Transformation for Sustainable
Development in The Arab States Region

The United Nations Development Program across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa— of the Arab Knowledge Project, part of
(UNDP) and e&, signed a cooperation leveraging its market leadership to harness UNDP’s FutureSkills4All initiative. e& Egypt
agreement on the sidelines of the 79th digital solutions to promote sustainable and UNDP are working to provide free
session of the UN General Assembly development, particularly in the realms of access to FutureSkills4All’s online courses.
to leverage digital technologies for AI, financial inclusion and digital capacity Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO, e& said: “We
sustainable development in the Arab building.” The new partnership will support are incredibly proud to partner with UNDP
States region. Cooperation will focus on the AI for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) on such vital initiatives. This collaboration
enhancing digital inclusion to bridge digital platform –one of the lead initiatives of represents an integral step towards
divides; promoting transition to a digital the D4SD partnership— by providing harnessing advanced technologies to foster
economy, focusing on enabling solutions transformative digital solutions, data, and economic growth, enhance public services
for medium, small and micro enterprises technical support to promote the ethical and empower communities, both developed
(MSMEs); expanding the use of artificial use of AI for the public good in key areas and underserved. By working across these
intelligence (AI) for climate resilience, and related to the pursuit of the SDGs. It will also initiatives to promote a digital economy,
fostering robust public-private partnerships support the development of the Climate & sustainable development and build digital
for digital cooperation—under the rubric of Natural Disaster Crises (CNDC) Platform, capacity, we aim to drive meaningful
the Digital for Sustainable Development aimed at improving resilience to climate- change and unlock new opportunities
(D4SD) initiative, which UNDP is leading related challenges like floods, earthquakes, across the Arab states. Together, we are
alongside key partners in the region. “The and droughts through AI-powered insights committed to creating a more inclusive,
pursuit of the Sustainable Development and data visualization tools. e& will also sustainable, and resilient future for all." The
Goals in the Arab States region requires work with UNDP on pilots in Egypt through partnership will also boost digital capacity
urgent action at scale, which requires its subsidiary, Erada Microfinance focusing building efforts through initiatives like
expanded and effective partnerships, on increasing financial inclusion and the Arab Knowledge Project and promote
especially with the business sector,” women entrepreneurship in Egypt’s Upper sustainable development goals through
said Abdallah Al-Dardari, UN Assistant Region, accelerating SDGs implementation active stakeholder engagement and the
Secretary General and Director of the through developing accessible health dissemination of best practices, driving
Regional Bureau for Arab States in UNDP. insurance products, green transformation innovation and fostering knowledge
“We value this new partnership with the e& and financing of risk facilities. The exchange through expanding strategic
as an eminent provider of digital services cooperation will also extend the reach digital public-private collaborative efforts.

24 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2024