H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Khaled OSAILY, Minister of National Economy of the State of Palestine, on the sidelines of the 39th Ministerial Session of the COMCEC, on 4 December 2023, in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye.

The meeting focused on strengthening the collaboration between SESRIC and relevant Palestinian national institutions in this challenging situation. H.E. SELÇUK highlighted the importance of collaboration between SESRIC and the national institutions of the State of Palestine while also recognizing the value of technical cooperation and capacity building.

H.E. SELÇUK has emphasized the active involvement of SESRIC in enhancing capacity and fostering strong partnerships with Palestine across various sectors. The Centre has been dedicated to implementing initiatives such as capacity-building programs, technical cooperation, MoUs, and collaborations in order to support Palestine’s development.

SESRIC offers a wide range of sector-specific capacity-building programs, covering areas such as statistics, central banking, agriculture, water resources, social development, and diplomacy. 149 activities, including training courses, workshops, webinars, network meetings, and projects, have been organized by SESRIC for the benefit of National Institutions in Palestine.

Palestine holds a pivotal role in various networks and initiatives, notably the OIC Public Employment Services Network (OIC-PESNET) and the OIC Statistical Commission (OIC-StatCom). Furthermore, Palestine currently holds the position of Permanent Vice-Chair in both OIC-PESNET and OIC-StatCom, highlighting its active participation and contribution. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) has demonstrated its commitment by participating in all 12 sessions of the OIC-StatCom since its establishment.

SESRIC has established a strong partnership with PCBS, evidenced by the signing of two MoUs in 2016 and 2021. These agreements have aimed to provide support for the 2021 Smoking and Tobacco Consumption Survey in Palestine. Additionally, SESRIC collaborates with various Palestinian institutions, including the Palestine Monetary Authority, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, and National Technical Committee. In 2020, SESRIC assisted the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency (PICA) in publishing the “Yes, Palestine Can” guidebook. A MoU was also signed with PICA in 2018, and the Centre is currently working on organizing specific collaborative activities to support Palestinian diplomats.

Through its dedicated efforts and numerous initiatives, SESRIC continues to play a crucial role in fostering capacity-building, strengthening partnerships, and promoting socio-economic development in Palestine.