Foreign Aid

Foreign aid is one of the top priorities in the UAE's external relations approach. The philosophy behind this is two-fold: first, it is dictated by an Islamic belief that helping those in need is a primary duty; and second, that part of the country’s wealth from oil and gas should be devoted to assisting other countries and individuals that are less fortunate.

The country continuously extends its financial and humanitarian aid to several countries, whether through development programs, infrastructure projects, or offering aid to countries suffering from wars and natural disasters directly or indirectly, through the UAE's membership in the donor countries' group in the OCHA, as well as contributing to other UN programs and with other organizations in the fields.

Overall, during the last three-and-a-half decades, the UAE has contributed more than Dh255 billion (US$70 bn) in loans, grants and assistance for development projects in nearly 100 countries around the world. While much of the assistance is provided on a government-to-government basis, the country is also a major contributor to international agencies, having made Dh100 billion (US$27 bn) available through the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The Government has established a new body to coordinate all the humanitarian efforts undertaken by the UAE. Called the UAE Foreign Aid Coordination Office (FACO) and set up in collaboration with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the new forum is chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This will lead to the UAE becoming more involved at the multilateral level rather than focusing on support through traditional bilateral means.

The UAE has also set up various foundations to undertake this major humanitarian role, including the Abu Dhabi Development Fund, the Khalifa Charity Foundation, the Red Crescent Society, the Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Foundation, Noor Dubai Initiative which was launched recently with the objective of treating one million people suffering from eye diseases in Africa and Asia.

Assistance Continues
- In spite of the impact of the financial and economic crisis on the economies and development projects in the region, the UAE continued its humanitarian, relief and development assistance programmes in many countries. This was conducted either directly by the Government and its affiliated organisations or through the donor groups and the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Assistance.
  
  In addition, the UAE continued its contributions to the programmes of regional agencies and international organisations aimed at alleviating the suffering of several countries from high food prices, poverty, illiteracy and the spread of diseases.
  
  The fact that the UAE is among the key donors and contributors to UN programmes and activities was acknowledged by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon during a visit to the UAE in February 2009. The UN Chief praised the UAE’s humanitarian stance and its efforts in alleviating the sufferings of people in various parts of the world during natural disasters and human conflicts.
  
  As part of its humanitarian aid policy, the UAE has contributed to building hospitals and townships as well as assisting in relief operations in strife-torn Iraq, Palestinian territories and Lebanon. Further, organizations like the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), Red Crescent Authority (RCA), Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Aid, Khalifa bin Zayed Charity Foundation, Sheikha Fatima bin Mubarak Fund for Refugee Women, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and the Sharjah Charity Association and Humanitarian Foundation provide billions of dollars to support disaster- and drought-stricken areas. In addition, a number of private humanitarian efforts have also been undertaken.

Other Efforts
- In other efforts, the Dubai Cares campaign continued its activities after raising about Dh3.65 billion (US$1 bn) during an eight-week charity drive in 2007 to help educate one million children in poor countries around the world.
  
  This is a contribution towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals of providing primary education to every child by 2015. Similarly, Noor Dubai – administered by the Dubai Health Authority – cooperates with the World Health Organisation and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness in their mission to treat and prevent blindness.
  
  The UAE Government also participates in a number of other multilateral aid-giving institutions, including the International Development Agency, OPEC Fund for International Development, Arab Gulf Fund for the United Nations, Arab bank for Economic Development in Africa, the Abu Dhabi-based Arab Monetary Fund and Islamic Development Bank. In recent years, however, the emphasis has been on humanitarian assistance for those affected by natural disasters or conflict and poverty.

UAE and the International Agenda

Energy & Climate
Change

Climate includes patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind and seasons. “Climate change” affects more than just a change in the weather; it refers to seasonal changes over a long period of time. These climate patterns play a fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems and the human economies and cultures that depend on them.

Foreign Aid

Foreign aid is one of the top priorities in the UAE's external relations approach.

Environment

Conserving environment and the natural resources for sustainable development.

UAE Nuclear Program

The UAE believes that the most environmentally friendly and most sustainable solution to its energy requirements is electricity generated by nuclear plants.

Human Rights

The foreign policy of the UAE prides itself with justice, protection and respect of human rights and their implementation by means of regulations that emphasize equality and justice among the people of the country.

Human Trafficking

In recent years, the most severe test for the country’s human rights record has come from problems associated with labour issues, specifically human trafficking. Some of the temporary contractual workers that the UAE receives every year from throughout the world, unfortunately, are deceived by labour recruiters and become victims of human trafficking.


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Foreign Aid

Assistance Continues

Other Efforts