The UAE has taken a leading role in its efforts to stabilize Somalia and to coordinate post-conflict reconstruction. To this end, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has spearheaded the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between the UAE and Somalia and has overseen the opening of the UAE Embassy in Mogadishu in 2013. Between 2011 and 2015, the UAE provided over USD 135 million in humanitarian and development assistance to the Somali government, by supporting, amongst others, infrastructure, capacity building and the development of political institutions. After the reopening of the Embassy, the UAE has provided different developmental projects like hospitals, clinics, schools, and water wells for all the Somalian Regions. At the international level, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation oversees the UAE’s participation in the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and has steered the UAE’s contribution to the Somalia Stability Fund. The UAE also assists the Somali government in its struggle against the extremist forces of Al-Shabaab by equipping and training the Somali presidential guard and national army. The UAE has been a staunch supporter of international efforts to counter piracy around the Horn of Africa. To this end, the UAE has hosted major counter-piracy conferences in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The UAE also funds a training program for the Puntland Maritime Police, thereby contributing to the success of the international community in reducing piracy around the Horn of Africa.
The UAE continues to support the stability and development of Yemen, through participating in coalition forces and executing humanitarian operations in the interest of both the security and prosperity of the Yemeni people and that of the wider region. The UAE has played a strong role in developing and supporting the implementation of the plan laid out in the GCC initiative, UNSCR 2216 and assisting the legitimate government. Additionally, the UAE has played a prominent role in the “Friends of Yemen” meetings. Between 2011 and 2016, the UAE provided over than USD 1.9 billion in assistance to Yemen. As part of it, the UAE provided over than USD 1.65 for Yemen Crisis between 2015 and 2016. The UAE’s aim is not only to help Yemen overcome its current challenges, but also to develop long-term plans, projects, and initiatives that will be able to support Yemen in becoming a stable, secure and more prosperous country.
The UAE has been playing an active role appealing for a peaceful resolution to end the ongoing Syrian conflict, and a strong advocate for humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and regional countries affected by the conflict. The United Arab Emirates has so far committed more than USD 1.2 billion in support for the Syrian people. Since March 2011, the UAE Government has welcomed more than 100,000 Syrian nationals from all segments of the Syrian society.
The UAE has long-standing bonds with Kosovo and its people, and wish its people prosperity and progress. The UAE was one of the first countries to call for an international intervention on behalf of the people of Kosovo in 1998. The UAE recognizes Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. This position is in accordance with its firm support for the principle of the legitimate right of peoples to self-determination and International resolutions. The UAE urges all governments to recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. The UAE believes that widespread recognition of Kosovo should progress toward the goal of Kosovo eventually becoming a fully-fledged member of the international community and a full member of its international bodies, including the United Nations.
The UAE is playing an active and leading role in coordinating its engagement with Afghanistan. The UAE participates in all meetings of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan and Pakistan (ICG), the main forum for international coordination on this issue. The UAE is also playing an active role in the coordination of UAE aid to Afghanistan, which aims to assist the economic and human development of the Afghan people. Under the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE’s Afghanistan Humanitarian and Development Committee was established in 2011 in order to better coordinate aid efforts and to follow up on humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan. The Committee has been successful in solving many of the problems facing UAE aid organizations on the ground. This enabled progress on many of the projects financed by the UAE in Afghanistan. Over the past few years, the UAE has provided US 621 million worth of assistance reflected in projects such as:
• Mine action program in Kandahar province.
• 100 childhood schools and other 70 public schools.
• Medical clinics, providing medical services
• A major hospital, in capacity of 7,000 patients.
• 4000 housing units in Kabul.
• Zayed University, which educates 6,400 students every year. The UAE also contributed substantially to security in Afghanistan. In addition to the substantial number of UAE troops participated in international stabilization efforts in Afghanistan since 2005, the UAE has trained some 2,000 Afghan army officers and air force pilots in the UAE and assisted in the training of the Afghan National Police. The UAE’s effort does not stand on its own. Many development projects are undertaken with valued partners in the international community.
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