The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, MBRSG, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, to promote the school’s executive training programmes for top government officials.

MBRSG’s programmes focus on governance and public policy in the Arab world, seeking to empower government employees, hone their skills and upgrade government performance.

In the signed agreement, both parties pledge to work together and publish periodic reports and publications that highlight government best practices across the Middle East and North Africa region.

The agreement also details both parties will work with the school’s international academic partners to issue case studies and white papers on governance, performance, institutional excellence and innovation, knowledge economy, planning, resource and operations management, in addition to works that pertain to UNDP key focus areas such as sustainable development, government capacity-building, community development, and crisis management, among others.

"There is a growing need for international collaboration, especially in the government and community development fields. Harmonising efforts is key to making positive change in people’s lives. This is where our collaboration with the UNDP comes in, our end goal is to build bridges, promote cooperation in government work, share our success with countries around the region and the world, and, ultimately, develop plans to forecast and plan for the future," said MBRSG’s Executive President, Ali Sebaa Al-Marri.

He added, "The UAE has extensive experience and deep knowledge with regards to government excellence. The country adopts modern academic approaches as a cornerstone of government work, which positions it as an influential global leader to public-sector decision makers around the world."

Frode Mauring, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the UAE, said, "We look forward to working with the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, which has always played an essential role in equipping the region’s current and future policy makers with practical skills and a global outlook on public administration. We are confident that this agreement will allow the UNDP to put its vast network of expertise at the disposal of policy makers in the region, and pave the way for integrated action to promote good governance."

The agreement also states that the two parties will work together to host international events that focus on the development of leadership and management capabilities, similar to MBRSG’s UAE Public Policy Forum, which showcases the latest government applications, best practices and general strategies that have proved effective in achieving their stated objectives.