Lisbon: 7 October, 2022
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has underlined its commitment to international collaboration in order to effect positive change and safeguard the environment. Taking part in the 6th International Meeting on Triangular Co-operation, a delegation of SFD officials showcased the Fund’s ongoing sustainability initiatives and called on international organizations, communities and the private sector to join forces to combat climate change.
Hosted in Lisbon, Portugal, the event was held from 6 to 7 October and provided a timely opportunity for authorities, experts, and leaders from around the world to network, share ideas and discuss sustainable solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change.
SFD was represented at the event by Randah Al-Hothali — the Fund’s Director General of Corporate Communications. In addition to spotlighting SFD’s wide-ranging sustainability projects, Ms. Al-Hothali participated in a panel discussion entitled “Triangular co-operation supporting the climate agenda”. The session reiterated the importance of triangular cooperation to overcoming the challenges posed by climate change. It called for greater alignment and more partnership working between global entities and organizations to effect lasting change.
The panel discussion also featured senior officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning, Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, Comoros’ Agency for International Cooperation (ANCI) and the University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
During the discussion, Ms. Al-Hothali said, “SFD has long been committed to empowering disadvantaged people and communities across the world by providing access to vital resources and basic services. The Fund has offered ongoing support to people in need through the financing of projects related to health, education, climate activity, clean water, and the development of essential infrastructure. These projects have played an important role in improving quality of life in developing countries. All in all, SFD has financed close to 700 projects worth $18.4 billion in 84 countries.”
She added: “As part of this work, SFD has financed several sustainability projects and initiatives to tackle climate change. To date, we have provided 35 loans to finance renewable energy, flood protection, afforestation, and agricultural land reclamation projects in 23 countries, with these projects being worth a total of $1.3 billion. This reflects SFD’s commitment to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Al-Hothali also called on international organizations to focus on three key issues: the importance of cooperation to protecting the environment, developing innovative solutions to overcoming environmental challenges, and strengthening triangular cooperation to develop and safeguard effective, sustainable resources.
Al-Hothali highlighted SFD’s proud record of launching, implementing, and supporting environmental projects. She said, “SFD has worked with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Pakistani Government and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to provide a renewable source of electricity and clean energy to 1200 schools. This has helped to create jobs and opportunities for 6,000 teachers and improved educational facilities for 150,000 students. As with many projects focused on climate change, the benefits of these partnerships have extended into other areas, including education and economic development.”
SFD’s participation in the 6th International Meeting on Triangular Co-operation attests to the Fund’s unwavering dedication to promoting collaboration and protecting the environment.
ENDS