Lubna Al Qasimi: 2015 paved the way for building an integrated sector based on strategies and policies to ensure sustainable leadership by the state

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 23 January 2016: In 2015,the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) achieved a qualitative leap in its efforts to establish and strengthen the presence of the United Arab Emirates globally as the most generous country worldwide, by taking advantage of official efforts and coordinating with UAE donors and international missions to shaping the humanitarian and honorable image of the UAE among nations.

HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation, and Chairman of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Foreign Humanitarian Aid, said that the successes achieved in 2015 are a prelude to building an integrated sector based on strategies and policies to maintain the leading humanitarian role of the state.

She said that the achievements are part of a humanitarian approach focused on supporting the aspirations of peoples and extending a helping hand to the needy. This approach is a pillar of the state's foreign policy under the guidance of its wise leadership represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State; his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, arising from the philosophy of the founding father, the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi added that the ministry has worked to consolidate its mission, which seeks to achieve development at the global level by directing the country's public policies in this field; managing development and international assistance programs and maximizing their impact in various fields of development; and strengthening cooperation with local, regional, and international organizations and donors. These efforts are based on the UAE's vision to be a leader in development and international cooperation at the regional and international level.

MICAD's achievements in 2015 fall under the umbrella of its regulatory framework, in line with the directives of the country's leadership and UAE Vision 2021. In relation to the UAE foreign aid sector, the ministry is involved in boosting international relations, and the establishing regional and global partnerships in various developmental fields.

Foreign aid policy and strategy

In the context of the UAE's leading role in humanitarian and development aid, MICAD, in consultation with strategic partners, has developed a policy and strategy for the country's foreign aid programme.

During the next phase, UAE donors will focus on a number of priorities in terms of foreign aid, including regions that require priority aid and target sectors, and building effective partnerships in this area.

The UAE foreign aid policy, will help develop a comprehensive vision about the nature of the country's foreign aid during the next 10 years, along with the first draft of the foreign aid strategy and the communication strategy for the next five years.

UAE foreign aid reports

The annual UAE foreign report released in June 2010, which includes details on development, humanitarian, and charitable activities by the state, is considered as the main reference for decision-makers, Emirati and international donor institutions, and researchers in the field of foreign aid. It also contributes to enhancing transparency and credibility, in addition to enhancing the status of the state as a major international donor.

In 2015, the ministry prepared more than 100 specialized reports for strategic partners and stakeholders, as well as 45 statistical reports about the state's response to humanitarian crises, including the Syrian and Yemeni crises.

Documenting date on foreign aid with international organizations

In support of the strategic priorities set by the UAE, the UAE Office For Coordination of Foreign Aid, whose functions have been incorporated into the MICAD system, has begun the documentation of foreign aid provided by the UAE since 2009 with the committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Tracking Service (FTS) Service provided by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) based on international standards adopted by the two sides. The documentation contributed to facilitating access to the UAE's foreign aid data, and thus allows comparison with other international donors.

The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) calculates the percentage of official development assistance compared with the gross national income each year and determines the UAE's rank among the most generous states in the international arena.  According to DAC, the UAE is the first non-member donor in the committee to conduct comprehensive documentation of foreign assistance.

Excellence and innovation

2015 also saw the launch of the first MICAD Excellence Awards, which honored outstanding employees from the ministry's various departments and sectors. The event was part of the ministry's efforts that encourage the adoption of the concept of excellence as an effective tool and means to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the UAE, and to meet the country's aspirations in implementing the highest standards of quality and excellence.

MICAD also launched in 2015 the UAE Innovation in Foreign Aid Award, which is aimed at expanding the scope of the implementation of innovative development and humanitarian response solutions, and encouraging all donors, as well as UAE development, humanitarian, and charitable institutions to present effective contributions to increase the impact of aid on the lives of beneficiaries, by providing innovative solutions that lead to the consolidation and unification of efforts in the relevant fields, while maintaining quality and efficiency at work.

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About the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD):
The Ministry of International Cooperation and Development was established in march 2013, as a part of the cabinet blessed by the approval of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Ruler of Dubai. HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid AL Qasimi was assigned as a Minister of International Cooperation and Development. The Ministry is part of the UAE's Federal Cabinet. It is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with a branch office in Dubai.

© Press Release 2016