NEW YORK – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) signed today a new Joint Cooperation Programme, renewing their strategic partnership and commitment to strengthening support to communities affected by crises around the world. 

The Supervisor General of KSrelief and Advisor to the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Rabeeah, and UNDP Administrator, Alexander De Croo, signed the new agreement, which builds on the partnership between both organizations established in 2022. The agreement provides a framework for strengthening cooperation across the domains of humanitarian action, post-crisis transitions, recovery, sustainable development, and peace. 

“When crisis strikes, people need food, shelter and medical care. But they also need a way to rebuild their lives,” said Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Under Secretary-General. “Our renewed partnership with KSrelief will help meet both needs, responding to today’s emergency while helping families get back on their feet.”

Under the Joint Cooperation Programme, UNDP and KSrelief will deepen their exchange of knowledge, information, and expertise – including through capacity-building, research, and innovative initiatives – to strengthen support to communities in complex and protracted crises. It will facilitate greater coordination between the two organizations and create opportunities to develop joint initiatives in countries and contexts where they operate, in areas of common interest including, supporting sustainable livelihoods, peacebuilding, crisis prevention and recovery, post-crisis stabilization, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. 

“Our renewed partnership with UNDP underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing the complex and evolving humanitarian needs of communities affected by crises,” said Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief. “Through this cooperation, we seek to build on our shared experience and advance durable solutions that support recovery, strengthen resilience and create lasting impact for communities in need.” 

Since 2022, the UNDP-KSrelief partnership has demonstrated a shared commitment to connecting humanitarian responses with longer-term recovery and development, helping communities to not only respond to crises, but also to strengthen resilience and build more sustainable futures for all. 

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact: 
Noeman Alsayyad | Strategic Communication Advisor | Regional Bureau for Arab States | noeman.alsayyad@undp.org 

Borhene Eddine Fakhfakh | Senior Communication Analyst | UNDP Country Office in KSA | borhene.fakhfakh@undp.org  

Rebecca Webb | Strategic Communication Specialist | Bureau of External Relations & Advocacy | rebecca.webb@undp.org