Page 102 - UAE Foreign Aid Report 2022

United Arab Emirates
102
Foreign Aid Report 2022

Aid Allocation Overview

In 2022, the UAE demonstrated its unwavering this period. Of this cumulative sum, a dominant
commitment to supporting the Least Developed 78% took the form of grants, underscoring the
Countries (LDCs) by channeling AED 3.36 billion UAE’s commitment to support the LDCs.
(USD 914.1 million) to 35 nations in this category. Moreover, the UAE underscored its steadfast
commitment to supporting Least Developed
This represented a commendable 3% rise from Countries (LDCs) by aligning its Official
the prior year, and amounted to 27% of the UAE’s Development Assistance (ODA) contributions
entire foreign aid budget in 2022. Delving deeper, with international benchmarks. ODA is a pivotal
when exclusively focused on LDCs located in index, gauging the dedication of donor countries
Africa, the UAE’s proportion of assistance to in backing global developmental pursuits. This
LDCs jumps significantly to cover 82% of the aid measurement is crafted around standards
to the continent. instituted by the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development’s Development
A closer look reveals that the majority of the Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC).
UAE’s foreign assistance in 2022 to LDCs was
non-repayable; 65% were provided as grants, The 15-year roadmap encapsulated in the
while the remainder took the form of concessional Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
loans. emphasizes this global commitment. Particularly,
Goal 17 of the SDGs beckons developed nations
From a category of assistance standpoint, to realize their pledged ODA contributions. This
development aid to the LDCs in 2022 constituted mandate emphasizes that developed nations
a significant 69% of the foreign assistance, should allocate 0.7% of their Gross National
humanitarian aid made up 22%, with the Income (GNI) as ODA to developing countries and
remaining amount allocated for charitable giving. earmark 0.15% to 0.20% of this aid specifically
for LDCs.
From a country-specific perspective, Yemen
emerged as the top beneficiary of the UAE’s Demonstrating its unwavering resolve, the UAE
foreign assistance, receiving 43% of the aid directed 0.20% of its ODA/GNI to LDCs in 2022,
directed towards LDCs in 2022. Ethiopia and thereby meeting the international benchmark.
Somalia followed closely, and together with Analyzing the UAE’s commitment over a broader
Yemen, these three nations absorbed a substantial period from 2018 to 2022, the country’s sustained
69% of the total 2022 UAE contributions to LDCs. support for LDCs becomes more evident. With
Analyzing a broader timeframe, over the past five a notable five-year average of 0.34% ODA/GNI
years, from 2018-2022, the UAE’s cumulative aid to LDCs, the UAE’s assistance not only aligns
to LDCs reached AED 32.67 billion (USD 8.90 with but also exceeds the international targets,
billion). This represents 35% of the total aid over underlining the nation’s enduring commitment to
global development and prosperity.