13 August 2018: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the energy company Repsol have signed an agreement to facilitate the advancement of sustainable development in nearly 20 countries where both organizations operate. The first global agreement between UNDP and an oil and gas company will foster collaboration to support community development and the protection of human rights by promoting local economic and social progress, environmental protection and local community efforts to achieve the SDGs.

Commenting on the partnership, Marcos Neto, UNDP, said that supporting countries in the sustainable use of natural resources requires working with companies in related industries to ensure their investments are aligned with the SDGs.

Supporting countries in the sustainable use of natural resources requires working with companies to ensure their investments are aligned with the SDGs.

The collaboration will initially take place over two years and focus on four areas: 1) exchanging information and analysis to identify potential collaborative projects; 2) engaging community stakeholders in participatory dialogue to identify local development priorities; 3) supporting projects that ensure sustainable development; and 4) sharing knowledge and experiences regarding the ways in which extractive industries can support achievement of the SDGs.

The global agreement will focus on Algeria, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Gabon, Guyana, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and Viet Nam. UNDP and Repsol have already worked together on projects in Colombia and Libya.

Repsol, a global energy company based in Madrid, Spain, is active in 37 countries and provides services across the energy value chain. [UNDP Press Release]