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ADFD and MOFAIC Hold Meeting to Ensure Effectiveness of UAE Foreign Aid

Abu Dhabi,08 Nov 2017

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for development aid, hosted a high-profile delegation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) to coordinate efforts in achieving the objectives of the UAE Foreign Aid Strategy (2017-2021).

The opening session was chaired by His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and drew the participation of His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs, as well as technical committee officials and senior representatives of the two entities.

During a series of meetings and workshops, the attendees explored the latest guidelines in international development funding, examined ways to step up support through the implementation of joint initiatives across various levels, and identified methods to streamline the exchange of information and enhance cooperation in the fields of media communications and training.

The UAE Foreign Aid Strategy (2017-2021) aims to provide support to beneficiary countries through development projects that focus on three key areas – empowerment and protection of women, transport and urban infrastructure, and technical cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said: “Under the wise leadership of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, our nation has succeeded internationally in attaining a leading position in the field of foreign development assistance.”

He added: “ADFD provides development funding that alleviates global poverty and supports beneficiary countries in achieving their long-term socio-economic goals. To date, the Fund has financed 528 projects worth more than AED80 billion in 87 countries across key sectors, most notably infrastructure, transport, energy, agriculture, water and electricity, healthcare and social services.”

He concluded: “Our country’s foreign aid programmes have gone a long way in improving the quality of life for countless underprivileged communities, and the current UAE Foreign Aid Strategy further enhances the effectiveness of aid dispensed by our government and its entities. Today’s meeting and series of workshops have reinforced the shared commitment of ADFD and MoFAIC to the objectives of the policy, and will help in bolstering synergies for the near future.”

For his part, His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, said: “The coordination meeting is an example of the continuous and strong communication and cooperative efforts shared between the MoFAIC and ADFD. Furthermore, it aimed at boosting implementation of common objectives notably the vision of the UAE in providing support to brotherly and friendly countries in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as alleviating livings standards and stability.”

Together with the efforts of other national institutions, ADFD’s development work has contributed to the UAE attaining the status of top world aid donor in the field of official development assistance in 2016, according to a report by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The country was also recognised as the top world aid donor in 2013 and 2014.

The UAE Foreign Aid Report 2015 by MoFAIC ranked ADFD as the second-largest contributor of foreign aid in the country.