UNDP Commits to Supporting Sudan’s Economic Recovery Initiatives

Khartoum: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has expressed its readiness to contribute to economic recovery programs in Sudan according to the program’s plan for the year 2025, which specifies several programs and activities, the most important of which are peacebuilding and the rule of law, health and environment, and access to energy, with expected funding of about $55.5 million.

According to Sudan News Agency, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim, identified the country’s priorities in vital sectors of water, health, education, environmental health, and agricultural development. The focus is on empowering communities and fostering resilience to the repercussions of war by restoring sustainable livelihoods, job opportunities, and income-generating projects.

The Minister expressed, during his meeting with the UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan, Luca Renda, his aspiration for the program to help Sudan address the problems of climate change and its impact on the environment, obtain clean energy, and use solar energy in drinking water stations across several states. He also emphasized the importance of food security and highlighted opportunities available in the Tokar Delta Project, stressing the need for its rehabilitation to contribute to building food security, agricultural development, and achieving economic security. He called on UNDP to support the state’s efforts in post-war reconstruction, purifying and sterilizing cities, and preparing them for the return of citizens.

For his part, Renda expressed the UNDP’s readiness to coordinate with the government to provide assistance according to its plan for the current year in attracting external funding, technical assistance, capacity building, and training. He noted that the UNDP implemented projects in Sudan worth $44 million during the past year, expecting to increase funding for the current year to about $55.5 million. He highlighted the program’s interest in supporting small producers, alleviating poverty, rehabilitating infrastructure, and financing rural development by utilizing financing windows available at the World Bank and the African Development Bank, in coordination with other United Nations agencies. Additionally, he mentioned opportunities to benefit from technical assistance from different countries.

Dr. Bashar emphasized the importance of UNDP’s assistance to Sudan 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 industries. He also stressed the need for providing urgent humanitarian assistance to those affected by the war.