UN lauds UAE's relief aid at time of disasters

New York, Sept 23, 2012 (WAM) - United Nations Special Advisor and Assistant Secretary-General for Civilian Capacities, Sarah Cliffe, has appreciated substantial contributions the humanitarian and charitable organisations in the UAE are offering to alleviate suffering of underprivileged population at times of regional and international disasters. Cliffe said during a meeting with visiting UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organisations Dr. Saeed Al Shamsi, on the fringe of the 67th regular session of the UN General Assembly, that the UN was looking forward for greater partnerships with the UAE in exchange of expertise and capacity building. For his part, Al Shamsi said the UAE humanitarian role at the international scene sprang out of its leadership's political will, which had earned a prominent place in international humanitarian works thanks to the guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Figures, he added, showed that UAE foreign assistance reached more than 1% of the gross domestic product, which exceeds the minimum rate of 0.7% the UN has set for advanced nations to provide aid to developing countries. He stressed that countries and regional and international organisations needed to put on more concerted efforts in area of capacity building in order to deliver the Millennium Development Goals – Emirates News Agency, WAM