UAE keen to partner with United Nations on aid

Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation, met Prof Jeffrey Sachs, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Head of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the USA, and his accompanying delegation on the sidelines of the 2nd Government Summit on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Shaikha Lubna highlighted the UAE’s keenness to “enhance cooperation and partnership with the United Nations along with international organisations and the entire world to create a better world, free of hazards and threats faced by humanity, in addition to enhancing sustainable development, which aims to provide a decent life for all people around the world and raise the satisfaction and welfare indicators in developing and poor countries.

“That is clearly expressed in the UAE’s increased efforts and elevated status as one of the most generous donor countries worldwide, as per the directives of UAE’s wise leadership to assist and support affected people of the humanitarian emergencies all over the world and establishing development projects in the developing countries.”

Shaikha Lubna also said the efforts of the UAE’s wise leadership and their unlimited support have helped the UAE getting the 14th rank on the UN’s International Happiness Index, as the UAE government is adopting development strategies that aim to provide a decent and quality life to the citizens and residents.

It is also working on drawing a road map for happiness and alleviating the suffering of affected people, in coordination with all international participants and development organisations, and provide assistance and support 
to developing countries and 
people in need, mentioning 
the efforts of many UAE humanitarian organisations and diverse activities.

She also reviewed the UAE’s efforts in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) related to the UAE, as an 
active participant in achieving these goals.

Prof Sachs underlined that the UAE has managed, within four decades, to build an unprecedented development model in the region that contributed to providing a happy existence for citizens and residents.

He also commended the philosophy and wisdom of the UAE’s leadership in promoting welfare in the UAE as well as all over the world.

The meeting was attended by Hazza Al Qahtani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, and Rashid Al Teneiji, Director of Communication and International Relations Department.