United Nations Development Programme

19.12.2012 - UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Mr Frode Mauring visits project sites in Gaza: UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Mr Frode Mauring accompanied by the Representatives of India, Brazil and South Africa, visited the project site of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Hospital in Gaza. The project, funded by the governments of India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA), through UNDP consists of the rehabilitation of nine partially or totally destroyed floors and aims at enhancing access to public health and social services for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. During the site visit, Dr. Khalil Abu Fuul, the Director of the Crisis Management Unit at PRCS, briefed the delegation on the ongoing status of work and highlighted that 65% of the project components has been completed. Furthermore, Mr Mauring, together with the Representative of Brazil, Mr Paulo Franca, visited the Sekka Bridge to check the damages caused as a result of the recent Israeli military offensive on Gaza. The “Construction of Al-Sekka Bridge” project was completed in October 2012, implemented by UNDP and funded by the Government of Brazil.

19.12.2012 - The United Nations Development Programme, the Ministry of Justice, the General Personnel Council and Birzeit University’s Institute of Law and Centre for Continuing Education celebrate the graduation of 51 civil servants who concluded the “Legal and Management Skills” training programme as part of UNDP’s Rule of Law and Access to Justice Programme to develop the capacities of the Palestinian ministries’ staff.The training has been accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and thus the graduates have achieved a formal higher qualification. In her opening speech, UNDP Deputy Special Representative of the Administrator, Ms. Yasmine Sherif stressed on the importance of this systemized training programme which is part of the Ministry of Justice’s training strategy, developed in 2011 by the Ministry and supported by UNDP, to scale up the capacities of Palestinian institutions through the integration of management and legal skills. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ali Muhanna, Minister of Justice, H.E. Musa Abu Zaid, Chairman of the General Personnel Council, Dr. Khalil Hindi, President of Birzeit University, Dr. Jamil Salem, Director of the Institute of Law at Birzeit University and Ms. Yasmine Sherif, UNDP Deputy Special Representative of the Administrator. See Photos from the event

30.11.2012 - Increasing access to sustainable energy - OFID contributes to UNDP’s initiative on renewable energy in Gaza: The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the United Nations Development Programme signed an agreement worth USD529,300 to co-finance the Renewable Energy Generation through Solar Panels project in the Gaza Strip. Through the project, UNDP will provide renewable energy sources as a sustainable solution to address the needs of the energy sector in the Gaza strip. Read More

06.11.2012 - Palestinian Legislative Council Staff Attend Workshop on Policy Analysis with Support from UNDP and EU: The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), in cooperation with the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme held a graduation ceremony for PLC staff members who completed the policy analysis training programme. The training is implemented in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). By the end of the training, the 31 trained personnel, 13 of whom are women, will be equipped with practical tools in order to provide MP’s with independent expertise during deliberations and assist them in making informed decisions on selecting policies and overseeing the work of the Government. Mr Ibrahim Khraisheh, PLC Secretary General, Mr Sergio Piccolo, EU Head of Operations and Mr Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator attended the ceremony that took place at PLC offices in Ramallah. Read UNDP Speech and See Photos from the event

01.11.2012 - Under the auspices of H.E Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Jerusalem Development and Investment Co. (JEDICO), UNDP and FAO launched the  “National Product First” initiative in Ramallah. The initiative aims at promoting national production and marketing and distributing them locally and internationally. The project targets women cooperatives and businesses who will now be able to sell their products to the hotels and restaurants in the occupied Palestinian territory. The ceremony also included signing a memorandum of understanding between UNDP, FAO, JEDICO and the Ministry of Agriculture, with the presence of Prime Minister Fayyad, H.E. Minister Walid Assaf, Chairman of PADICO Muneeb Al Masri, Sameer Huleileh representing JEDICO and Cyril Ferrand representing FAO. Read UNDP Speech and See Photos from the event

25.09.2012 - Under the Auspices of the Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development (MOPAD), the Government of Sweden and UNDP sign a USD 13.6 million agreement to support projects in Area C and East Jerusalem: This Palestinian-owned programme facility is led by MOPAD, facilitated by UNDP and implemented in partnership with civil society organizations in cooperation with other line Ministries and Authorities.  The Programme aims at improving the living conditions of the Palestinian population by focusing on community infrastructure, protection of natural resources, income generation and human rights. The signing ceremony was in the presence of Mr Axel Wernhoff, Consul General of Sweden and Mr Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator.

25.09.2012 - The United Nations Development Programme and the General Personnel Council celebrates the graduation of 30 civil servants who concluded Lunix, Oracle and Java training courses at Al Quds Open University in Ramallah. The training comes as part of the UNDP/GPC support to develop a Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS) in cooperation with relevant ministries and ensure the sustainability of the web portal established also through the project. The ceremony was attended by Mr Musa Abu Zaid, Chairman of GPC, Dr Younis Amr, President of Al Quds Open University, and Mr Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. See Photos and Speech by UNDP. Read UNDP Speech

11.09.2012 - UNDP opens a workshop on the enforcemnet of Environmental legislation in Ramallah: UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Mr Frode Mauring, H.E. Dr Yousef Abu Safeyieh, Minister of Environment Affairs opened a workshop today to discuss rule of law and environmental justice through the enforcement of legislations in the occupied Palestinian territory, and exchange experience with Jordanian experts on the enforcement of environmental legislations. The workshop is part of a project funded by the Swedish International Development Agency, through UNDP, for the amount of USD 703,118. During the workshop Mr Mauring highlighted that environmental sustainability underpins long-term sustainable economic and social development. “The effective enforcement of a sound environmental law and policy can only be achieved through good governance” he added.  

11.09.2012 - Rebuilding a Dream - The Government of Japan and UNDP handed over houses to families in Gaza: Today 120 families are the proud owners of houses handed over to them by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme in Khan Younis. The USD 5 million project comes as a response to the non-refugee families who lost their homes in Rafah and Khan Younis during the last incursion. The project included the construction of 120 housing units in 20 buildings and generated over 60,000 workdays. The ceremony was attended by Mr Hideaki Yamamoto, Deputy Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority, Yasmine Sherif, UNDP Deputy Special Representative and representatives from 20 families, attended the ceremony at UNDP offices in Gaza.More

04.09.2012 - UNDP Special Representative visits project sites in Til village in Nablus. UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Mr Frode Mauring, visited projects implemented by the Global Environment Facility (GEF SGP) through the Biodiversity and Environmental Research Centre today. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the quality and sustainability of UNDP/GEF implemented projects and the tools UNDP can deploy to protect the environment. The visit also included a brief on the conservation of medicinal plants, promoting its sustainable use and documenting its indigenous knowledge, in addition to a visit to Til botanic garden, also implemented through the UNDP/GEF programme. UNDP/GEF programme provides a win-win opportunity for reducing poverty through income-generation activities while addressing environmental concerns.   See the photos from the visit

30.08.2012 - UNDP and PACC Sign a USD 270,000 Agreement to Enhance Anti-Corruption Efforts:The Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in the presence of the European Union Co-ordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS), signed an agreement worth USD 270,000 to enhance anti-corruption efforts and increase citizen’s participation in the occupied Palestinian territory. The agreement aims at supporting the implementation of the national anti-corruption strategy; conducting a comprehensive public perception survey; and initiating a major public awareness campaign. More

15.08.2012 - UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator Mr Frode Mauring met with H.E. Rula Maiah, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities on 15 August 2012 in Bethlehem. During the meeting, Mr Mauring reiterated UNDP’s commitment to the development of tourism especially that it is one of the main income generating sectors in the occupied Palestinian territory. UNDP’s work in supporting the tourism sector is through the restoration and rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites and improvement of touristic areas and networks, in addition to training and capacity development.

01.08.2012 - Sustainable energy for the future - UNDP signs an agreement to support the Palestinian Solar Initiative: The Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority, the Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development and the United Nations Development Programme signed an agreement worth USD 50,000 to support the Palestinian Solar Initiative (PSI). The Initiative addresses social, economic and environmental objectives to tackle poverty and promote sustainable development through an integrated energy solutions model. “UNDP appreciates the partnership with PENRA and MOPAD and welcomes this initiative as a model example that will be replicated and scaled up with a goal of achieving access to energy for the Palestinian people” said Yasmine Sherif, acting UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. More

04.07.2012 - UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, opened a workshop to discuss the Draft components of the environmental management plan under the capacity building project. The project, funded by the Swedish Development Agency for the amount of SEK 4.8 million and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Environmental Affairs (MENA), will strengthen the Ministry’s regulatory role and enhance its capacity through the development of regulations, guidelines, and monitoring and inspection systems. Ms Yasmine Sherif, UNDP Deputy Special Representative of the Administrator, highlighted UNDP commitment to support the Palestinian Authority’s responsiveness towards environmental sustainability and the achievement of a green economy. She also shed light on the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development in relation to the occupied Palestinian territory.

20.06.2012, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Going beyond GDP, UNDP proposes human development measure of sustainability: In a high-level forum at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development today the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presented the conceptual groundwork for a future “Sustainable Human Development Index,” which would recognize the cost of human development to future generations. "Equity, dignity, happiness, sustainability – these are all fundamental to our lives but absent in the GDP," Helen Clark said today. "Progress needs to be defined and measured in a way, which accounts for the broader picture of human development and its context." More. Find out more on Rio+20

11.06.2012 - UNDP concludes Leadership and Media Workshops on HIV and AIDS in the Gaza Strip: 40 journalists and 60representative from the national HIV and AIDS committee, UN agencies, civil society and government institutions completed a three-day workshop on strengthening the response to HIV and AIDS in the occupied Palestinian territory. The workshop aimed at providing broad areas of training to strengthen the role of UN organizations and partners, from local and national institutions, in response to HIV and AIDS. The workshop also developed the participants’ leadership skills in order to reduce the stigma and convey accurate messages and facts on HIV and AIDS in the occupied Palestinian territory.  More

04.06.2012 - UNDP and UN Volunteers Mark World Environment Day by Cleaning the Shores of Gaza: UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, in partnership with the United Nations Volunteers programme in the occupied Palestinian territory, marked World Environment Day with a beach cleaning campaign in the Gaza Strip. Over 1000 volunteers participated in the cleaning of four beaches, Jabaliya, Gaza, Nuseirat, and Deir al-Balah. The campaign is funded by the Government of Japan, through the job creation programme, and implemented in cooperation with six local partners. The campaign, which is part of a series of activities organized throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip, aims at encouraging volunteerism and commitment to protecting the environment. More in English and in Arabic

29.05.2012 - Swedish Minister of Development Visits UNDP Projects in Jerusalem: Gunilla Carlsson, Swedish Development Minister, accompanied by UNDP Deputy Special Representative, Yasmine Sherif, visited two UNDP projects in Jerusalem on Monday 28 May 2012. There she was able to meet with Palestinian boutique and grocery owners who benefited from the UNDP Deprived families Economic Empowerment Programme funded by the Islamic Development Bank. The programme, aimed at strengthening livelihoods and economic self-reliance for poor families, assisted over 8,560 families who are now generating approximately USD 17-20 million in income annually. Approximately 37% of the project owners are women entrepreneurs and 12,000 job opportunities have been created through the programme.

21.05.2012 - Building Partnerships for a Better Future: UNDP Deputy Special Representative Ms Yasmine Sherif, accompanied by a technical advisory team, met with the ALIF Group of Ambassadors at the Malaysian Residence in Amman. As the guest speaker, Ms. Sherif presented UNDP’s Development for Freedom Consolidated Plan of Assistance for 2012-2014 and the development challenges facing the occupied Palestinian territory. The Malaysian Ambassador to Jordan, H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malek Bin Abdul Aziz, who hosted the ALIF Luncheon, along with the Brunei Darussalam Ambassador to Jordan, H.E. Dato Haji Abdul Mokti Hj Mohd Daud, as Dean of the ALIF Group, warmly welcomed UNDP’s presentation and consolidated plan of assistance. The luncheon comes as part of UNDP’s efforts to enhance cooperation with the ALIF Partners in support of sustainable human development in the occupied Palestinian territory. The luncheon was also attended by the Ambassadors of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela.

13.05.2012 - Deputy Special Representative of Operations, Mr. Khaled Shahwan, participated in the graduation of 40 students from the Rosary school in Jerusalem after they completed a dynamic programme on the principles, laws and conventions of human rights. The ceremony included speeches by the headmaster and UNDP Deputy Special Representative (O) and a presentation by the students summarizing what they have learned in the areas of human rights, child rights, discrimination against women, torture, refugees, human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory and the rights of minority. “Continue learning and gaining knowledge because this is what will benefit you in the future. I am proud to hear that our students are well informed about the UN and the international laws and conventions" said Khaled Shahwan, UNDP Deputy Special Representative of Operations.

17.04.2012 - The Governments of India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA), through UNDP Launch the Rehabilitation Phase of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society Hospital in Gaza:As part of their continuing effort to combat poverty and hunger, representatives from India, Brazil and South Africa, UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRSC) signed an agreement in the amount of one million Dollars to rehabilitate the PRCS building in the Gaza Strip. The project consists of the rehabilitation of nine partially or totally destroyed floors to be utilized for an open heart surgery unit, patients recovery rooms, psychosocial support, hostel for local and international staff as well as a cafeteria and an administrative department. The ceremony concluded with a tour of the damaged building and with the representatives from IBSA and UNDP painting on the wall to symbolize the beginning of the rehabilitation project. More

09.04.2012 - UNDP Sends Four Electrical Transformers to Gaza with Funds from the Islamic Developmet Bank: UNDP, in cooperation with the Palestinian Energy Authority was able to deliver four electrical transformers and new extension pay equipment to rehabilitate the Electricity Transfer Station in the west of the Gaza Strip. This is part of a UNDP project funded by the Islamic Development Bank for USD 3 million to assemble, test and commission the transformers and the extension pay equipment. The new equipment is expected to raise the capacity of the Electricity Transfer Station from 80 to 120 Megawatts, increasing its ability to absorb the output generated by the Gaza Power Plant (GPP). While the Gaza Strip needs approximatly 350 Megawatts of electricity, the GPP produces 120-140 Megawatts, supplemented by another 120 Megawatts bought from Israel, and 22 Megawatts supplied from Egypt. Therefore, the current electricity supply suffices two-thirds of the Gaza Strip's demand.

25.03.2012 - Palestinian Authority Committed to Strengthening Palestinian Police Accountability:Officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and international partners opened a four-day workshop entitled Strengthening Palestinian Police Accountability together with the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS) at the Red Crescent Conference Centre in Ramallah. This initiative will also establish the basis for a National Strategy on Civil Police Accountability in line with the Palestinian Authority’s national and international commitments and inspire the PCP through sharing best practices on police accountability systems and mechanisms worldwide.More

22.03.2012 - Urgent international action needed to combat social inequalities and environmental risks, UN Secretary-General tells Istanbul Forum:Social justice and environmental protection are equally urgent and intrinsically linked universal goals, with coordinated global action needed on both fronts at the UN’s ‘Rio+20’ Conference on Sustainable Development in June, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message to an audience of development experts, civil society leaders and government officials at the first Global Human Development Forum here today. More

20.03.2012 - The Government of Germany and UNDP represented by Yasmine Sherif, Deputy Special Representative signed a 4 million Euro agreement for the implementation of 27 projects to create thousands of short-term employment opportunities and improve the lives of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday 20 March 2012. The agreement is part of a EURO 83.5 million Employment Generation Programme funded by the Government of Germany through KFW and implemented by UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People.

20.03.2012 - UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, represented by UNDP Deputy Special Representative Yasmine Sherif signed nine partnership agreements with civil society organizations on Tuesday 20 March 2012 in the Gaza Strip. The agreements are part of UNDP’s Rule of Law Programme implemented to build the capacities of civil society organizations in the Gaza Strip to provide sustainable legal services, including legal information, legal advice and legal representation to vulnerable groups. So far 12 agreements have been signed in 2012, making the number of ongoing partnerships with the Rule of Law programme in Gaza to 24 with a total budget of USD 2 million.

15.03.2012 – UNDP Youth Dialogue on Decent Work and Employment in the occupied Palestinian territory: The United Nations Development Programme, ILO, UNFPA and SHAREK Youth Forum in cooperation with the Ministry of labour organized a discussion with Palestinian youth on decent work in the occupied Palestinian territory. The event gave the youth a forum to discuss employment policies as well as skill and professional development. Cases of success stories and lessons learnt were shared with the audience in addition to employment policies. The closing session was a summation of the day and a discussion led by panel members H.E. Ahmad Majdalani, Minister of labour, Ali Mhana, Chamber of Commerce, Mounir Kleibo, ILO Representative, Saher Saed, Palestine General Federation of Labor Unions and Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative.

15.03.2012 – UNDP’s Special Representative of the Administrator Frode Mauring met with Secretary General of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Ibrahim Khraishy to discuss progress on the Support to the Legislatice Council Secretariate Project. The EUR 1.4 million project, funded by the EU, is designed to strengthen the PLC Secretariat and assist in preparing operational plans following the resumption of its parliamentary work, addressing procedural, legislative and administrative challenges.

14.03.2012 – Second Arab Knowledge Report addresses future generations: The Arab Knowledge Report 2010-2011, launched today, is the second in a series of reports that the United Nations Development Programme is jointly producing with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF). This year’s report addresses the crucial issue of preparing future generations for the knowledge society. The report suggests a mechanism for movement towards preparing the future generations which included four basic elements of: the willingness to act (political, societal, innovation), the ability to act (including addressing political, legislative societal impediments), how to act (building and adopting appropriate methodologies and approaches) and last but not least securing the prerequisites of action (institutions, social, economic and financial).Review the Report

22.02.2012 – UNDP launches its consolidated plan of assistance for Gaza: Mr. Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator announced the Gaza in Focus plan for 2012 – 2014 on Wednesday 22 February 2012 during a meeting with representatives from the donor community in the Gaza Strip. Within the plan, UNDP reaffirms its commitment to the population of Gaza to lay the foundations for a sustainable and lasting recovery.  As a result, UNDP will expand the scope of its development activities to increase self-reliance and resilience within the population of the Gaza Strip by addressing the areas of democratic governance, poverty reduction, environment and public and social infrastructure.