Hidden in an office in the heart of Abu Dhabi are 16 workers who, at first glance, could be mistaken for any other company or agency in the metropolis.
But this apparently small team represents an organisation that has played a significant role in the development of the UAE and its proud status in the wider world.
The UAE branch of the United Nations Development Programme was created in 1977 and since then has provided technical cooperation in key areas of development. Its objectives are to provide the country with a wealth of expertise and technical cooperation in building human resources, institutions and policies that will help shape the future of the UAE and its people.It has developed a prominent and proud reputation but what exactly does it do?
Gulf News spoke to the UNDP's resident representative and coordinator, Nadir Hadj-Hammou, to discover more about his organisation's ongoing contribution.
He began by saying that the UN body had provided advice and practical assistance in a huge range of fields from government finance to environmental protection. However, he said it is not all a one-way street as the organisation has welcomed the UAE's contribution to the world and has provided advice on the country's humanitarian donations.
One of the UNDP's most recent contributions came when its staff helped to formulate a development strategy for the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. The scale of these strategies cannot be underestimated as they touch upon every aspect of civic life, business and government administration, taking lessons from what has gone before. The organisation's personnel have also assisted the country in preparing its recent major development programmes such as the National Environmental Strategy and National Environmental Action Plan and the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women in the UAE.
Empowering women
When it comes to women's issues, the UAE has made a great deal of progress especially because the theme has been embraced at the highest level.
"One of the principle advocates for the advancement of women in the country has been Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the President and Chairwoman of UAE General Women's Union," Hadj-Hammou said.
"Under her leadership, the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women was officially launched in December 2002. Now women are gradually taking up senior positions in the private and public sectors. There are currently discussions and preparations for entry of UAE women in the Federal National Council."
The organisation has provided technical advice to achieve the national strategy for the advancement of women in the country. What's more, the employment of women has been a practical step towards emiratisation and boosting skilled employment in various sectors, including education and human resources.
"This means ensuring that women are equipped with the skills they need to enter government administration and business, as well as providing IT skills."
The UNDP official said the UN joint support to the UAE in women's development continues to be of key importance. "Good results have been achieved mainly through launching the strategy on the basis of the Beijing Platform of Action. Female participation has been strengthened under the auspices of Sheikha Fatima," he added.
He also highlighted that health promotion among women of all ages had received increasing attention in the country and was now being spearheaded by local medical authorities on a regular basis.
Hadj-Hammou's team orchestrates such things as finance, administration, communications and public information, while additional staff and experts are brought in whenever the office is carrying out special projects.
The office provides advice on a range of assistance programmes, including help in infrastructure development, preparing environmental procedures and a strategy for the advancement of women, not to mention specialist advice on international trade and economic.
The organisation's partnership with government authorities covers five key priorities: institutional development, human resource development, integration into the global economy, management of natural resources and environmental regeneration.
"We are helping different government bodies improve their performance in these areas and at the same time boost public services. For example, we helped the ministry of finance meet their high-quality standards and we worked closely with officials in Abu Dhabi to establish a food monitoring centre last year."
Environment
On environmental issues, Hadj-Hammou said the UNDP had helped the UAE develop the National Environmental Action Plan, which is now ready for implementation after gaining official approval.
"We have also initiated discussions with and made a proposal to the President's Office regarding managing national water resources."
He praised President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his keen interest in ecological conservation and said protection and regeneration of the environment remains one of the president's personal areas of concern.
"His efforts have been recognised by several international awards. At the Johannesburg World Summit for Sustainable Development in September, the UAE announced the ambitious Abu Dhabi Global Environment Data Initiative, for which the country pledged an initial $5 million," the UNDP official said. Referring to the UNDP's UAE Report for 2002, he said the year had witnessed a stronger participation of the UN system in the UAE's development.
In return, the UAE continues to donate humanitarian assistance to causes all over the world and Hadj-Hammou said the UNDP was pleased to be able to help coordinate those efforts.
The latest UAE contribution to UN initiatives came last year when a World Food Programme support office was established in Dubai to provide emergency response services for the WFP and other UN agencies worldwide. The office will provide services in the area of IT, telecommunications, logistics and procurement and it acts as an emergency nerve centre for international operations.
Hadj-Hammou said one of the key elements of the agency is to further streng-then partnership with government counterparts, the non-government media and the private sector in the UAE.
KEY ROLE
Services provided to the UAE* Policy advice and technical support* Capacity development of institutions and individuals* Advocacy, communications and public information* Promoting and brokering dialogue* Knowledge networking and sharing of good practices
Partners in the UAE
* Various ministries and federal agencies, including ministries of Foreign Affairs, Planning, Finance and Industry, Economy and Commerce, Communications, and Federal Environmental Agency* Governments of individual emirates* Municipalities and Chambers of Commerce and Industry* Academic institutions, NGOs, civil society organisations and the private sector
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