Rome, Italy, 24July 2023 – A meeting in Rome, between Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) President, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, and United Nations Secretary General, H.E. Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment focused on reaffirming commitments to advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening collaboration between IsDB Group and UN specialized agencies.
At the meeting, Dr. Al Jasser reiterated IsDB Group’s unwavering commitment to serve its member countries, which span across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He highlighted the Bank’s active role in supporting socio-economic development and improving the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts to achieve SDGs, Dr. Al Jasser stated: “It is essential to continue combining our thoughts and efforts and coordinate our actions to yield more benefits to our member countries, especially in the context of helping them achieve SDGs.”
During the meeting, both leaders recognized the importance of continued coordination and joint efforts to maximize development impacts for member countries. Dr. Al Jasser reaffirmed IsDB’s commitment broaden collaborations with various UN specialized agencies, including UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, UNOPS, WHO, IFAD, FAO, UN-Habitat, and UNOSSC, among others. The collaborations are aimed at delivering concrete programs and projects that align with the development priorities of IsDB member countries, with a strong emphasis on open and innovative collaboration ideas.
In line with IsDB Group’s dedication to increasing its global presence and relevance, President Al Jasser announced his intention to further raise the Bank’s profile at international forums, notably at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York this September.
On Islamic Social Financing (ISF), Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser acknowledged the continued engagement between IsDB and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA), reaffirming the Bank’s steadfast commitment to addressing critical social challenges.
IsDB has partnered with UNICEF on the Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children. The collaborative fund was launched at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2019, and both institutions have already approved three projects in Bangladesh, Jordan, and Pakistan, which are currently under implementation.
Dr. Al Jasser emphasized IsDB’s groundbreaking achievements as the first Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) to appoint an envoy specifically for the SDGs and the establishment of an SDGs Community of Practice (CoP). These initiatives reflect the Bank’s unwavering dedication to aligning its programs and operations with the SDGs and the broader 2030 Agenda.
The meeting between IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser and UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres marks a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between IsDB and the United Nations in pursuit of global development objectives.
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