Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) and Head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid said that despite the success achieved at Millennium Development Goals, but the current preliminary indications aimed to determine strategy of post-2015, undoubtedly confirms that the challenges are still found in the field of safeguarding basic human rights such as health, education, food, security and water issues.

This came during Sheikha Lubna's speech at the in augural session of Tidewater Meeting in Netherlands which concluded yesterday in Amsterdam. Sheikha Lubna highlighted the UAE's foreign contributions to support international development issues.

Sheikha Lubna said, " As we reach 2015 , as a target for achieving Millennium Development Goals, there are some risks and changes which threaten the future of international developments such extremism which increases wars and waste country's assets and potentials of countries as in Yemen, Syria and Somalia.

Sheikha Lubna also emphasised that the UAE could accomplish notable successes at the foreign aid field, especially in the previous two years (2013-2014), as the country could provide the greatest amount of assistance more than any other countries across the world as a share of its national income.

She added that the UAE has been highly recognised as a result of these achievements which represent a real translation to the visions of the UAE leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 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.

Sheikha Lubna reviewed policies and philosophy of the UAE foreign aid, stressing that foreign aid is a core part of the UAE's history and identity. She added that the UAE has provided aid to those in need since the year of its foundation in 1971.

She reiterated that through the country's aid, the UAE aims to improve the lives of less fortunate and limited resources communities. The aid also aims to promote peace, stability and security in the region as well as enhancing sustainable development.

Abdullah Al Naqbi - UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Sultan Al Shamsi. Assistant Undersecretary for International Development, Ministry of International Cooperation and Development attended the meetings.
Source: WAM