Lubna Al Qasimi says UAE is steadfast supporter of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

ABU DHABI, 21st January, 2016 (WAM) -- Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, Head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid, has said that the UAE is a steadfast supporter of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September last year. "These goals will be achieved under the direction of the wise leadership of UAE, represented by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; entrenched the UAE position as a leader in international development, in particular through supporting international community’s growing efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals according to this significant agreement that world leaders adopted last year," she said during her meeting with Mogens Lykketoft, president of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and his delegation at the Ministry’s offices in Abu Dhabi. She said that this agreement emphasises mutual responsibilities to end poverty, hunger and using best practices to achieve sustainable development, despite the challenges and obstacles facing less developed countries and impoverished communities. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi also confirmed that the contributions submitted by humanitarian institutions and UAE donors, through comprehensive plans and programmes, effects strongly the achieving process goals which aims to improve livelihoods to real outcome in several regions and countries all over the world. "The UAE’s efforts and response to the current humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where, in 2015, the country presented aid worth approximately Dh 1.64 billion (US $ 447 million), and that the state's efforts focused on the rehabilitation of infrastructure and the provision humanitarian relief in the Yemeni governorates of Aden, Taiz, Lahj, Dalea, Shabwa and Abyan and Hadramaut and Mahara and Marib, in addition to the island of Socotra. "The UAE is focused on rebuilding the country’s main airport, the port of Aden, electrical stations, along with eleven hospitals, and a medical centre. The UAE is maintaining and rebuilding 154 schools, and has delivered 123 schools to date to the Yemeni government. Along with other development projects and the continued provision of food aid, which benefited more than 1.8 million Yemeni people," she added. The meeting included discussions on potential areas of enhanced mutual cooperation and partnership between the UAE and the UN, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This aims to uplift the efficiency and outcome of development and aid programmes, and to create more ways to achieve this, such as involving all government and private organisations in the concerned countries, to mobilise more resources. Sheikha Lubna said that the UAE gives great attention and prioritises refugee issues around the world. "Refugee issues demands strengthened effort with all involved international bodies that are related to humanitarian relief to assist those affected with conflicts and natural disasters," she said. She also reviewed means of collaboration between the UAE and the UN’s humanitarian and developmental bodies, by which humanitarian aid can be supplied. "Mutual agreements have been conducted to deliver aid to Syrian refugees inside and outside Syria, in addition in Yemen. The UAE also offers various aid packages to Palestinian refugees across multiple agreements with the UN to rescue and employ Palestinian refugees to the UNRWA," she said. Mogens Lykketoft praised the effective role of the UAE in supporting the SDGs, as well as its leadership in the regional efforts during discussions related to setting those goals. He also praised the UAE’s leading position in the international development scene, given its leading foreign aid internationally compared to its national income during 2013 and 2014. Lykketoft also expressed the UN’s appreciation for the UAE’s efforts in responding to different humanitarian issues and crises, calling for further communication between both parties. The meeting was attended by Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Deputy Minister, and Najila Al Kaabi, assistant deputy for International Cooperation. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395290552752.html