UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 aims to facilitate the development of innovative, data-driven solutions by investing in improved analytical capacities and strong knowledge management platforms. Creating an environment conducive to sharing, refining and disseminating knowledge requires long-term investments and a business model that is responsive to the changing needs of consumers of knowledge, be it policy-makers, entrepreneurs, academics, civil society organizations, advocacy groups and media.

With the objective to promote thought leadership and evidence-based policymaking for sustainable development, the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) has been investing on an innovative and technologically-advanced knowledge base that promotes research, analysis, data gathering and dissemination.

To showcase different tools and initiatives that aim to intensify the impact knowledge has on promoting inclusive sustainable development in Arab countries, RBAS is planning an event under the theme “Knowledge as a driver for sustainable development in the Arab States region”. This half-day, to be held in New York in September 2018, will be an opportunity to present and discuss the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) and the Arab Development Portal (ADP), with its first regional SDGs tracking tool.

The event will also be an opportunity to celebrate the key and long-standing partnership that UNDP has established with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) which culminated in the development of the GKI.