Parties discuss projects and programs funded by the SFD RIYADH: Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, participated on Tuesday in Vienna’s OPEC Fund Development Forum. Al-Marshad was there to discuss with energy partners ways of supporting countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, and current global challenges. Al-Marshad met the President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio on the sidelines of the forum. The parties looked at the SFD’s activities in financing development projects and programs in Sierra Leone, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation, the SFD said in a statement on X. He also held talks with Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe; Maldives’ Minister of State for Finance Hussain Sham Adam; and Somalia’s Minister of Finance Bihi Egeh. The parties discussed development projects and programs funded by the SFD and currently being implemented, as well as examining ways to enhance cooperation to finance development sectors, while reviewing relations between the fund and the respective countries. The one-day forum brought together government leaders, heads of institutions and practitioners from the international development community to explore current challenges and opportunities “for delivering transformative and sustainable development” under the theme “Driving Resilience and Equity.” The SFD has contributed within the framework of its development activity in financing projects and programs over 50 years in various vital sectors in Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, supporting social growth and economic prosperity in the beneficiary communities as they work toward achieving sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.