The UAE announced that the value of its foreign aid exceeded 28.5 billion dirhams (7.79 billion US dollars) in the past year 2018, which targeted 42 countries around the world.
This came in a report issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation today (Thursday), clarifying the volume of foreign aid to the UAE, which is an annual report issued by the country, within the framework of its commitment to international standards related to the announcement of data of foreign aid to donor countries.
The report reflects the success of the UAE for the sixth consecutive year in exceeding the value of its aid by 0.7 per cent of gross national product, which was approved by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, where the proportion of Emirati assistance to the gross national product reached about 0.93 per cent, and this makes The UAE is among the largest donors in the world.
His Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation Affairs said that the UAE has undertaken to support brotherly and friendly countries, whether in the field of supporting development projects or through the humanitarian response to disasters and crises, and in a manner that supports prosperity and stability in these countries, and alleviating suffering Humanity in it, and in cooperation with regional and international partners and United Nations agencies working in the humanitarian and development fields.
Her Excellency extended thanks and gratitude to the UAE donors and to all international partners, who contribute with the UAE in serving the sustainable development goals 2030, and believe that giving and cooperation is the best way to achieve prosperity and stability, and in a way that guarantees future generations to live in a better world.
It is noteworthy that in 2018 the UAE continued to support the seventeen sustainable development goals, with more than 50 percent of the total aid amounting to 28.26 billion dirhams / 7.79 billion US dollars disbursed to support peace, justice, economic growth and poverty eradication initiatives.
While the value of the commitments made by the UAE last year amounted to 10.33 billion dirhams / 2.81 billion US dollars /, to support development and humanitarian aid in many countries, including 14 least developed countries.
Foreign aid programs include emergency health care, provision of transportation, aid to support education, power generation, medical aid, and food aid, as well as other aspects.
The report also provides details of the assistance programs undertaken by the UAE in Africa from 2014 to 2018, with a value of 61.8 billion dirhams / 16.83 billion US dollars, while the value of its support to Asia - in the same period - 48.04 billion dirhams / 13.08 billion Dollars /.
The report also provides details on the UAE's support for small island states in the South Pacific, to provide them with clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind projects, as well as women's empowerment in Afghanistan, and aid to Sudan, Palestine and Yemen