ABU DHABI // The UAE’s multibillion dirham humanitarian relief schemes are to be coordinated by a new regulatory body headed by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the Minister of Development and International Cooperation.
The country spends more of its gross national income on foreign aid than any country in the world and must continue to do so, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said on Monday after a meeting of the Cabinet.
The new committee “will enhance our role as the global aid capital, and will work on consolidating the UAE as the capital of global humanitarian work”, Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.
At the Cabinet meeting, he told ministers the UAE was a “humanitarian state” and the Government was intent on providing aid to anyone who needed it. In 2012 the UAE gave nearly Dh6 billion in grants and loans to development, humanitarian and charitable programmes in 137 countries and territories, and committed a further Dh5.6bn to development projects.
The Cabinet also established on Monday a new committee for higher education and scientific research, and an education committee, which will examine ways to develop patriotism as part of the school curriculum.
The education committee will be headed by Jamal bin Huwaireb, the cultural adviser to the Government of Dubai.
Ministers also approved the preparation of a federal law for the care of the elderly. It will focus on safeguarding rights and the provision of care.
Finally, the Cabinet approved an agreement with The Netherlands on the transfer of technology, and agreements with Greece on taxation. The deals will “encourage investment and enhance economic cooperation”, Sheikh Mohammed said.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae