UAE Efforts

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.   ​