The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation has launched a five-year foreign aid strategy which will focus on women’s empowerment and protection, transport and urban infrastructure, and technical co-operation, said a report.

The plan was launched under the patronage of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, at a ceremony held at the Ministry in the presence of Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, reported state news agency Wam.

During the announcement event, Al Hashimy gave a presentation in which she highlighted the UAE’s foreign aid policy, its vision and elements, as well as the main goals of combating poverty and contributing towards sustainable development in recipient countries.

Al Hashimy said that the main goal of foreign aid offered by the UAE is to reduce poverty and improve quality of life in underprivileged communities, promote relations between the UAE and other states.

She also highlighted the importance of encouraging creation of economic relations with developing countries based on mutual interests.

Al Hashimy noted that humanitarian aid accounts for a significant part of the UAE’s total foreign aid where the country responds to major crises through its charities and humanitarian agencies, as well as international organisations.

She further revealed that the foreign aid plan is an important occasion and comes as the culmination of years of serious work in which several government departments, the private sector and the civil society were involved, added the report.