Abu Dhabi's Hope Consortium will help to deliver 65 ultra-cold freezers to Africa for the storage of Covid-19 vaccines.
The global logistics centre will work with Unicef to ensure vaccines donated by the US are safely supplied to the continent.
The initiative is in line with the Covax project, led by the World Health Organisation, to ensure people in all parts of the world are immunised against Covid-19.
The consortium, made up of Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports, Maqta Gateway, Rafed, and SkyCell, was established last year with the mission to distribute billions of vaccine doses around the world.
The freezers are essential to plans to deliver vaccines – which must be kept at extremely low temperatures – to 21 countries in Africa.
Assistance will be provided to nations including Cameroon, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mauritania, Niger and Zambia.
“The UAE remains committed to doing our part to mitigate the effects of the pandemic by helping countries overcome the logistical and technical challenges associated with the delivery of large-scale vaccination programmes," said Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation for International Development Affairs.
"Our partnership with Unicef plays a vital role in helping implement an effective global response to Covid-19, particularly in Africa. We are proud to support international efforts such as Covax by dedicating the unique services of the Hope Consortium.”
Etleva Kadilli, director of Unicef's supply division, said the aid effort is key to ensuring vaccine equality as the world continues to fight the pandemic.
“These deliveries of ultra-cold freezers mark an important step towards equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines," she said.
"This critical infrastructure will boost the capacity of African countries to scale Covid-19 vaccine roll-out and will also support the management of other vaccines that may require ultra-cold storage temperatures."
Capt Mohamed Al Shamsi, chairman of the executive committee of the Hope Consortium and managing director of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said the capital is in a prime position to support the global vaccination drive.
“Abu Dhabi’s strategic location as a medical and life sciences hub coupled with the Hope Consortium’s ultra-cold chain capabilities make us a natural partner to support Covax’s global mission," he said.
"Since no one is safe until everyone is safe, it is imperative to ensure that all nations across the world possess the capabilities required to store and administer a wide array of vaccines globally available.
"By working with Unicef, Etihad and our logistics partners together, we are committed to do our part in helping establish the necessary cold-chain infrastructure needed to deliver hope and the necessary supplies to communities in need and help chart a path towards a lasting recovery.”
Earlier this year, the Hope Consortium expanded a vast freezer farm set up to store Covid-19 vaccines at ultra-cold temperatures.
Abu Dhabi Ports took delivery of an additional 32 freezers at its Kizad storage facility, raising the number of units to 53.
The enormous warehouse was already central to the mission of the Hope Consortium.
Monday's results
- UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
- Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
- Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
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