High-level Launch Event | Tuesday, 11 May 2021
What: The United Nations and the Islamic Development Bank will hold a high-level event to launch talks on unlocking the potential of Islamic social financing to support global efforts to end extreme poverty, boost economic development, respond to the impact of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and help countries get back on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals – the world’s blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.
Launching the International Dialogue on the Role of Islamic Social Financing in Achieving the SDGs, the event will jump-start discussions, including with global leaders and Islamic institutions. The Dialogue is part of the Initiative on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond, which calls on the international community to utilize innovative forms of public and private finance to support pandemic response.
Why: To explore avenues for leveraging Islamic social financing to aid countries in debt distress, communities living in fragile and conflict-affected situations such as refugees, and those suffering from increased poverty and hunger.
When: Tuesday 11 May 2021, 8–8.50 a.m. Eastern time/3–3.50 p.m. Jeddah time.
Where: Livestreamed on YouTube and UN Web TV.
Who: Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
Dr. Bandar Hajjar, President, Islamic Development Bank Group
Dr. Rola Dashti, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations
Dr. Ahmed Al Meraikhi, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General
For more information:
Mr. Abdikadir Abdi, Regional Press Officer, Islamic Development Bank, +966 53 696 6028; ababdi@isdb.org
Ms. Maryam Sleiman, ESCWA, Public Information Assistant, +961- 81-769-888; sleiman2@un.org
Ms. Rania Harb, ESCWA, Public Information Assistant, +961-70-008-879; harb1@un.org
