News 2009

 

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

2 Nov 2009, Jeddah,UNDP Assistant Administrator Dr. Jordan Ryan and UN KSA Resident Coordinator Dr. Riyad Musa Al-Ahmad meet with IDB President and Senior Management

2 Nov 2009, Jeddah, On the occasion of his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Jordan Ryan, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator of UNDP and Director of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), along with Dr. Riyad Musa Al-Ahmad, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Kingdom, met recently with Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, The President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and  Mr. ELMansour Feten, Director of  the Trust Funds Department. The discussion explored opportunities and  the prospects of future cooperation between the United Nation Development Programme and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), especially...

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Saturday, 24 October 2009

24 October 2009,The Secretary General Message on UN Day

24 October 2009,On this United Nations Day and every day throughout the year, the United Nations is at work -- for the planet, for jobs, for “we the peoples”. We deliver more humanitarian aid than anyone – and to the toughest places.  We vaccinate 40 per cent of the world’s children.  We feed more than 100 million people and are helping more than 30 million refugees, most of them women and children fleeing war and persecution. We are deploying more peacekeepers than ever -- more than 115,000.  In the last year alone, we provided electoral assistance to almost 50 countries.  And...

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Saturday, 24 October 2009

24 Oct 2009, United Nations, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates the 64th Anniversary of the Organization

24 Oct 2009, Riyadh,The United Nations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrated the 64th anniversary of the United Nations. The event took place at the United Nations House in Riyadh and was attended by several government officials, Ambassadors and local celebrities. Opened by a brief recitation of the Holy Qu’ran, the ceremony was introduced by a speech of Dr. Riyad Musa Al-Ahmad, the UN Resident Coordinator in Saudi Arabia. After remarking UN’s achievements in encouraging global development, Dr. Riyad particularly emphasized the strong partnership that UNDP was able to establish in recent years with the Saudi government, mentioning the...

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Saturday, 17 October 2009

17 October 2009,The Secretary-General Message on the International Day for The Eradication of Poverty

Today we recognize the daily struggles and contributions of those living in poverty and resolve to intensify efforts to eliminate the scourge once and for all.At a time of multiple global crises, the poorest and most vulnerable have a special claim on our attention.  We know that, in any recession, those hurt first—and worst—are the poor.  According to recent estimates, the global economic crisis has claimed at least 50 million jobs this year.  As many as 100 million more people are expected to fall below the poverty line in 2009.  Climate change further compounds the problem.The theme of this year’s...

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Monday, 5 October 2009

5 October 2009, Human Development Report 2009

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Human Development Report challenges common migration misconceptions 5 October 2009, Bangkok, Allowing for migration—both within and between countries—has the potential to increase people’s freedom and improve the lives of millions around the world, according to the 2009 Human Development Report launched here today.We live in a highly mobile world, where migration is not only inevitable but also an important dimension of human development. Nearly one billion—or one out of seven—people are migrants. The Report, Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development, demonstrates that migration can enhance human development for the people who move, for destination communities and for those who remain at home....

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Friday, 2 October 2009

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE

  Mahatma Gandhi, whose legacy this annual observance celebrates, once observed that “non-violence, to be worth anything, has to work in the face of hostile forces.” In today’s world, we face many hostile forces -- multiple and persistent crises that demand a response from leaders and grassroots alike.Gandhi understood that a powerful idea could change the world.  He knew that individuals, working alone and together, could realize what others might dismiss as impossible dreams.  Inspired by Gandhi’s life of non-violence, the United Nations today works to end violence.We strive, for example, to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction.  Our...

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Tuesday, 21 July 2009

21 July 2009, AHDR 2009

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   “Human Security” offers new way to understand development challengesin the Arab regionBEIRUT, 21 July, 2009 ―In Arab countries, a widespread lack of human security undermines human development, according to the Arab Human Development Report 2009: Challenges to Human Security in the Arab Countries. This report is prepared by independent scholars drawn from the region. The report argues that human security is a prerequisite for human development, and that the widespread absence of human security in Arab countries undermines people’s options. Human security refers not only to questions of survival, but also basic needs such as access to clean water...

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Sunday, 19 July 2009

19 July 2009, UNDP and MOEP Developing a National Youth Strategy

 Dr. Riyadh Musa Al-Ahmad, on the right and H.E. Ahmad Al-Hakami, Vice Minister of MOEP 19 July 2009, Riyadh,UNDP Saudi Arabia signed a project document with the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MOEP). Dr. Riyad Musa Al-Ahmad, UNRC, UNDP RR in Saudi Arabia and H. E. Ahmad Al-Hakami, Vice Minister of MOEP signed the project document on behalf of their agencies. The projects objective is to develop a youth strategy that will enhance the participation of youth in national development processes encompassing the varied socio-economic and recreational dimensions pertinent to all partners.   This project will also provide the needed technical and advisory...

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Saturday, 11 July 2009

11 July 2009, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON WORLD POPULATION DAY

In the midst of the worst global economic crisis in generations, we must find the most effective ways to continue progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  There is no better path than the focus of this year’s World Population Day: investing in women and girls.As budgets tighten, the crisis threatens to wipe out hard-won progress in improving health and reducing poverty. When household incomes decline, girls are more likely to drop out of school. When profits decline, women are more likely to lose their employment and sources of income. When health systems suffer, women risk childbirth without life-saving services....

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Wednesday, 8 July 2009

8 July 2009, The Millennium Development Goals Report 2009

Recent gains in eradicating hunger and poverty endangered by economic and food crises, says UN reportMore than halfway to the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), major advances in the fight against poverty and hunger have begun to slow or even reverse as a result of the global economic and food crises, a progress report by the United Nations has found.The assessment, launched today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Geneva, warns that, despite many successes,overall progress has been too slow for most of the targets to be met by 2015. “We cannot allow an unfavourable economic...

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Friday, 26 June 2009

26 June 2009, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

 This year marks the centenary of drug control – 100 years since the Opium Commission met in Shanghai to stop an opium epidemic. In more recent years, United Nations conventions have helped to address the challenge of drug abuse and reduce its terrible toll on individuals, families and communities.  Drug abuse can be prevented, treated and controlled. I urge Member States to upgrade their preventive interventions and integrate drug treatment into public health programmes. The World Health Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime continue to work with Governments and other partners to scale up drug...

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Friday, 26 June 2009

26 June 2009,THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE

 Despite an impressive legal and institutional framework to prevent it, torture is still widely tolerated or even practiced by Governments, and impunity persists for the perpetrators.  The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is an occasion to reaffirm the right of all men and women to live free of the fear of torture.  There is no justification for torture or any form of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment in any society, at any time, under any circumstance.I urge all United Nations Member States that have not yet done so to ratify and implement in good faith...

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Thursday, 18 June 2009

18 June 2009, UNDP launches photo contest in Africa

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 UNDP, in partnership with Olympus Corporation and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) Foundation, launched an Africa-based, eco-themed photo contest today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The contest, titled Picture This: Caring for the Earth, aims to profile ordinary people working to reduce the effects of climate change in their countries, cities and communities and is open to anyone residing in Africa.Entries —either single photos or photo essays— must highlight stories that show the people of Africa as stewards of their natural environment. Special attention will be given to photos that take into account the role that women play in protecting their environment....

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Sunday, 31 May 2009

31 May 2009,THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY

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Ban-Ki-Moon - World No Tobacco Day Every year, some 5.4 million people die from illnesses caused by tobacco consumption – 80 per cent of them in low- and middle-income countries.  Up to half of all smokers die from a tobacco-related disease, and science has shown that second-hand smoke harms everyone who is exposed to it.  Left unchecked, tobacco-related deaths will rise to more than 8 million by 2030.  Lung cancer, heart disease and other tobacco-related illnesses are part of a broader epidemic of non-communicable diseases, which include strokes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.  These diseases have become the world’s leading...

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Wednesday, 27 May 2009

27 May 2009, Riyadh,The United Nations Development Program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participates in Prince Sultan University Career Day

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May Al-Faraj explaining to students UNDP's activities in the KingdomOn May 27th 09 Prince Sultan University – College for women organized the PSU-CW CAREER EXPO 2009 at the women's campus under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Nouf Bint Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.This Annual Career Expo is an opportunity for PSU-CW students, alumni, coop students, other university/ college's students and other professionals to explore the career opportunities and a variety of career paths. Exhibitors from a range of different industries, banking sector, IT and software companies, training providers, embassies, international organizations and multinationals were present at the event....

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Sunday, 24 May 2009

24 May 2009, Riyadh, UNDP and the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development enhance women’s role in the protection of environment and wildlife protection

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UNDP and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development to enhance women’s role in the protection of environment and wildlife.The signing event took place in the NCWCD HQ, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The project aims at conducting the creation of the nature based environmental educational facility for women as well as the development of the nature based environmental educational curriculum and the development of the nature based environmental awareness materials.  Top

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Monday, 27 April 2009

27 April 2009, Helen Clark sworn in as UNDP Administrator

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 UNDP Administrator Helen Clark (left) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonPhoto: UNDPHelen Clark was officially sworn in today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as UNDP’s new Administrator in the presence of senior members of the Secretary-General’s cabinet.  With her left hand on the UN Charter, she pledged to follow the ideals of the United Nations as laid out in the Charter. Helen Clark, of New Zealand, was unanimously approved by the UN General Assembly to head the UN’s development agency on 31 March 2009 for a term of four years.  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon nominated Helen Clark to replace outgoing Administrator...

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Sunday, 26 April 2009

26 April 2009, UN agencies mark Chernobyl anniversary with US$2.5-million project

New York/Geneva/Vienna — Four United Nations agencies marked today the 23rd anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident by launching a $2.5 million programme designed to meet the priority information needs of affected communities in Belarus, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine. Funded by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, this three-year initiative aims to translate the latest scientific information on the consequences of the accident into sound practical advice for residents of the affected territories. The project is a joint effort by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),...

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Monday, 20 April 2009

20 April 2009, Helen Clark begins first day as Administrator of UNDP

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Today, Helen Clark began her first day as the new Administrator of UNDP.  She will spend her first week meeting with UNDP senior management, UN officials and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, as well as getting acquainted with staff. "I am looking forward to leading UNDP at this critical time. I have a commitment to tackling poverty and injustice, and I regard it as an enormous privilege to tackle these issues at the international level,” Clark said after she was approved.  Miss Clark, of New Zealand, was unanimously approved by the UN General Assembly to as the new Administrator...

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Tuesday, 10 March 2009

10 March 2009, The Arab Knowledge Report 2009 Towards knowledge Society in the Arab World

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation invites all artistic talents, including university students, art colleges and schools to participate in design contest for the cover of "The Arab Knowledge Report 2009." He/she who wishes to participate in this contest should take into consideration the following: • The design should reflect the goals and content of the report, guided by the general background cited below.• The design should reflect the regional Arab identity and culture.• The design should be colored with dimensions of 21.5 cm width and 28 cm length.• The winner will be rewarded a certificate of appreciation and a 15000...

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Tuesday, 3 March 2009

3 March 2009, International Women's Day

 Secretary-General opens day-long observance in New York, 5 March; Dozens of events held at UN offices around the world3 March 2009,UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will call for greater international action to end violence against women, as he opens the United Nations commemorative event for International Women’s Day at New York Headquarters on Thursday, 5 March. He will address an audience including ministers from over 50 countries and more than 1,000 representatives of women’s groups, who will be in New York for the annual session of the Commission on the Status of Women, from 2 to 13 March. The theme of...

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Thursday, 19 February 2009

19 February 2009, Jeddah, The City of Jeddah is preparing to launch a project to Develop a Master Plan for the Environment in Jeddah in Management and Conservation

19 February 2009, Jeddah,An agreement was signed to launch the project to develop a master plan of the environment in Jeddah in management and conservation. The agreement was signed in Jeddah, on Thursday, February 19th, 2009, the agreement was signed by the United Nations Development Program Resident Representative and Resident Coordinator  of the United Nations in Riyadh Dr. Riyad Musa Al-Ahmad,and on the other sighing part was Mr. Adel Al-Faqih, the  Mayor of the City of Jeddah, Jeddah Municipality. Attended the signing, Ms. Mayssam Tamim Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP, Ms. Sarah Al-Shura Programme Associate in the United Nations Development Program...

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Wednesday, 28 January 2009

28 January 2009, Riyadh, HRH Prince Mutab bin Abdulaziz, signed two of the comprehensive planning of Mecca and Medina, and the Two Holy Mosques

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28 January 2009, Riyadh,The Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, His Royal Highness Prince Mutab bin AbdulAziz,Has signed two of the comprehensive planning of Makkah and Madinah and the Two Holy Mosques. The first contract was signed with Dr. Riyad Mussa Al-Ahmad, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Resident Representative of the United Nations Developing Program, in Riyadh, to provide the Development Authority of Mecca and Medina and the Two Holy Mosques with experts. Fourteen experts in the fields of urban planning and architecture, housing, transport, environment, strategic planning and urban management and the crowd to assist the Board in guiding the...

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Sunday, 25 January 2009

25 January 2009, Riyadh, UNRWA visited UNDP Saudi Arabia to collect donation for Gaza and the reconstruction of Naher El-Bared Camp

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25 January 2009, Riyadh,Karen Koning  AbuZayed, Commissioner-General of UNRWA Peter Ford, and Dr. Issam Miqadadi, Director of Infrastructure and Camp Improvement and Ms. Muna Budero, Head of Housing and Camp Imrovement and Mr. Mohammad Abdulal, Deputy Project Manager- Naher Al Bared Project from UNRWA visited the UNDP on Sunday 25th of January 2009, Dr. Riyad Ahmad Al-Musa was there to welcome them along with Mustafa Al-Khamees the Deputy Operations Manager, the reason of the visit was to collect donation for Gaza and for the reconstruction of Naher El-Bared Camp.Click the picture below to view more photos.{gallery}news/2009/unrwa{/gallery}Top

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Saturday, 17 January 2009

17 January 2009, Riyadh, Rural Development Strategy

17 January 2009, Riyadh,UNDP signed late 2008 a 2-year project document with the Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs (MOMRA) of Saudi Arabia. The major objective of the project is to provide technical and advisory support to the Government in its efforts to formulate a national rural development strategy.The project envisages conducting a series of surveys to review the present situation of the municipal services to the rural areas. The project seeks to lay a basis for the production of a comprehensive strategy for rural development through researching the components and determinants of development and institutional capacity development and human...

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