The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding with Zain Telecom, whereas the first of its kind agreement features the recognition of the sustainability efforts made by Zain locally and aims at establishing future join collaborations towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The MOU was signed at Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) in King Hussein Business Park by UNDP Jordan Country Director Sara Ferrer Olivella and Zain Jordan Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Hanandeh, with the presence of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan Anders Pedersen and UNDP Deputy Director in the Regional Bureau for Arab States Sara Poole.

The agreement entails the endorsement and recognition of the corporate sustainability programs being implemented all through the years, by Zain Jordan which is considered as one of the earliest adapters to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, in addition to facilitating and exploring other opportunities between both parties to support the SDGs.

On the sidelines of the agreement signing, UNDP Jordan Country Director Sara Ferrer Olivella commented: “There is a renewed emphasis across UNDP on partnering with responsible businesses to deliver sustainable development on the ground”. She added: “A successful sustainable development agenda requires partnerships between governments, the private sector, civil society and others, built on set principles and values. Today’s MoU demonstrates Zain goodwill to advance SDGs and Agenda 2030 in Jordan, a step that is very much welcomed by UNDP”.

Zain Jordan Chief Executive Officer stated: “We are proud to be one of the early supporters of the SDGs , and today we take one extra serious step signing this MOU with UNDP to join the global efforts towards achieving the SDGs and adopting these goals within our organizational culture and align with the same in our CSR and CER efforts and initiatives being in telecom industry and the leading in our market we feel that we are responsible towards our community and the global challenges, and we have our main role in enabling the efforts of achieving the SDGs for best interest of all stakeholders looking forward towards working closely with UNDP and all other partners with our commitment not to save any effort to be active and supportive.

He added: “We are also glad to announce an annual SDGs innovation award, and the adoption of the SDGs in our corporate social responsibility as well entrepreneurial responsibility and map them as much as we can to SDGs knowing that Zain spends around 5% of its profits towards the same through numerous and diversified sustainable initiatives.”