UAE humanitarian work a 'model to be emulated'

The Emirates’ Covid response was praised by IPU president in a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, receives Duarte Pacheco, president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Wam

The UAE’s humanitarian record and its Covid response have been praised during a meeting between Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Duarte Pacheco, the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a Geneva-based global organisation of national parliaments.

Sheikh Mohammed received Mr Pacheco on Saturday to discuss global and regional crises, of which none is more pressing than the pandemic.

Mr Pacheco commended the UAE’s humanitarian track record, describing it as a model to be emulated, and noted the financial and logistical support it offers other countries during natural disasters.

The IPU president also commended the Emirates’ pandemic management, and its keenness to ensure rapid, free vaccination among its population.

Sheikh Mohammed used the meeting to consider the prospects of promoting tolerance, acceptance and peaceful coexistence between people of all cultures, races and beliefs around the globe.

To this end, the role of councils and national parliaments, 76 of which are IPU members, in bridging the distances between nations was discussed.

Mr Pacheco also thanked the UAE’s leadership, government and people for the support provided to him during his IPU presidency campaign, which he won in November.

Attending the meeting were Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation; Mohammed Al Shaibani, director general of The Dubai Ruler’s Court; Dr Abdullah Al Nuaimi and Marwan Al Muhairi, members of the Federal National Council; and Dubai’s Director of Protocol and Hospitality, Khalifa Suleiman.