LocationsUNDP and Partners Advance Strategic Investments in Health, Education, and Renewable Energy in East Jerusalem
August 29, 2025
UNDP and Partners Advance Strategic Investments in Health, Education, and Renewable Energy in East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem – The United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) convened a full day of high-level engagements for UNDP East Jerusalem Neighborhood Development Programme initiatives, culminating in the signing of several strategic agreements to enhance healthcare, education, higher education and renewable energy infrastructure, mainly with funding by Government of Norway and the Arab Bank for Economic Development (BADEA) through the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in its capacity as the administrator of Al Aqsa Bank.
A milestone of the day was the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement between the Jerusalem District Electricity Company (JDECO) and the Waqf General Department for 864.62 kWp Solar Energy Systems under the flagship GO SOLAR project, funded by Norway worth US$2.2 million. The initiative will benefit 16 schools in East Jerusalem for clean energy and energy efficiency. The agreement was signed by Eng. Hisham Al Omari- JDECO Chairman of the Board, and Sheikh Azzam Al Khatib Al Tamimi- Director General of Waqaf General Department and witnessed by UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator Jaco Cilliers.
Throughout the day’s engagements, over 45 representatives from hospitals, healthcare institutions, academia, and international development agencies came together, underscoring the importance of coordinated, cross-sectoral partnerships in delivering inclusive and impactful development outcomes.
Through these efforts, UNDP formalized five Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Al-Quds University, Princess Basma Centre for Children with Disabilities, Makassed Islamic Charitable Hospital, Augusta Victoria Hospital, and St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group. These MoUs reaffirm UNDP’s commitment to enhancing access to essential services and strengthening the long-term resilience of Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem.
Mr. Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, said: “These agreements represent not only critical investments in health, education, and renewable energy, but also a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to building resilience and safeguarding Palestinian identity in East Jerusalem. Together with our partners and donors, we are investing in sustainable solutions that deliver tangible benefits for generations to come.”
Sheikh Azzam Alkhatib Altamimi, Director General of Waqf General Department, said: “Waqf General Department is recognizing the foundational support of the partners in advancing significant investments in Jerusalem with high attention to Waqf properties that assist us in safeguarding them and developing their potentials for the local community.”
Eng. Hisham Al-Omari, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jerusalem District Electricity Company: “Today marks the signing of a power purchase agreement for solar energy from 16 Al-Waqf school rooftops in Jerusalem, with a total capacity of 864 kW. This achievement reflects our ongoing collaboration with the Jordanian Islamic Waqf and UNDP to enhance services in education, health, and youth sectors. At JDECO, we are proud to champion sustainable energy solutions for institutions in Jerusalem and beyond. We remain committed to advancing renewable energy through strategic partnerships. These efforts are vital for community resilience and service sustainability.
Dr. Imad Khatib, Executive Vice President for Al-Quds University’s Jerusalem campuses, stated: “Sustaining our campuses in Jerusalem is both a financial challenge and a symbolic responsibility. From Beit Hanina to the Old City, we offer essential academic and community services, especially to disadvantaged groups. As the only university with campuses in Jerusalem, education and service are at the heart of our mission. Recent solar energy support—enabled by UNDP, the IsDB, and generous donors—is vital to our green transition. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who stand with us”.
Dr. Omar Abu Zaydeh, Director General of Al Makassed Hospital, said: “Al Makassed Hospital is an integral entity of the overarching health system in Palestine, and we are committed to provide the best quality of health services for the Palestinians that entails from us strategic vision which proudly materialized with Al Makassed 2030.”
Dr. Fadi Atrash, CEO of Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH), said: “This crucial support of the UNDP from the Norwegian government comes as a part of our long-term partnership with EJHN, which will allow AVH to sustain and develop its operation in bringing the best of care for Palestinians and to help provide our health system with highly qualified doctors.”
Dr. Ahmad Ma’ali, St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group, added: “We feel privileged to be selected for support by UNDP and its donors. This reflects their commitment to strengthening health infrastructure, including eye care, in the prevention of avoidable blindness in Palestine. These grants will also support our membership in the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Initiative and ensure long-term sustainability of our operations in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories.”
Mrs. Violette Mubarak, General Director of the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre ( JPBS) said: “The agreement we are signing today with UNDP through finance by IsDB is coming at critical juncture of our center to diversify financial resources and respond to global commitments of green transformation that will profoundly impact our service delivery.”
Mr. Richard Zananiri, General Manager of St. George School added: “Investments in green technologies will not help us only to address financial and environmental issues, but it will give us the opportunity to walk the talk in our education system through modeled examples on ground.”
The new MoUs include solar energy systems for institutions such as Al-Quds University, Princess Basma Centre for Children with Disabilities, and Makassed Islamic Charitable Hospital, implemented in partnership with JDECO. These systems will generate new financial income, reduce operational costs, improve the reliability of energy supply for critical services, and promote environmental sustainability. Interventions include rooftop solar PV installations, and electrical infrastructure upgrades.
In addition, Residency Programme Agreements (RPAs) were launched to address critical shortages in medical personnel, complemented by a Norwegian-funded medical supplies initiative to reinforce essential service delivery and improve the quality of care of Al Makassed, AVH, and St. John Hospitals. The delegation also toured recent EU- and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID)-funded healthcare upgrades at Makassed and AVH, including the surgical department, dialysis and endoscopy units, and a chemotherapy center.
As part of the day’s programme, the delegation also visited Al Shabbat Al Muslimat School, where they engaged with the school administration to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing the education system in East Jerusalem. The visit included an honoring ceremony for outstanding students and provided a platform to hear directly from educators and youth. In addition, the delegation held community-level discussions with representatives from Al-Isawiyyeh and Silwan neighborhoods, reinforcing UNDP’s commitment to inclusive engagement and people-centered development in marginalized areas of the city.
UNDP/PAPP continues to work hand-in-hand with Palestinian institutions and civil society in East Jerusalem to preserve Palestinian identity, promote access to equitable services, and support sustainable recovery. Through integrated interventions in infrastructure, institutional strengthening, and community-based initiatives, UNDP is fostering a resilient, just, and inclusive community in East Jerusalem.
For further information, please contact:
Musa Khalil, Head of Communication Unit
E-mail: musa.khalil@undp.org | Tel: +972 6268200 | Mobile: +972 5748761
For more information about UNDP/PAPP visit www.ps.undp.org
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