The Arab Fund and ILO Collaborate to Boost Employment Impact of Development Programs

Kuwait, December 19, 2024 – The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly concluded a two-day workshop to promote sustainable employment impact in development operations and support inclusive growth across the Arab region.

The workshop, hosted by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development with participation from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) – a strategic group of ten leading Arab development finance institutions – provided a platform for capacity-building, technical assistance, and innovative partnerships, aligning local efforts with global best practices. It convened experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative tools and methodologies for enhancing employment outcomes in development initiatives.

ILO Deputy Regional Director for Arab States, Peter Rademaker said “this event underscores the ILO’s commitment to fostering sustainable employment and regional cooperation to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving global labour market in partnership with ACG members”. “The ILO’s expertise in social safeguards, including ensuring occupational safety, and promoting compliance with international labour standards, is integral to creating impactful and equitable employment outcomes.”

The discussions focused on addressing the jobs crisis in the Arab region and enhancing collaboration for sustainable development. Key topics included employment assessments, job-creating investments, and sharing international best practices.

“We highly value our cooperation with the ILO, which provides valuable learning experiences essential for enhancing our operations in the Arab region,” said Badr AlSaad, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. “This workshop elevates our understanding of how to measure and maximize impactful employment outcomes to address the job crisis in the Arab World.”

Participants shared experiences on how to maximize employment outcomes and were introduced to best practices such as the African Development Bank’s Youth, Jobs, and Skills Marker System and strategies to integrate employment-intensive approaches and conduct robust impact assessments.  and enhance employment impacts.

About The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development:

The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development is a regional organization aimed at supporting the socioeconomic growth of all Arab countries. Since 1974, it has invested over $36.4 billion in loans and $1.6 billion in grants, focusing on critical projects across various sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, agri-business, and water, while also providing technical expertise to promote sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for all Arabs. For more information please visit: www.arabfund.org