By Sami Zaptia.
London, 17 June 2020:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) yesterday signed an agreement with Kia Motors in Libya to provide vocational training for at least 60 youth and women, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), across Libya.
The UNDP reported that through this agreement, it and Kia Motors will also collaborate to raise awareness on the importance of safe driving and explore innovative ways to reduce traffic accidents.
Within the framework of Discover Youth Talent programme run by Kia Motors at its IMPACT Learning training centre located in Tripoli, the UNDP-KIA initiative aims at providing greater access to sustainable income opportunities for people affected by the conflict in Libya.
The UNDP said that its Accelerator Lab will work with Kia Motors applying technologies and innovative solutions to tackle car accidents and other traffic challenges in the country.
This initiative comes as part of its efforts to support Libya in its way toward long-term economic and livelihoods recovery, UNDP said.
During the signing ceremony held online, Kia Motors CEO in Libya, Mohamed Kara, stated: “KIA Motors Libya is delighted to be a partner in this initiative that aims to develop youth, women and internally displaced persons as well as raising awareness on road safety principles and safe and proper driving to help reduce the rate of traffic accidents.”
The Chairperson of HB Group, Husni Bey, said: “It is a great honour for us to sign this partnership agreement, especially for our colleagues at Kia Motor in Libya, to create this must-needed platform for capacity building for Libyans. We have few mechanics educated in Libya and this is a great opportunity for young people to learn a profession that could open job opportunities in a prosperous Libya.” Kia Motors Libya is part of the HB Group.
On his part, UNDP Resident Representative in Libya, Gerardo Noto, said: “Our livelihoods and economic recovery efforts are the fundamental steps to address vulnerabilities and inequalities in Libya. Involving the private sector is key to sustain growth, maintain social cohesion, and create jobs in the country. This partnership will not only contribute to recovery and stabilization in Libya but also to reducing the number of traffic accidents, which is one of the primary causes of death in the country.”
Within this collaboration, UNDP and Kia Motors also agreed to explore new initiatives that they can implement together to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Libya towards improving people’s lives leaving no one behind.
The UNDP said that this agreement is another step in UNDP efforts to engage and partner with the private sector to support SDGs implementation in Libya.
It will be noted that the UNDP had signed a similar agreement with Toyota Libya in 2019. Toyota Libya had launched its youth training programme back in November 2012.
https://www.libyaherald.com/2019/10/12/the-eu-and-undp-to-give-vocational-training-for-20-young-libyans-at-toyota-libya/
https://www.libyaherald.com/2014/05/06/toyota-trainees-graduate-at-misrata-ceremony/
https://www.libyaherald.com/2013/09/09/toyota-libya-boosts-career-prospects-of-more-young-libyans/
https://www.libyaherald.com/2012/12/31/toyota-libya-launches-discover-your-talent-training-programme/
