The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Promoting sustainable development with the Government of Japan
As countries strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, some will require support in order to reach their national targets. The Government of Japan and UNOPS are working together to provide that support.
From building sustainable and resilient infrastructure in some of the world’s most challenging environments, to procuring much-needed items that help save lives, our longstanding partnership together is making an important contribution to peacebuilding and sustainable development around the world.
Here we explore just a few of those projects ﹘ funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNOPS.
Afghanistan
Supporting renewable energy in Afghanistan
Herat is an increasingly important regional passage for agriculture and trade in Afghanistan due to its highways and planned railway network. In recent years, its electricity needs have grown due to an influx of internally displaced persons.
To address this, a project in the western province of Herat is improving power supply for around 15,000 Afghans using renewable energy. About 1,500 households and 100 businesses will benefit from electricity generated from solar panels and wind turbines, supporting the growth of private sector industries.
"Renewable energy is a strategic priority for the Government of Afghanistan in meeting the goal of generating 95% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2032,” said H.E. Eng. Ali Ahmad Osmani, Minister of Energy and Water of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
UNOPS also conducted a feasibility study on the rehabilitation of a wastewater treatment plant in the country's capital.
“We hope these two projects, incorporating an innovative approach involving the private sector and environmentally friendly solutions, will produce successful and sustainable outcomes to bring much-needed investment and funding for Afghanistan in the future," he said.
Iraq
Improving living conditions in Iraq
Japan is determined to serve displaced/returning people, refugees and host communities in Iraq while supporting Iraq’s efforts for its development.
Two projects are enhancing the living conditions and safety of the Iraqi population, benefitting more than 2 million people ﹘ many of whom are returnees to areas of Iraq liberated earlier this year.
One project is using innovative renewable off-grid/hybrid energy solutions to provide long-term, decentralized and environmentally friendly power generation that may be integrated into the national grid. The project will also help improve solid waste disposal practices in targeted areas.
Another project focuses on procuring crucial demining equipment to improve the operational capacity to the Directorate of Mine Action, the Ministry of Health and Environment, and the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Iraq, as well as the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency and their respective partners.
Ukraine
Boosting healthcare services in Ukraine
Over the last few years, several projects have been implemented in Ukraine with the aim of improving access to healthcare services.
One such project provided five regional hospitals in Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv, Vinnitsa and Lviv with anaesthetic stations that will reduce the side effects of anaesthesia and increase the speed of procedures.
During complex, long-lasting surgeries, patient monitors on the new anaesthetic stations enable doctors to obtain detailed information about a patient's condition, allowing for more precise treatment. In addition, air compressors can be adjusted to patients’ needs to allow more accurate and effective artificial ventilation of lungs.
“We must equip staff with modern tools,” said the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko. “I would like to thank Japan and UNOPS for their assistance procuring this equipment.”
Jordan
Encouraging youth employment in Jordan
Currently, there is a clear need to enhance the employability of youth through vocational training to promote economic development.
Aimed at promoting social stability in Jordan by providing improved vocational support and services to Jordanian youth, three vocational training institutes in Amman and Irbid Governorates are being rehabilitated, expanded and equipped.
“We hope this project will contribute to improved youth empowerment and their employability in the country,” said Ms. Bana Kaloti, UNOPS Director of the Middle East Region.
The project will also complement the capacity development support provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency to the Vocational Training Corporation.
Somalia
Increasing economic opportunities in Somalia
The majority of women in Somalia earn money from informal sectors – including working in local markets.
After years of conflict, many households in Bossaso ﹘ located in Somalia’s Puntland region ﹘ are reliant on money generated by women to survive. In some households, women contribute more than 70 percent to their families' income.
A fire severely damaged Bossaso Market – a place many women traders depended on for their livelihoods. Since then, a new market has been constructed with improved facilities to support women entrepreneurs.
"Many businesses will benefit from this market, which will help several different communities, including Yemeni refugees and returnees who fled from the conflict in Yemen," said Engineer Yazin Mire, Bossaso's mayor.
In addition to the new market, local entrepreneurs also received training – carried out by the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention – aimed at teaching them new skills to help their businesses thrive.
