Emirati businessman Mohammed Bin Ham Al Ameri joins The Giving Pledge campaign

Dubai - Al Ameri pledges to give more than half of his wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes.

An Emirati businessman and former Federal National Council Member Sheikh Dr Mohammed Bin Musallam Bin Ham Al Ameri has joined the Giving Pledge as it continues to expand internationally with the addition of philanthropists from China, Norway, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, as well as the United States.
Founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett in 2010, the Giving Pledge is a global, multi-generational commitment by some of the world's wealthiest individuals and couples to give more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes, either during their lifetimes or in their wills.
Sheikh Dr Mohammed Bin Musallam Bin Ham Al-Ameri, born in the city of Al Ain, UAE in 1972, is a businessman, philanthropist, author and former UAE Federal National Council member. He is the Deputy Secretary-General of the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), Deputy Chairman of the Bin Ham Group, President of the Foundation of Studies and Research, Former Member of the Federal National Council, Member of Al Ain Municipal Council, and the founder of (Aounak Ya Watan) volunteer team.
Dr Mohammed carries on the work of his father, Sheikh Musallem Bin Salim bin Ham Al Ameri, and his grandfather Sheikh Salim bin Ham who stood by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, during the formation of the UAE.
Dr Mohammad published two books, one titled, "United Arab Emirates - Wise Governance" (2012) and the other "The Shura in the UAE," published 2015, which is an analytical representation of the Emirati experience of commitment to Shura, as an approach to governance and also a way of life since ancient times. Dr. Sheikh Mohammed holds a master's degree from the Grand Canyon University (USA) and a PhD degree from the University of Kent (United Kingdom). He is the recipient of several awards including the Mohammad Bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence 2008 and 2011, Mahatma Gandhi Medallion Humanity Award and the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali Al Khalifa Award for Charity.
Other new signatories announced today are: Tegan and Brian Acton, Brian Armstrong, Stewart and Sandy Bainum, MacKenzie Bezos, Ben Delo, Jeremy and Hanne Grantham, David and Claudia Harding, Sonia and Paul Tudor Jones, Ryan D. "Jume" Jumonville, Erica and Jeff Lawson, Francine A. LeFrak and Rick Friedberg, Daoming Liu, John and Marcy McCall MacBain, Emily and Mitchell Rales, Chris and Crystal Sacca, Paul and Jennifer Sciarra, Nicolai and Katja Tangen and Robert and Jane Toll.
"We are thrilled to welcome this year's group of Giving Pledge signatories to the community, which has grown to more than 200 people in just nine years," said Warren Buffett.
"The generosity of this group is a reflection of the inspiration we take from the many millions of people who work quietly and effectively to create a better world for others, often at a great personal sacrifice."
Many of the new signatories to the Giving Pledge are already engaged in philanthropy, providing support to a range of causes including climate change, education, poverty alleviation, medical research, healthcare services, economic development, and social justice. These individuals and couples have come together from a wide range of fields - including finance, technology, healthcare, and real estate development - to commit the majority of their wealth to tackle some of society's most pressing problems.
Topics to be discussed at this year's annual gathering include how philanthropy can make a difference in areas such as education, climate, and clean energy, equity and access to health care, community development, and disaster relief.
Last year Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and president of Crescent Petroleum, BR Shetty, founder of NMC Health and UAE Exchange, and Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, founder of VPS Healthcare joined the pledge.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai