H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi receives French Minister of Development and UN Women representative

at the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development

Lubna Al Qasimi: UAE-France partnership supports international development

Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, President of Zayed University, said that the foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates and its openness to all countries under the guidance of its wise leadership represented by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State; HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,  has contributed to supporting global efforts to promote development in all developing countries and poor communities, as well as the ability of active states and humanitarian and relief organizations to effectively respond to all humanitarian crises and disasters.

This approach is in line with the UAE's efforts toward enhancing its positive participation in finding solutions for current challenges that threaten the future of humanity, including those related to climate change and the spread of infectious and dangerous diseases.

This came during Her Excellency's meeting with Annick Girardin, French Minister of State for Development, and the accompanying delegation at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed ways to strengthen the partnership between the UAE and France in all areas of humanitarian action and international development.

HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi said that the strong and historical relations between the two countries in all fields are consistent with the partnership and convergence on supporting and improving international development efforts and strengthening the capacity of humanitarian institutions in the two countries, in order to efficiently respond to various humanitarian crises  in light of the deterioration and complexity of many humanitarian crises, particularly the Syrian crisis.

H.E.  discussed UAE efforts  to respond to these crises through the provision of various support channels, humanitarian results achieved concerning the crisis in Yemen, and the significant improvements to UAE humanitarian aid under the directives of the state's wise leadership.

The UAE has ranked first as the world's largest donor to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where its efforts have included the provision of various types of assistance, from which more than 1.8 million Yemeni people have benefited. In 2015, the UAE granted aid worth about AED 1.64 billion, the equivalent of USD $447 million. The state's efforts included the rehabilitation of infrastructure and the provision of humanitarian relief in the various governorates of Yemen.

They also discussed the positive impact resulting from the signing by world countries of the global climate agreement last December in the French capital of Paris, in the presence of world leaders, while focusing on forthcoming efforts to support the capacities and direction of countries towards adopting clean energy practices and the importance of stepping up international efforts to support renewable energy projects, particularly in developing countries.

For her part, Girardin praised the honorable efforts made by the UAE at the level of international development, its support for developing countries and poor communities, and its emergency response to various humanitarian crises. She commended the progress achieved by both countries in all areas and their bilateral relations, and the UAE's adoption of ambitious plans to promote economic diversification and focus on renewable energy projects.

HE also met with Yannick Glemarec, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy and Programme of UN-Women. The meeting discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation between the UAE and UN Women, the main achievements made by Emirati women in various development forums and areas, and the UAE's success in reinforcing women empowerment strategies and improving their contributions, in addition to the need to exchange visits and consult on women's global issues.

The two meetings were attended by HE Najla Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation, and Dr Riad Al Muhaidib Zayed University Manager.

About MICAD:

MICAD was established on 12 March 2013 following a Cabinet decision endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid al Qasimi was appointed as Minister. The Ministry is based in Abu Dhabi with a branch office in Dubai.  For further information, please visit: www.micad.gov.ae