Sheikh Mohammed hails UAE commitment to foreign aid

The UAE is the leader in development assistance compared to its gross national income, according to an international report.

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ABU DHABI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has hailed the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian work, after a preliminary report showed the country continues to be a top foreign aid donor.

The UAE’s ratio of foreign aid compared to gross national income is showing the world that the country is “built on great human values”, Sheikh Mohammed said.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces was commenting on a report published by the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee.

The preliminary data showed that the UAE provided Dh15.23 billion in official development assistance last year, representing 1.12 per cent of GNI. More than 54 per cent of the aid was offered in grants.

Norway ranked second, with 1.11 per cent, followed by Luxembourg at 1 per cent and Sweden with 0.94 per cent.

Giving is a value sowed in UAE culture by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, Sheikh Mohammed said. The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has declared 2017 as the Year of Giving.

“It has become a way of life that defines the UAE and it’s felt around the world,” he said. “We in the UAE will remain committed to our human and values ethos, which give humankind hope for a better future.”

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said UAE foreign aid is a global model in humanitarian and development work.

The OECD committee said its final data on foreign aid will be announced in December.

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