The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Center for Zakat Management (CZM), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 15, 2020, for unlocking financing opportunities that would help to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammad Ayub Miah, Chief Executive Officer, CZM and Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh on behalf of their respective Organisations, at the latter’s office in Dhaka.
Under the agreement, both the parties will work on exploring different financing tools with a focus on Zakat,  best utilization of the Zakat fund that is aligned with the SDGs and evaluate the effectiveness, measure efficiency and impact of Zakat-based development programs. Dialogues will be arranged to identify different instruments and to enhance understanding on SDGs for Zakat fund.
Signing the MoU, Sudipto Mukerjee said, “UNDP is happy to partner with  CZM and  maximize developmental returns from Zakat. Conceptually, unlike CSR, where there is an expectation for visibility, Zakat is completely unconditional. I believe, coming together we can achieve more.” 

Dr. Mohammad Ayub Miah, in his remarks said, “Zakat strongly aligns with a number of goals in the global 2030 agenda. CZM is looking forward to working with UNDP and thus further enhancing credibility in mobilizing and disbursing Zakat Funds”

Among others, Niaz Rahim, Chairman, Arastoo Khan, Treasurer, Munir Ibn Hafiz from CZM were present, while from UNDP, Sonia Mehzabeen, Operations Manager, Rezwana Hoque Chaity, Programme Support Manager, Md. Mozammel Haque, Policy Specialist, Md Shariful Hoque, Project Coordinator, SFLP and Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications were also present.