UAE minister counts her country’s achievements on humanitarian crises

ISLAMABAD: Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of International Cooperation and Development and President of Zayed University, has said that the foreign relations of the UAE and its openness to all countries under the guidance of leadership, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has contributed to supporting global efforts to promote development in all developing countries and poor communities, as well as the ability of active states and humanitarian and relief organisations to effectively respond to all humanitarian crises and disasters.

This approach is in line with the UAE's efforts toward enhancing its positive participation in finding solutions for current challenges that threaten the future of humanity, including those related to climate change and the spread of infectious and dangerous diseases. She expressed the views while talking to Annick Girardin, French Minister of State for Development, and the accompanying delegation at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi.

They discussed ways to strengthen the partnership between the UAE and France in all areas of humanitarian action and international development. Sheikha Lubna said the strong and historical relations between the two countries in all fields are consistent with the partnership and convergence on supporting and improving international development efforts and strengthening the capacity of humanitarian institutions in the two countries, in order to efficiently respond to various humanitarian crises in light of the deterioration and complexity of many humanitarian crises, particularly the Syrian crisis.

She discussed UAE efforts to respond to these crises through the provision of various support channels, humanitarian results achieved concerning the crisis in Yemen, and the significant improvements to UAE humanitarian aid under the directives of the state's wise leadership.

The UAE has ranked first as the world's largest donor to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where its efforts have included the provision of various types of assistance, from which more than 1.8 million Yemeni people have benefited. In 2015, the UAE granted $447 million aid. The state's efforts included the rehabilitation of infrastructure and the provision of humanitarian relief in the various governorates of Yemen.

They also discussed the positive impact resulting from the signing by world countries of the global climate agreement last December in Paris, in the presence of world leaders, while focusing on forthcoming efforts to support the capacities and direction of countries towards adopting clean energy practices and the importance of stepping up international efforts to support renewable energy projects, particularly in developing countries.

Girardin praised the UAE support for developing countries and poor communities, and its emergency response to various humanitarian crises. She commended the progress achieved by both countries in all areas and their bilateral relations, and the UAE's adoption of ambitious plans to promote economic diversification and focus on renewable energy projects. She also met with Yannick Glemarec, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy and Programme of UN-Women.

The meeting discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation between the UAE and UN Women, the main achievements made by Emirati women in various development forums and areas, and the UAE's success in reinforcing women empowerment strategies and improving their contributions, in addition to the need to exchange visits and consult on women's global issues. The two meetings were also attended by Najla Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation, and Dr Riad Al Muhaidib, Zayed University Manager.