UN Development Group affirms support for Arab region – UNDP press release (excerpts)

United Nations Development Group affirms support for Arab Region at a “turning point”

Amman, 14 October – Today the regional leadership of the United Nations Development Group met in Amman and confirmed its support for the Arab States, Middle East and North Africa region at the critical juncture it faces.

“We meet today at a turning point, between progress and crisis, between development and regression, between a brighter future and a darkness that is terrible to contemplate,” said Sima Bahous, Chair of the Regional United Nations Development Group. “We come together today to ensure that this turning point we face, is a turning point for the better.”

The United Nations Development Group is the body that coordinates and guides the development work of all development agencies funds and programmes of the United Nations System. For the last three years the UNDG has increasingly upgraded its support for the Arab States, Middle East and North Africa region, with a special focus on countries that are pursuing courses of change or are seeking to cope with or recover from crisis.
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Delegates also discussed the outcome of the Gaza Reconstruction Conference held in Cairo on 12 October, and outlined United Nations Development Group plans to support a rapid recovery for Gaza. Donors pledged US$5.4 billion to support the effort, while also noting that political commitment on all sides will be every bit as necessary as financial support.

“The people of Gaza deserve to live in dignity,” said Ms. Bahous. “It is a responsibility we all share.”

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Contact Information

In Cairo: Noeman AlSayyad noeman.alSayyad@undp.org

In New York: Theodore Murphy theodore.murphy@undp.org