The Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Vice President (Finance), Zamir Iqbal, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Joint Action Plan to enhance the strategic partnership between the two institutions and to provide adequate support to member countries in Asia and the Pacific region.
The new comprehensive MoU with Joint Action Plan will facilitate sustainable transport connectivity and trade through digitalization; road safety awareness, knowledge sharing, and capacity building; low-carbon, climate change resilient development; science, technology, and innovation policy support and capacity building, including using space applications and GIS for decision making. It will also enhance the SDG implementation in cities, including urban sector policies; ICT, digital connectivity, technology applications, data management, and transformation; energy transition and cross-border power systems connectivity, including green and smart grids; leaving no one behind with a focus on women’s entrepreneurship; south-south and triangular cooperation; and economic research and statistical capacity development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the IsDB Headquarters, ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said she was pleased to be in Jeddah to physically sign the Memorandum of Understanding with a Joint Action Plan that will improve the standard of living of vulnerable communities and common member countries of both institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. She highlighted that the renewal of the MOU and its expanded scope of work brings hope that we can manage to move forward together, in spite of the multiple risks facing the region.
IsDB Vice President Zamir Iqbal expressed satisfaction on the preexisting cooperation between the two organizations. He said ‘’the two institutions have undertaken substantial work to provide platforms for sharing technical know-how and expertise to solve development challenges.’’
Ms. Alisjahbana also delivered a lecture entitled: “Regaining Momentum in Asia-Pacific SDG Implementation” to IsDB staff members. In her presentation, she emphasized how ESCAP is catalyzing sustainable development efforts by supporting countries in preparing for future crises, accelerating decarbonization of the economy, strengthening resilient connectivity and aligning public and private finance.
