Riyadh, 1 May 2025 — The Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Saudi Arabia convened the 2025 Board Meeting of the Umbrella Programme for Socio-Economic Development, reaffirming their mutual commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable development through long-term strategic collaboration.

The meeting, held at MEP headquarters in Riyadh, brought together senior leadership from both institutions, including Mr. Hattan Muneer Bin Samman, General Supervisor for International Organizations at MEP, and Ms. Nahid Hussein, UNDP Resident Representative in Saudi Arabia.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Bin Samman expressed his appreciation for the progress achieved through this partnership, underscoring the strategic value of collaboration with UNDP. He described it as a vital international relationship that has led to the launch of a new joint initiative, and extended his gratitude to the UNDP team for their continued support.

Ms. Nahid Hussein reiterated UNDP’s full commitment to the partnership and highlighted the strong alignment between the visions of both institutions.

Both parties emphasized their continued dedication to making this partnership a model of sustainable impact aligned with Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“UNDP remains deeply committed to this strategic partnership, and we will continue working side by side with the Ministry of Economy and Planning to translate policy into tangible results that serve communities across the Kingdom,” said Ms. Nahid Hussein.

This board meeting is part of a series of regular high-level engagements aimed at reviewing progress, setting forward-looking priorities, and strengthening joint governance. With a solid foundation of shared accomplishments and a renewed spirit of cooperation, the Umbrella Programme continues to stand as a leading model of institutional collaboration between the Government of Saudi Arabia and UNDP — built on mutual trust, technical excellence, and a shared vision for inclusive and sustainable development.