UNDP Willing to Contribute to Economic Recovery Programs

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) expressed its readiness to contribute to Sudan’s economic recovery programs according to its 2025 plan, which includes several key programs and activities, most notably building peace and the rule of law, focusing on health, the environment, and access to energy, with expected funding of approximately 55.5 million dollars.

Finance Minister Dr. Jibril Ibrahim outlined the country’s priorities, which focus on vital sectors such as water, health, education, environmental health, agricultural development, and empowering communities. These efforts are aimed at building resilience against the effects of the war, restoring sustainable livelihoods, creating job opportunities, and income-generating projects. During his meeting with Luca Renda, the UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan, Dr. Ibrahim expressed hope that the UNDP would help Sudan address climate change issues, its environmental impact, access to clean energy, and the use of solar power for drinking water stations in several states. He also highlighted the importance of food security, pointing out opportunities in the Tokar Delta project and the need for its rehabilitation to contribute to food security, agricultural development, and economic stability. The minister called on the program to strengthen the state’s efforts in post-war reconstruction, urban sanitation, and preparing cities for the return of citizens.

For his part, Luca Renda expressed the program’s readiness to coordinate with the government to provide assistance according to its plan for the current year, focusing on attracting external financing, technical assistance, capacity building, and training. He noted that the program implemented projects worth 44 million dollars in Sudan in 2024, with expectations of increasing funding for this year to approximately 55.5 million dollars. He also emphasized the program’s focus on supporting small producers, alleviating poverty, rehabilitating infrastructure, and financing rural development by utilizing available funding windows from the World Bank and the African Development Bank in coordination with other UN agencies, as well as providing access to technical assistance from different countries.

Dr. Mohamed Bashar, Planning Undersecretary, affirmed the importance of UNDP assistance in achieving sustainable development goals, supporting community resilience, and empowering communities by improving the skills of vulnerable groups and increasing sustainable income opportunities through small and medium-sized industries, in addition to providing urgent humanitarian aid to those affected by the war.