The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, to enhance cooperation between the two entities.

The terms of the MoU provide for holding workshops on the sidelines of the Dubai International Projects Management Forum, focusing on humanitarian and development projects.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, signed the MoU with Frode Mauring, UNDP Resident Representative to the United Arab Emirates, signing on behalf of the UNDP.

Al Tayer said he was delighted with the agreement with the UNDP, as "it concurs with the announcement of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan declaring 2017 as the Year of Giving in the UAE. It also reflects the noble values of the UAE community, which gives much weight to social responsibility and the spirit of collaboration with community members."

He continued, "As part of its initiatives marking the #Year of Giving, RTA has launched the ‘RTA Foundation’ with the aim of delivering charitable services and non-profit seeking social initiatives offering transit means to specific individuals or bodies. In coordination between the RTA, government bodies and the private sector, the foundation will seek to enhance charitable projects related to public transport in underdeveloped and disadvantaged countries to bring about a positive impact on the standard of living in those countries.

Frode Mauring will take part in a discussion panel headlined, "Development Project Management" on the second day of the Dubai International Projects Management Forum 2017. Participants in the session include Saeed Al Tayer, CEO and Managing Director of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and Mohammed Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.