Doha, Qatar – 30 January 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) have signed an agreement to support the development of an Arabic-language Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Islamic Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The agreement, which was formalized on 30 January 2025, marks a significant milestone in promoting financial inclusion and sustainable economic development through Islamic finance. 

The initiative, implemented through the UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) and facilitated by UNDP Qatar aims to enhance capacity-building and knowledge-sharing across the Arab world. The course will provide essential training and resources to professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in leveraging Islamic finance for sustainable development.  

The agreement was signed on behalf of UNDP by Francine Pickup, Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director, BPPS, and on behalf of QFC by Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, and Henk J. Hoogendoorn, Chief Financial Sector Officer. The project covers key areas such as Islamic financial instruments, impact investment strategies, and the role of Islamic finance in achieving the SDGs. It will be available online, providing flexible access to a diverse audience across the region. 

Francine Pickup, Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director, BPPS, emphasized the importance of expanding accessibility to reach a broader audience, stating: “UNDP’s partnership with Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is instrumental in advancing capacity-building efforts on sustainable development through Islamic finance. The strong global interest in this area is evident, with approximately 5000 participants completing the English version of our Islamic Finance for the SDGs course. Expanding accessibility through an Arabic version is a crucial step - Arabic is spoken by more than 300 million people and is one of the UN’s six official languages. This initiative will enhance understanding of Islamic finance’s role in achieving the 2030 Agenda, fostering greater engagement and impact across the Arabic-speaking world.”

Commenting on the agreement, Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, QFC said: “The Qatar Financial Centre is honored to collaborate with the United Nations Development Programme in this education initiative. QFC has always believed in the immense potential of Islamic finance to address many socio-economic challenges that impede progress towards a more equitable and sustainable world. This collaboration presents a significant opportunity to raise awareness of this powerful financial framework and how it can be utilized for personal, business and economic growth.”

This initiative aligns with Qatar’s broader commitment to sustainable finance and its strategic vision to position itself as a global hub for Islamic finance innovation. The project is expected to launch later in 2025, with outreach and promotional activities ensuring widespread engagement. 

ABOUT THE QATAR FINANCIAL CENTRE

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is an onshore business and financial centre located in Doha, providing an excellent platform for firms to do business in Qatar and the region. The QFC offers its own legal, regulatory, tax and business environment, which allows up to 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, and charges a competitive rate of 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits. The QFC welcomes a broad range of financial and non-financial services firms.

For more information about the permitted activities and the benefits of setting up in the QFC, please visit www.qfc.qa 

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