Page 752 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

2/25/25, 3:28 PM WGS: Office of Developmental Affairs stresses importance of global cooperation in humanitarian work | Emirates News Agency
Six sessions, comprising three panel discussions and three round tables, featured prominent speakers including
government ministers, CEOs, and global experts representing international agencies worldwide. These speakers

highlighted effective global initiatives and development programmes that have positively impacted millions of lives.
The speakers argued that such initiatives aim to build a better future and bring about significant transformations in

communities, education, healthcare and economies, resulting in sustained growth, prosperity and stability. The
sessions also stressed the importance of innovating global models to shape a better future that empowers the people,
drives progress across all aspects of life, and establishes principles of international cooperation.

Speakers stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to societal challenges, advocating for strengthened
international development initiatives that leverage the combined capacities of government agencies, private institutions,
and international organisations across key humanitarian and developmental areas.

In the "Human-centric Futures: Building Experts for the New Economy" session, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of
Economy, emphasised the nation's belief in its people as its true wealth. “The UAE has prioritised enhancing citizen
capabilities and skills, encouraging their contributions across all sectors, particularly the economy,” Al Marri stated.

“This aligns with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to make the UAE the most prosperous nation within a
decade.”

He continued, “The UAE National Experts Program is a pioneering global model that enriches vital areas of both
national priorities and global trends. The programme seeks to optimise investment in the human capital as a key
source of wealth that contributes positively to development. It also focuses on innovatively developing the necessary

skills of its participants. Flexible and adaptable, the programme supports creating innovative solutions to navigating
potential future challenges.”
In the “Cooperative Pathways to Sustainable Development” session, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State

for International Cooperation, explained that the world's focus on sustainable development involves meeting present
needs while protecting future generations. This requires building robust systems and formulating international policies
that balance economic growth, social integration, and environmental preservation.

She noted the 17th Sustainable Development Goal’s focus on the inevitability of global partnership between
governments, the private sector and civil society institutions, necessitating accelerated international cooperation in

developmental fields more than ever before.
Badr Jafar, Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, UAE, emphasised during his remarks at a session titled
“Redefining Philanthropy: New Models for Global Impact”, that philanthropy today must go beyond traditional charity.

He highlighted the importance of investing in long-term, sustainable change by mobilising not only financial capital but
also expertise, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
He underscored that with an estimated US$2 trillion deployed annually in philanthropic capital and the largest

intergenerational wealth transfer in history underway, there is an unprecedented opportunity to redefine philanthropy’s
role in shaping global development.
The UAE, uniquely positioned, has emerged as a global hub for philanthropic and humanitarian action. Through its

ability to convene diverse stakeholders, foster collaboration, and support a thriving ecosystem for philanthropy, the
UAE is playing a vital role in amplifying impact and driving systemic progress for future generations.’

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