Nadim Khouri, Deputy Executive Secretary of UN-ESCWA signs MoU with Chanho Park, Regional Director of GGGI’s Middle East and North Africa program

AMMAN, Jordan – April 4, 2014 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on green growth cooperation today at the Arab High Level Forum on Sustainable Development in Amman.

The MoU states that the two organizations will work together to support countries in the Arab region in their adoption and implementation of green growth policies. This will include research projects, capacity building programs, and policy dialogues with governments and private sector representatives in Arab countries. Moreover, GGGI and UN-ESCWA will collaborate to engage the private sector through the Green Help Desk. The Green Help Desk aims to support small and medium enterprises that seek assistance in adopting green production practices and principles of sustainable development.

“We are pleased to be cooperating with UN-ESCWA on green economy issues,” said Howard Bamsey, Director-General of GGGI. “UN-ESCWA’s expertise in the region will not only strengthen GGGI’s work in countries such as the U.A.E. and Jordan but also help raise the importance of green growth in other countries.”

Through its Abu Dhabi Office, GGGI is active in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Morocco. In the U.A.E. and Jordan, GGGI supports the governments in the design of a comprehensive National Green Growth Strategy that includes recommendations for six economic sectors. Moreover, the GGGI is in discussion with the government of Morocco about the scope of cooperation on green growth. A MENA knowledge sharing and capacity development program with participants from all MENA countries complements GGGI’s capacity development activities at project level.

“This MOU between ESCWA and GGGI provides a platform for a new and innovative regional partnership that will help Arab countries to accelerate their progress towards sustainable development through a green economy transition”, said Nadim Khouri, Deputy Executive Secretary at UN-ESCWA.

UN-ESCWA promotes cooperation and integration between 17 countries in Western Asia and North Africa. It provides a framework for promoting economic and social development and the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory.

The 17 member countries are: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates , Yemen, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.

About GGGI

Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization founded to support and promote green growth. The organization partners with countries to help them build economies that grow strongly and are more efficient and sustainable in the use of natural resources, less carbon intensive, and more resilient to climate change. GGGI’s experts are already working with governments around the world, building their capacity and working collaboratively on green growth policies that can impact the lives of millions. To learn more, see www.gggi.org and visit us on Facebook and Twitter.