The Road to the SDGs

T H E R O A D T O T H E S D G s | P R O G R E S S A N D A C H I E V E M E N T S X The GCDP is a multi-stakeholder partnership anchored around three major players: – IsDB, representing the Arab Gulf States – EIB, representing the EC and EU member states – WB, covering its own contribution and other bilateral international donors. ACHIEVEMENTS X Developing this large infrastructure investment in the context of the Gaza Strip is a time-consuming and difficult task, particularly given the challenging geopolitical environment surrounding the programme. X Despite the challenges, a number of actions have been completed. X The initiative has achieved financial close, as the partners have been able to mobilise the amount needed to finance the programme. X The feasibility study has been completed, providing an environment-friendly solution to energy supply for the desalination plant, which benefits from: – A power supply package composed of photovoltaics, wind turbines and reciprocating engines – Renewable energy, which is expected to provide up to 15% of the annual energy consumption to help mitigate the impacts of climate change in the water- stressed region. X All the land needed for the programme implementation has been acquired, and some of the associated works financed by the WB are under implementation. X The conceptual design of the water desalination plant has been completed. X Bidding documents have been finalised and the selection of the contractor to design, build and operate the desalination plant is underway. INVESTMENT X With a minimum proposed contribution from IsDB of US$ 7.5 million, it has been possible for IsDB to mobilise resources amounting to € 582 million from a coalition of international partners, including the EC, the EIB and the WB. X IsDB is currently negotiating with its main partner, the EIB, to finalise the details of the agreement for an EIB-managed trust fund for channelling financial resources to the programme. X IsDB is also negotiating with the regional donors, namely Abu Dhabi and KSA, for parallel agreements to manage the pledged resources on their behalf. X In February 2020, the Board of Executive Directors formally approved the establishment of an IsDB-managed trust fund to channel the Arab Gulf States funding of the GCDP. X As the project evolves, IsDB will be administering a trust fund for € 291 million in grant resources. These resources will help achieve SDGs 3, 6, 13 and 17. X This unprecedented achievement is fully aligned with the commitment of the P5P to mobilise resources for MCs to achieve the SDGs. M O B I L I S E D R E S O U R C E S With a minimum proposed contribution of US$ 7.5 million IsDB was able to mobilise resources amounting to €582 million [ 119 ]