UNDP, Egypt’s INP partner to advance, localize SDGs

22 / 09 / 2023

By Marwa Nassar - -

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Egypt’s Institute of National Planning (INP) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable development, evidence-based research, and innovation in Egypt.

Under the deal, both sides are commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of their development initiatives. Areas of collaboration include joint research on key policy areas, with a focus on localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and measurement of local Human Development Indices (HDIs), amongst others.

It also encompasses the establishment of a strategic innovation framework to support governmental organizations in becoming more innovative and resilient, the creation of an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at INP, and joint efforts on entrepreneurship and innovation activities at INP.

UNDP and INP will also collaborate on programs for Results-Based Management and Evaluation, thereby enhancing national and regional capacities, while also formulating and accrediting National/Regional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) certificates and training programs.

From his side, President of the National Institute of Planning (INP) Dr. Ashraf El-Arabi, reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing collaboration with international organizations in Egypt’s development arena. “We are dedicated to conducting research, studies, consultations, training programs, and academic qualification initiatives in planning and development. We also seek strategic partnerships to enrich our programs, and we acknowledge the crucial role of the United Nations Development Program in supporting Egypt’s development priorities. We anticipate that this partnership will significantly impact Egypt’s sustainable development by leveraging the expertise and resources of both the UNDP and the National Planning Institute,” he said.

Further collaboration will involve exploring partnerships with global universities to jointly grant master’s degrees in Monitoring and Evaluation with INP, conducting collaborative research and events on various development issues, including environment and climate change, and participating in joint intellectual events on policy and development topics, such as action-oriented research, webinars, conventions, campaigns, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

“UNDP and INP share a longstanding partnership, dating back to the ’90s. Today’s signing ceremony reaffirms our commitment to evidence-based sustainable development and innovation in Egypt. Our shared approach prioritizes data and research to inform policies, focusing on poverty reduction, equality, and sustainability. Together, we’ll work to advance the SDGs, leveraging expertise and resources to drive transformative change, foster innovation, and strengthen evaluation capacities in Egypt,” said Alessandro Fracassetti, UNDP Egypt Resident Representative.

This strategic partnership is poised to make a significant impact on Egypt’s sustainable development landscape by harnessing the expertise and resources of UNDP and the Institute of National Planning.