A UAE delegation has visited <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/04/26/volodymyr-zelenskyy-holds-long-and-meaningful-phone-call-with-chinese-president/" target="_blank">President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a> in Ukraine on an official trip. Led by <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/climate/environment/2023/03/23/collective-action-needed-to-address-global-water-scarcity-says-al-mheiri/" target="_blank">Mariam Al Mheiri</a>, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, the officials conveyed the greetings of President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and other UAE leaders, reported Wam. Mr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the UAE for its support during the country's crisis, highlighting Sheikh Mohamed's commitment to maintaining stability in the region. The meeting, held in Kyiv, also included discussions about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine in the wake of the conflict. Ms Al Mheiri also met <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/2023/01/17/ukraines-olena-zelenska-makes-plea-to-davos-to-avert-starvation-crisis/" target="_blank">Olena Zelenska</a>, Ukraine's first lady. They talked about the UAE’s humanitarian support for children affected by the Ukrainian crisis. The two also discussed new projects to rebuild and renovate damaged hospitals and schools, and developments related to the “family type orphanages” project, which the UAE supported by <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2023/03/07/president-sheikh-mohamed-meets-ukraines-first-lady/" target="_blank">allocating $4 million to construct ten buildings</a> that can accommodate about 100 children. Ms Zelenska conveyed her gratitude to the Emirates for the relief aid being sent to support Ukrainian people still in the country and those forced to flee. Ms Al Mheiri said the UAE remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine, as shown through the continued donation of supplies, including 2,500 computers to assist pupils with remote learning during the conflict. As part of a collaboration with the Ukrainian embassy in the UAE, Ms Al Mheiri presented Ms Zelenska with a collection of letters sent by Ukrainian children living in the UAE to their friends in Ukraine in a gesture representing hope. Ms Al Mheiri later held talks with Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, as well as Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy. During the meeting, Mr Shmyhal invited the UAE to attend the Ukrainian Recovery Conference in London from June 21 to June 22, to discuss joint efforts to rebuild his country's infrastructure. He said Ukraine was looking forward to taking part in the Cop28 climate summit, to be held at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, and underlined his country's confidence in the UAE's hosting of the crucial global gathering. Ms Al Mheiri and Ms Svyrydenko explored ways to forge closer links with the European nation across the fields of energy, infrastructure, agriculture and health care. They reviewed efforts to boost trade exchange and investment and support continuing negotiations to form a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the countries. The meeting included the signing of an agreement between Contango, a partner of <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2022/12/16/abu-dhabi-adds-waste-management-company-tadweer-to-adqs-energy-and-utilities-portfolio/">Abu Dhabi investment and holding company ADQ</a>, and the Ukrainian State Property Fund. Ms Al Mheiri was taken on a tour of the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights in Kyiv, where she was briefed on its initiatives intended to protect children from abuse and exploitation, and provide them with key education and healthcare services. The UAE team were joined on the visit by Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian parliament commissioner for human rights. The Emirates is continuing its humanitarian drive to support and provide relief to people affected by the crisis in Ukraine. In October, Sheikh Mohamed directed the provision of $100 million to support Ukrainian civilians. The UAE also sent three aircraft carrying emergency supplies, including 2,520 power generators, an additional 11 aircraft carrying supplies, 540 tonnes of medical and food supplies and 94 tonnes of non-food items. It also provided six ambulances to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Moldova and Bulgaria.
