UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, conducted a high-level mission to Riyadh to further strengthen strategic collaboration with Saudi Arabia and regional partners. The visit highlighted UNDP’s enduring commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s development priorities and fostering joint action across key areas such as sustainable development, climate action, governance, geospatial data, and regional cooperation.

The visit began with a dedicated meeting at the UN House in Riyadh with the staff of UNDP Saudi Arabia Country Office. Dr. Dardari congratulated the entire team for their unwavering commitment and results-driven work, commending their role in helping Saudi Arabia shine on the global stage during UNGA 80, held last month in New York. The meeting also created a space to discuss internal matters of importance to staff, reinforcing a culture of transparency, dialogue, and shared purpose.

In continuation, Dr. Dardari met with H.E. Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, Supervisor General of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY). The two sides discussed ongoing collaboration in supporting Yemen’s recovery, resilience, and development through sustainable, long-term efforts.  Building on the ongoing support of Saudi Arabia beyond it’s own borders, Dr. Dardari also met with H.E. Ahmed Bin Ali Al Baiz, of KSRelief commending the agency on the work to advance the humanitarian, peace, development nexus with emphasis on advancing support in this area.

As part of UNDP’s collaboration with the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), Dr. Dardari met with its President, Dr. Eng. Mohammed Al-Sayel, to explore how geospatial data can support evidence-based policymaking, regional planning, and stronger global partnerships.

The mission also included strategic discussions with the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Mr. Sultan Al-Marshad, on scaling up development cooperation between UNDP and SFD, and aligning efforts in supporting sustainable development across the region and beyond.

In a major step for environmental partnership, Dr. Dardari welcomed H.E. Ibrahim Alturki, Secretary-General of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) at the UN House. Building on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between UNDP and MGI, both leaders discussed future joint initiatives that address poverty, climate change, and environmental degradation throughout the region. 

Dr. Dardari also had meetings with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, to ensure an integrated approach to addressing environmental issues.  In meeting with Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Environment, emphasis was placed on the ongoing partnership with UNDP at the national, regional and global levels in addressing drought and land degradation, and UNDPs engagement in the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience partnership, a legacy of UNCCD COP 16.  In meeting with Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister of Water, Dr. Dardari offered congratulations on the successful completion of the comprehensive report on SDG 6, promoting and encouraging young talent in the water sector and the strategic planning for hosting the World Water Forum in 2027, reaffirming UNDP as a committed partner.

Dr. Dardari also delivered a keynote speech during the annual conference of the MENA-ARIN Network, praising the efforts of Nazaha, Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, in strengthening international cooperation on asset recovery and integrity. He reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption reforms and building institutional capacity across the Arab region. “The funds that were smuggled and leaked from our countries are, in fact, our children’s future,” he stated, highlighting the importance of transparent governance in achieving the SDGs.  These points were also re-affirmed in a bi-lateral meeting with H.E. Mazin AlKahmous, President of Nazaha.

This most recent mission of Dr. Dardari’s stands as a reflection of UNDP’s deepening strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—working together toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for the Arab region and beyond.