Month: May 2023

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 12^th May 2023 – The Government of Guyana and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the process for preparing the IsDB Group 2023-2025 Country Engagement Framework (CEF) for the country.

This marks a significant milestone in the fruitful and even more promising cooperation between the Islamic Development Bank Group, the AAA-rated Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) of the Global South, and the Government of Guyana. Guyana stands as the latest country to join the IsDB in 2016 as its 57^th member country.

During the ceremony, IsDB President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, and Guyana’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni K. Singh, who is also IsDB Alternate Governor for the country, saw the two sides put their signatures to an MoU which defines the structure of this new CEF.

The IsDB Group’s Regional Hub of Paramaribo & Suriname, in leading the CEF exercise, will work closely with the Government of Guyana to ensure that national priorities are precedent in the resulting programming outlined in the CEF.

This new CEF will be built on two pillars: 1) Green, Resilient & Sustainable Infrastructure which will be operationalized through the Energy, Transport, Water, and Affordable Housing sectors, and 2) Supporting Economic Diversification & Doing Business implemented via the ICT, TVET, Digital, Agro-Industry, Tourism, Mining, Inclusive financing of the economy and SMEs sectors.

These pillars and the sectoral focus areas were selected through a participative process between the Islamic Development Bank Group, the Government of Guyana, and relevant private sector stakeholders.

Guyana is the latest country to join The Group with promising perspectives ahead to extend cooperation. Since the approval of its first operation in 2016, total financing in Guyana has reached US$ 235.1 million without operations from Entities which will surely be heightened over the coming years. IDB has so far mainly funded projects in agriculture, energy, and education but intends to improve developmental impacts through the CEF and by leveraging the Group wide’s effort. The Islamic Development Bank Group is committed to supporting the Government of Guyana’s efforts to deliver broad-based, inclusive, and sustainable economic development. Upon signing this MoU, discussions will continue with the Government of Guyana to determine a straightforward work program with a well-defined timeline under the umbrella of the CEF.

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 May 2023 – We must leverage the technological disruptions along with the ethical principles of Islamic finance to foster inclusive development, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, said.

Dr. Al Jasser made the statement in a keynote speech during the 17th IsDB Global Forum on Islamic Finance, held on 12 May 2023 in conjunction with the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The forum was organized by the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), the knowledge beacon of the IsDB Group, with the theme ‘Disruptive Solutions for a Resilient Economy’.

Dr. Al Jasser noted that the world is facing a myriad of dynamic challenges that added pressure on policymakers to explore innovative means to address these challenges.

“We must embrace this ‘disruption’ and integrate it with our business processes to create effective solutions for our member countries. Combining modern technology’s efficiencies with the sustainable and ethical principles of Islamic economics can result in championing product solutions that can help tackle various global economic challenges,” Dr. Al Jasser said.

“We at the IsDB Group believe, more than ever, that joining hands and teaming with partners is essential for finding innovative solutions to various challenges facing us today,” he added.

However, the IsDB Group Chairman cautioned that any disruptive development needs to be backed by proper oversight, governance, and monitoring mechanisms that anticipate potential instability issues.

“In this regard, I would like to emphasize the role of the IsDB Institute in searching for innovative solutions that can help us address the challenges facing our member countries and Muslim communities worldwide,” he said.

Book on IsDB’s History Launched

During the opening session of the forum, Dr. Al Jasser and President Emeritus of IsDB, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Ali, performed the launching of the book titled “The Islamic Development Bank and Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Ali: History of an Institution and Journey of a President’’. The book documents the historical evolution of the IsDB from its establishment in 1975 till the retirement of Dr. Ahmad Ali in 2016.

Dr. Al Jasser extended his gratitude to Dr. Ahmad Ali for attending the forum and praised him for being the legendary champion of development and for leading IsDB to be a world-class multinational development bank.

In his remarks, Dr. Ahmad Ali said the remarkable success of the IsDB Group is attributable to the confidence of the Member Countries and the faith of employees in its mission. He noted that the Bank has transformed into a great institution leading development projects in 57 Member Countries, in addition to 78 non-Member Countries, with total financial approvals of more than US$ 170 billion by the end of 2022.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Acting Director General of IsDB Institute, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, thanked Dr. Al Jasser and Dr. Ali for attending the forum. He appreciated the inspiring lessons they both embody for the institution and the wider society.

Before the book launch, there was also the launching of a report entitled ‘Islamic Financial Services Industry Development Ten-Year Framework and Strategies: A Final Review’. The report is a joint initiative of the IsDB Institute and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB). IFSB Secretary General, Dr. Bello Danbatta, gave a brief on the findings of the report.

Experts Discuss Disruptive Solutions

The opening session of the forum was followed by two panel sessions in which senior financial technology and innovation leaders discussed the prospects of technological disruptions in fostering resilient economies.

In the first panel, the experts focused on how current and future applications of digital vouchers could help create a more financially inclusive society.

Speakers in the panel were Dr. Mohamad Hammour, Chairman and MD of Guidance Financial Group, and Member of IsDBI’s Board of Trustees; Mr. Rami Alkarmi, Executive Chairman, Ab(new)normal Ventures, and Member of IsDBI’s Board of Trustees; and Dr. Pater D. Holden, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Beyond Limits Inc.

The second panel discussed the structure of the Sukuk Enhancement Fund (SEF) as a product that aims to support the Islamic finance ecosystems in IsDB member countries.

Speakers in this session were Dr. Suminto Sastrosuwito, Director General of Budget Financing and Risk Management, Ministry of Finance, Indonesia; Mr. Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, CEO, International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM); and Ms. Sabeen Saleem, CEO, of Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA). The forum was co-organized with three knowledge partners: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Effat University, and University of Business and Technology (UBT), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 May 2023 – The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group and the Government of Niger launched the IsDB Group Revamped Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS) for Niger on 12 May 2023, in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The launching ceremony took place on the sidelines of the IsDB Group Board of Governors’ Annual Meeting in Jeddah on Friday 12 May 2023, under the auspices of IsDB President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, in the presence of a delegation from Niger led by H.E. Dr. Rabiou Abdou, the IsDB Governor for Niger.

In his address, H.E. President Al Jasser expressed satisfaction over the level of cooperation between Niger and the IsDB Group appreciating the Government of Niger for the solid support provided to the Bank.

While signing the MoU, H.E. Dr. Rabiou Abdou, IsDB Governor for Niger commended IsDB Group’s important contributions in support of development efforts in his country and assured that the Government of Niger will take necessary actions to speed up the implementation of the MCPS and the IsDB portfolio in the country.

The IsDB MCPS for Niger is a four-year strategy document (2023-2026) that focuses on two main pillars in addition to a cross-cutting area:

Pillar 1: Building Inclusive Human Capital – The strategic objectives of the pillar are to enhance human capital development for all Nigeriens in all regions of the country. The pillar aims to address human capital development for women who lag far behind and tackle regional inequalities by also focusing on disadvantaged regions. More specifically the pillar will place a special emphasis on education because it is one of the fundamental challenges the country is facing, and it is one of the key agendas of H.E., The President of Niger. Pillar 1 cascades to three focus areas: (1) enhancing school infrastructure, (2) improving teachers’ quality, (3), widening education access for girls.

Pillar 2: Supporting Economic Transformation – The objective of the pillar is to promote inclusive economic growth by structurally developing the industrial and sectoral levers of the economy. The key focus areas of this pillar are strengthening food security by enhancing agricultural value chains, promoting trade and private sector participation, improving rural roads, and boosting energy access and efficient water systems.

Cross-Cutting Area – This part of the strategy will focus on enhancing capacities to implement the interventions identified in the MCPS. Given the country context, the capacity development focus area will aim to build up the fiduciary capabilities of Niger in project financial management, procurement, and disbursement.

More specifically, the capacity development will consist of (i) Capacity Building in Fiduciary, Piloting Interventions, and Reverse Linkage (ii) Promoting Regional Equality, (iii) Promoting and Widening Access to Islamic Finance, (iv) Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, (v) Improving Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth.

Since joining IsDB in 1978, the IsDB Group has approved a total of US$ 981 million for Niger in different sectors including Transport, Water & Sanitation, Agriculture, Education, Finance, and Health. As of 12 May 2023, the IsDB active portfolio comprises 23 active operations for a total amount of US$555 million.

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 May 2023 – Under the auspices of HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), an Implementation Partner (IP) agreement was signed today between the IsDB, as the Trustee of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide life-saving food aid to the people of Afghanistan.

The IP agreement was signed by Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, and WFP  UAE Country Director and Representative for the GCC Region, Mageed Yahia on the sidelines of the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The signing event was attended by senior representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), IsDB member countries, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, as well as guests.

IsDB President HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser said: “This is a landmark agreement, as it allows us to address the severe food insecurity the most vulnerable families in Afghanistan are grappling with. We are on track to providing food assistance to around 38,000 brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. I hope this project will lay the foundations and be a stepping-stone to enable the communities to seek alternate opportunities for self-reliance. AHTF was established to promote self-reliance, and together with other partners, we can reach that goal. On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center for their USD 10 million contributions to the AHTF.”

As per the IP Agreement, the AHTF will extend a grant of USD 3,221,985 to WFP to provide in-kind food rations to the poorest, vulnerable, and needy members of the community who are unable to afford their essentials. The AHTF grant funding comes from the contribution of KSrelief.

The AHTF grant will provide 2,987 metric tons (mt) of emergency food assistance to support 37,901 people (5,414 households) for six months. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has left many families grappling with severe food insecurity and an acute lack of access to essential resources due to extreme poverty, severely limiting their purchasing power. The project aims to provide food assistance to the vulnerable people in the country, especially in areas affected by acute food crises (owing to drought), and protect livelihoods from asset stripping and loss of human capital. In addition, the project is a good example of effective partnerships.

On the IP Agreement, Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, stated: “Our main objective is to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. We are thankful to the OIC for mobilizing grant contributions from donors to deliver essential humanitarian aid to those most in need. In collaboration with World Food Programme, we believe we can make a meaningful difference in alleviating the suffering of vulnerable individuals and families in Afghanistan.”

With this grant, AHTF is taking a critical step towards ensuring that the people of Afghanistan have access to the necessities needed for survival. This demonstrates a commitment to alleviating the suffering of those most affected by the crisis.

The AHTF serves as a vehicle to channel humanitarian assistance, address basic needs, and promote self-reliance and development in the country, following the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC at its 17^th Extraordinary Session held on 19 December 2021 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 May 2023 – With the world halfway into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development roadmap, the international community must step up its efforts and financing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), asserted leaders of key global institutions during a side event of the 2023 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group underway in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 10-13 May 2023.

In his opening remarks during the knowledge-sharing session entitled ‘Sustainable Development Disrupted: Advancing Impactful Partnerships to Rescue the SDGs,’ IsDB President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, said that the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic and political crises in Eastern Europe and within some of the member countries of the Bank have significantly impacted the progress toward achieving the SDGs by 2030, and as a result, the divide between the Global North and the South is getting wider.

“To address these challenges, we need to work hand-in-hand to craft the required policies and take swift and collective actions. An immediate step that all development partners must explore is the need for debt relief and debt restructuring initiatives for developing countries. International financial institutions, bilateral donors, and creditor countries all have a role to play in supporting debt sustainability efforts.”

H.E. Dr. Al Jasser, also called on the international community to renew its efforts to increase public-private partnership investments and alternative financing mechanisms, such as impact investing and blended finance, as well as Islamic finance. He emphasized the importance of economic diversification as a tool to create more stable and sustainable economies and new opportunities for job creation and innovation, as well as the need for supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Other keynote speakers at the event were H.E. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank; H.E. Dr. Hala Helmy El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and IsDB Governor of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Ms. Oulimata Sarr, Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation and IsDB Governor of the Republic of Senegal; Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed, Vice President, Operations, Asian Development Bank; Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Executive Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Mr. Zhongjing Wang, CEO, Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF).

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- 12 May 2023 – Under the auspices of HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank, an Implementation Partner (IP) agreement was signed today between the IsDB, as the Trustee of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the construction of 29 family health houses (FHHs) in Afghanistan.

The signing event, which took place on the sidelines of the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was attended by senior representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), IsDB member countries, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, as well as guests.

The project aims to improve maternal and child healthcare in Afghanistan’s remote rural areas by constructing 29 FHHs in collaboration with the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Afghanistan has one of the world’s highest infant mortality rates. According to UNFPA, thousands of Afghan women die every year from preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related complications.

“All the IP agreements signed today are important; however, this one touches my heart as the project aims to save the lives of our sisters and daughters in Afghanistan. No woman should die giving birth, and our joint efforts can reduce avoidable maternal mortality among Afghan women and girls.,” said HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser.

” On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center for their USD 10 million contributions to the AHTF”. he added.

The AHTF will provide a total of USD 504,000 to IOM to facilitate the construction of FHHs. This funding includes a contribution from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and USD 1,514,388 fromSTFA.

Under the project, IOM will lead the construction of the 29 FHHs in close coordination with the local communities. UNDP will provide solar energy and hot water systems. In addition, UNFPA will train midwives in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services and provide the FHHs with the necessary equipment, medicine, and furniture. To enhance grassroots ownership, the land for the FHHs was provided by the local community as an in-kind contribution. The 29 FHHs are expected to be completed within six months.

Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, said: “Afghanistan is confronted with a profound humanitarian crisis, with Afghan women and girls, the most vulnerable segment of society, especially in remote rural communities, bearing the brunt. By providing access to essential RMNCAH services in remote rural areas, this project contributes to the overall economic welfare of targeted communities.”

Othman Belbeisi, IOM Regional Director for MENA, stated: “I am very pleased to sign a new cooperation agreement on behalf of IOM with our valued partner, Islamic Development Bank, to strengthen our existing humanitarian alliance worldwide. This life-saving project is a milestone for Afghanistan’s health services in the targeted rural areas.”

For her part, Maria Moita, IOM Afghanistan Chief of Mission, indicated, “This funding will help thousands of mothers and children access critical healthcare and strengthen IOM’s humanitarian response in the country.”

“In Afghanistan’s remote areas, men can travel some distances to receive much-needed medical services, while many women report being unable to receive regular medical care as their movement is often restricted and these family health houses will provide the much-needed care closer to home,” she added.

The project aligns with the Global Agenda 2030 as it directly contributes to the progressive achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It targets women of reproductive age (15-49 years), adolescent girls, pregnant women, post-delivery women, and newborns. In addition, the FHHs will benefit the general population, including children (under the age of 5), other women, men, adolescent boys, and the elderly.

The AHTF serves as a vehicle to channel humanitarian assistance, address basic needs, and promote self-reliance and development in the country, following the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC at its 17^th Extraordinary Session held on 19 December 2021 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 May 2023 – Under the auspices of HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), an Implementation Partner (IP) agreement was signed today between the IsDB, as the Trustee of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), and the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees (DACAAR), for a project aimed at facilitating sustainable access to safe drinking water in underserved areas of Afghanistan.

The agreement was signed by Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, and John Paul Morse, Director of DACAAR, on the sidelines of the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The signing event was attended by senior representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), IsDB member countries, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, as well as guests.

IsDB President HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser stated: “The AHTF is a collective response of the OIC member countries to address a profound humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. I applaud this initiative, as it reflects the theme of our 2023 Annual Meetings. Together, we are stronger and assist each other better when crises occur. Our joint efforts will lift a burden off the shoulders of our sisters and brothers in Afghanistan by allowing them access to clean water and better health, with the eradication of waterborne diseases. On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center for their USD 10 million contributions to the AHTF”.”

“We look forward to the expeditious completion of this project addressing the basic needs of local communities in Afghanistan,” added the IsDB President.

The AHTF will extend a grant of USD 540,000 to DACAAR to provide beneficiaries from vulnerable communities in Afghanistan’s Kabul, Nangarhar, Faryab, and Kunduz provinces with sustainable access to safe, clean drinking water. The AHTF grant funding comes from the contribution of KSRelief.

The project, which is a good example of effective partnerships, will provide safe, clean drinking water to 13,300 beneficiaries in remote rural areas, including building capacities of those beneficiaries in WASH practices and Efficient Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of water management infrastructure. The project’s activities include the construction of solar-powered clean water pumping systems and piped networks with metered household connections to provide clean water for drinking and cooking, reducing the increasing rates of waterborne diseases, including Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) and cholera, prevalent in the target areas. The project is in line with i) SDG Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, ii) SDG Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, iii) SDG Goal 11: Promote Sustainable Cities, iv) SDG Goal 17: Partnerships for Goals and v) SDG Goal 5: Gender Equality.

A community-based maintenance system in the form of Water Management Committees (WMC) will be deployed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the operation. These social structures will be bound by the terms of formal agreements involving local Community Development Councils (CDCs). They will follow established procedures to care for and maintain the infrastructure sustainably. WMCs will ensure complete, equitable, and unhindered access to the water supply system for all beneficiary households and oversee the operation and maintenance activities funded through local community members. Through the WMC, the local beneficiary community will fully control their water supply system. The committee will consider the best interests of the users they represent. The community can always resort to the CDC for re-electing WMC members if they do not meet their obligations fully and responsibly or if some members drop out or retire.

On the IP agreement, Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, said: “We enter into this IP agreement alongside DACAAR with the utmost commitment to improving the lives of underprivileged communities through safe access to clean water for drinking and cooking. Through our role as an AHTF trustee, we will continue to work towards creating positive, tangible change across Afghanistan through various long-term humanitarian efforts.”

John Paul Morse, Director of DACAAR, indicated: “The partnership, the first of its kind with IsDB, comes at a particularly critical time for Afghans as their suffering has increased significantly due to the recent political upheavals and the marked reduction in developmental funding for the country. The clean water to be provided by the project will be a critical resource for benefiting Afghan households, positively impacting their health and well-being and increasing their resilience against future shocks.”

The IP agreement comes when access to clean drinking water remains a major challenge in Afghanistan. This lack of access to clean water has led to widespread waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever. Additionally, Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates worldwide due to inadequate healthcare facilities and limited access to essential healthcare services.

The AHTF serves as a vehicle to channel humanitarian assistance, address basic needs, and promote self-reliance and development in the country, following the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC at its 17^th Extraordinary Session held on 19 December 2021 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

JEDDAH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, 12 MAY 2023 – Under the auspices of HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development (IsDB), two agreements were signed between the IsDB, as the Trustee of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), and UNICEF for nearly US$ 2 million to provide clean water in rural Afghan communities and help treat children suffering from malnutrition. These AHTF grants come from King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) contributions.

The agreements were signed by Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, and Mr. Eltayeb Adam, the UNICEF Area Representative for the Gulf, during the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The signing event was attended by senior representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), IsDB member countries, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, as well as guests.

The two AHTF projects include:

• US$ 1 million for climate-resilient and sustainable water supply in Paktia and Logar provinces, targeting 32,000 people in 16 villages.
• US$ 953,301 for life-saving nutrition services in Kandahar Province, targeting 18,372 children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

IsDB President HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser stated that food and water are essentials for the survival of any human being. “These two projects aim to reduce malnutrition among children under five and provide clean, sustainable water resources to remote communities in Afghanistan. This support is much needed by our sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters of Afghanistan, and I am thrilled that IsDB, through AHTF, will be working with UNICEF to relieve their suffering and save lives. Saving lives requires a collective effort, and now is the time to act as a team for the benefit of the people in Afghanistan, he said.

According to the 2022 Whole of Afghanistan Assessment, 27 percent of the population is without access to safe drinking water. With these funds from AHTF, UNICEF will provide safe drinking water to 32,000 people in 16 remote villages in Logar and Paktia provinces through solar-powered water supply systems. UNICEF will also help establish and train 16 water user committees – one in each targeted village – to help manage the water systems. In addition, two mechanics per community will also be trained in the operation and maintenance of the water supply systems.

In Kandahar, 13 percent of acute malnutrition among children and women is above the emergency threshold. In 2023, UNICEF and the Nutrition Cluster will treat 35,075 severely, acutely malnourished children in Kandahar Province alone. These funds from AHTF will allow UNICEF to purchase ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to treat 18,372 children for severe acute malnutrition.

Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, said: “The lives of our Afghan brothers and sisters have been tragically impacted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Through these two projects, AHTF and its donor partners aim to increase access to clean water and combat child malnutrition, two key metrics which will improve the quality of life within the country’s vulnerable communities.”

“As the trustee of AHTF, IsDB remains committed to tackling humanitarian crises and supporting sustainable development alongside leading multinational organizations,” he added.

“These contributions will make a tangible impact on children in Afghanistan, as UNICEF expects 875,000 children to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year yet faces a shortage of RUTF to treat them,” said Mr. Eltayeb Adam, UNICEF Area Representative for the Gulf.

“Clean water is also linked to health and nutrition; when a child does not have safe drinking water, it affects their hygiene and puts them at risk of diarrhea diseases and poor nutrition absorption. As Afghanistan is ranked fifth among countries most at-risk of climate-related disasters and other impacts of climate change worldwide, it is increasingly important we find sustainable ways to ensure children and their families have the water resources they need to thrive,” he added.

The two AHTF-supported projects will last for 12 months. They represent the first agreements UNICEF has ever signed with the AHTF.

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 May 2023 – Under the auspices of HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), an Implementation Partner (IP) agreement was signed today between the IsDB, as the Trustee of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), and International Medical Corps-UK, to implement a project aiming at providing improved water sanitation and hygiene services to targeted populations affected by conflicts and natural disasters in Afghanistan’s Paktika Province.

The IP agreement was signed between Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, and Ognjen Radosavljevic, the Managing Director of International Medical Corps-UK, on the sidelines of the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The signing event was attended by senior representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), member countries, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, as well as guests.

IsDB President HE Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser stated: “This signing ceremony is an important milestone for all of us, as we have been striving to alleviate the suffering of our Afghan brothers and sisters. I commend all those who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. I look forward to the earliest completion of this project and its positive impact on the lives of the rural communities in Afghanistan. On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center for their USD 10 million contributions to the AHTF”. “

The AHTF will extend a grant of USD 1,078,894 to International Medical Corps, a US-registered independent affiliate of International Medical Corps-UK, to implement the project in the eastern Afghanistan province. The AHTF grant funding comes from the contribution of KSReliefto the AHTF.

The AHTF grant aims to improve communities’ health and quality of life by providing clean water in a sustainable manner and promoting hygiene practices in the beneficiary local communities. The operation will directly benefit a rural population of 14,113. The International Medical Corps will build solar-powered pumped water systems to provide access to clean water for drinking and cooking for the people in Urgon and Yusufkhel districts. It will also work toward improving the environmental health and hygiene practices of targeted populations in the two districts by conducting solid waste cleanup campaigns and promoting hygiene practices at the household and community levels.

On the IP agreement, Eng. Mohammad J. Alsaati, Special Adviser to the IsDB President and AHTF Coordinator, said: “Afghanistan has seen decades of continued conflicts and several occurrences of natural disasters that brought profound suffering to the people of the country and reversed many of its development gains. As trustees of the AHTF, we are committed to supporting the socioeconomic development of Afghanistan. The funding to International Medical Corps-UK is part of overall AHTF’s efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable development for the provisioning of essential services, including access to clean water, primary education, and basic healthcare in remote rural communities, to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. With these funds, International Medical Corps-UK will provide our Afghan brothers and sisters in Paktika with improved access to water sanitation and hygiene services.”

“Access to clean, safe water is key to overall health, preventing water-borne diseases and staving off other health issues,” said Ognjen Radosavljevic, Managing Director of International Medical Corps UK. “Our work in Afghanistan spans nearly four decades, and we are grateful to IsDB and AHTF for their support of this important project,” he added.

At present, the communities in Pakitka’s Urgon and Yusufkhel districts rely on unsafe water sources such as rivers, streams, wells, boreholes, and traditional ponds. Continued drought, which has resulted in the drying-up of springs, wells, rivers, and streams across Afghanistan, and the damage to water points in Paktika due to the recent June 2022 Afghanistan earthquake are the key issues jeopardizing the sustainability of existing water points. Therefore, this project will make clean water accessible to those whose water systems have been destroyed, damaged, or contaminated.

The AHTF serves as a vehicle to channel humanitarian assistance, address basic needs, and promote self-reliance and development in the country, following the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC at its 17th Extraordinary Session held on 19 December 2021 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 12 May 2023 – The Board of Governors (BoG) of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved Indonesia’s request to increase its contribution to the subscribed capital of the Bank. The request was approved as part of the proceedings of the 48^th Annual Meeting of the IsDB Board of Governors held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the patronage of The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Special Capital Increase (SCI) allows Indonesia to gain a permanent seat on the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors (BED). The SCI will eventually increase the number of permanent BED seat holders to ten. This is the 6^th SCI approved by the IsDB Board of Governors since the Bank commenced operations in 1975. The SCI further expands the capital base of the Bank entailing a wide array of advantages including the enhancement of the institution’s implementation capacity towards its fit-for-purpose Realigned Strategy 2023-2025 as it serves as a symbol of strong shareholder support.

Welcoming the approval, IsDB President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, stated: “The Special Capital Increase strengthens the historic partnership between IsDB and the Republic of Indonesia for promoting sustainable socio-economic development, including the key areas of climate action and building food security and resilience in the Bank’s 57 Member Countries. This will enable us to work together ever so closely toward the sustainable development agenda around the world. This is a strong show of support by an important Member Country, and the Bank is very grateful to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, especially the Minister of Finance of Indonesia and IsDB Governor, H.E. Dr. Sri Mulyani Indrawati for her leadership in this effort and reinforcing Indonesia’s support for IsDB.”

On the occasion, H.E. Dr. Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Finance Minister and IsDB Governor for Indonesia stated: “As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world and with a great wealth of experience in dealing with global priority agenda, Indonesia is committed to working closely with IsDB to make a positive and long-lasting impact on the Muslim Ummah and the global community at large. The world and the Muslims in particular need to rebuild better and stronger, and this partnership between Indonesia and IsDB will continue to build solidarity towards that purpose, Inshallah.”

IsDB and Indonesia have a longstanding historic relationship that continues to build upon the dynamic and exponentially growing cooperation between a larger IsDB Group and Indonesia that is currently driven by the recently launched 2022-2025 Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS) oriented towards providing solution-centric and programmatic developmental solutions, in full harmony with the National Development Plan, as encapsulated in the 2020-2024 Medium Term Strategy (RPJMN) and Vision 2045 of Indonesia.

To date, IsDB Group’s total financing to Indonesia stands at around US$ 6.3 billion which spans various priority sectors of the country’s economy, in both public and private sectors.