"The Government is continuously seeking to develop its performance and provide the best services for the citizens, and elevate development in Palestine," said Mufeed Al Hasayneh, Minister of Public Works and Housing, at the one-day event in Ramallah on 27 February, where UNOPS outlined its Evidence Based Infrastructure Development Framework (EBIDF), in partnership with Oxford University's Infrastructure Transition Research Consortium.

The discussion, "Fast Track Analysis for National Infrastructure in Palestine," brought together high-level Government officials and infrastructure practitioners to discuss current and future needs to the infrastructure environment in the State of Palestine.

Mr. Al Hasayneh added: "We have to unite all the efforts to come up with an effective and innovative plan to challenges such as population growth, and climate change."

EBIDF presents a comprehensive road map to the way Governments and practitioners think about and plan for infrastructure.

"By implementing this framework, Governments can set and achieve a long-term national vision, incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals, and delivering on the national development agenda," said Nick O'Regan, UNOPS Director in Jerusalem.

He added to audience members: "To meet the development needs of a rapidly growing population, Governments need to create meaningful partnerships with the private sector to complement development budgets if they are to realize their development agendas. To do this, Governments need to create an enabling environment that attracts private-sector investment and regulates their involvement to make sure it aligns with the overall national development agenda, and does not undermine it. EBIDF provides Governments a road map for this, together with cutting edge and international best practice approaches and tools."