UPP Co-chair and American Task Force on Palestine President Ziad Asali is interviewed regarding the Palestinian National Authority's new report "Palestine: Moving Forward, Priority Interventions for 2010."
Promoting economic and educational opportunities for the Palestinian people
2009 End of Year Report
With the closing days of 2009, the UPP Team has issued a progress report on the Partnership's successes and its plans for 2010 in the Information & Communication Technology, Hotel & Tourism and Agribusiness sectors.
December 22: European Investment Bank Supports Middle East VC Fund
The Partnership-supported Middle East Venture Capital Fund received a commitment of 5 million euros from the European Investment Bank. The pledge was announced at a signing ceremony with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and the Ministers of National Economy and Telecommunications and Information Technology. Prime Minister Fayyad, “Palestine is open for business. We support the Middle East Venture Capital Fund efforts to contribute to economic growth in Palestine and benefit from development of stronger business ties and shared experience with the outside world and thank the European Investment Bank for their trust in this project.”
Read the full release from the European Investment Bank.
September 22: Cisco Announces Outsourcing Program in Palestine
On September 22nd, 2009, Zika Abzuk, Cisco manager of corporate social responsibility and corporate affairs, together with Tareq Maya, CEO of Exalt and dr. Sabri Saidam, senior advisor to President Abbas, presented a case study highlighting the creation of a unique outsourcing program that encourages further development of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Palestine. The program helps to establish an ecosystem that encourages technology entrepreneurship by providing outsourcing research and development and engineering projects to Palestinian software development firms.
Watch a video about the outsourcing program.
September 22: UPP Stakeholders Discuss Plans for Future Programs
On September 22, 2009, UPP leadership met with members of the public, private and nonprofit sectors to discuss ways to create economic opportunities, to expand stakeholders for peace and to support the efforts of the U.S. Government to end the Arab-Israeli conflict. Working sessions were held to discuss the information and communication technology, hotel and tourism and agribusiness sectors and the opportunities within each for growth, new jobs and the possibility of sustained economic activity.
June 15: Video Presentations from G-Pals Day in Ramallah
Google has released full video footage from the Ramallah G-Pals Day 2009, an interactive, hands-on training, co-sponsored the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership, USAID, the Case Foundation and Google, that drew more than 200 software developers and entrepreneurs. The videos have been edited into short segments to serve as a resource for those unable to attend the at-capacity event.
Summer 2009: Promoting Entrepreneurship in the West Bank
Booz Allen Hamilton Vice President Donald Pressley and Associate Cheryl Steele discuss their experience supporting the planning of the 2008 Palestine Investment Conference and their learnings about generating investment in the West Bank.
Read their article in the Summer 2009 issue of strategy+business magazine.
April 20: Craigslist Founder Provides Computers to Nablus Youth Organization
In response to the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership's call for private sector support of educational opportunities in the West Bank, Craigslist Founder Craig Newmark funds the purchase of hardware for a computer lab at the Tomorrow's Youth Organization (TYO) in Nablus. The lab will provide underserved women and youth in Nablus with improved access to new resources and opportunities.
March 24: Google Answers the Call
The U.S.-Palestinian Partnership joined Google, USAID, PITA, PICTI and the Case Foundation in hosting G-Pals Day 2009 on March 24-25, which provided in-depth training to Palestinian software developers and entrepreneurs in the West Bank.
January: U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Joins 10,000 Women Initiative
The U.S.-Palestinian Partnership is partnering with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative and American University in Cairo for the Women's Entrepreneurship and Leadership (WEL) Program, a business and management program designed for underserved women in the Middle East.
Over the next five years the WEL Program will educate 500 women in the region and serve as a resource center for women’s leadership and entrepreneurial empowerment.
January 1: Globes Magazine on the UPP Delegation to the West Bank
U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Co-Chair Jean Case and entrepreneur Steve Case discuss West Bank investment opportunities during the Co-Chairs delegation in November.
December 10: U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Meets with Palestinian Youth Center Leadership
Co-Chairs Walter Isaacson and Ziad Asali and U.S.-Palestinian Partnership representatives from the American Task Force on Palestine, the Aspen Institute, the Case Foundation, the State Department, and USAID met with the leadership of the four Youth Development and Resource Centers (YDRCs). The group, which included the Executive Directors of each center, along with officials from the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Youth and Sports and volunteers who serve on the centers' governing boards traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a special exchange program created by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
December 2008: U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Newsletter
Click here to read the December 2008 UPP Newsletter, which features updates on the recent Palestinian Business and Investment Forum, the Co-Cochairs trip to the West Bank in November and more.
November 29: The Associated Press on the Inauguration of the Beita Youth Center
A discussion of the opening of the youth development and resource center in Beita and local reactions and expectations.
November 18: U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Leaders Travel to the West Bank
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs James K. Glassman, together with UPP Co-Chairs Ziad Asali and Jean Case, led a delegation to the West Bank November 15-18. Read more about the visit.
October 14: Palestinian Business and Investment Forum
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and other keynote speakers discussed unique investment opportunities and announced millions of dollars in investments in the region by TouchStar, Cisco Systems Inc., and Intel Corp. Read more about the outcomes of the Forum.
August 2008: U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Newsletter
Click here to read the August 2008 UPP Newsletter, which contains updates on Partnership progress and information about upcoming activities.
August 1: American Charities for Palestine Signs "Historic" Partnership Agreement with USAID
A newly launched partnership between U.S.-Palestinian Partnership co-chair Ziad Asali’s American Charities for Palestine and USAID aims to expand U.S. private donor assistance to Palestinians living in West Bank and Gaza, particularly in the areas of education and health.
July 1: U.S. Senator John Kerry visits Ramallah
Senator Kerry tours the Intel Computer Clubhouse in Ramallah and speaks with the Minister of Youth and Sports and a group of Palestinian young people about the needs of youth in the West Bank and the work of the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership.
July 1: Social Edge on PIC
A discussion on private sector development in Palestine led by Adam Neiman, Palestine Investment Conference attendee and CEO of No Sweat Apparel.
May 29: The Economist
An article discussing opportunities and goodwill created by the Palestine Investment Conference as well as challenges to be overcome in the pursuit of a thriving Palestinian economy.
Summer 2008: The Aspen Idea
U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Program Director Mickey Bergman explains the work of the Partnership and reflects on a trip to the West Bank by Partnership leadership.
Palestine Investment Conference (PIC), May 21-23, Bethlehem
The PIC focused on attracting private sector investment in Palestine to create job growth and stimulate the economy.
May 29: The Chamber Post
Analysis by Daeman Harris, Vice President of Middle East and Africa Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Palestine Investment Conference attendee.
May 23: RTTNews on PIC
An article outlining the outcomes and attendance of the Palestine Investment Conference.
May 19: The Associated Press on PIC
A discussion of the goals and expectations of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and the Palestinian Authority.
April 29: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.S. private sector leaders discuss UPP
Secretary Rice and U.S.-Palestinian Partnership leadership meet with private sector leaders to discuss the strategic role of U.S. private sector investment in the West Bank.
March 5: Walter Isaacson in The Washington Post
U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Chairman Walter Isaacson explores the positive impact investments in business and educational opportunities in the West Bank can have on the peace process.
Feb. 12: Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Aspen Institute discuss UPP, role of private sector in support of peace
Prime Minister Fayyad participates in an Aspen Institute dialogue about the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership and the needs of a successful peace effort.
Feb. 11: USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore, UPP reps hold press briefing on current activities
Administrator Fore and U.S.-Palestinian Partnership leadership outline the progress and plans of the Partnership.
Dec. 4: U.S.-Palestinian Public Private Partnership Holds Inaugural Session
President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice officially launch the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership to create economic and educational opportunities for the Palestinian people.