The UAE participated in the 17th session of the Emergency Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation which convened on Sunday, in Islamabad, to discuss the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan at the invitation of Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the meeting, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, who led the UAE delegation to the meeting which was opened by the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, thanked the Republic of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality. He also thanked Saudi Arabia (OIC Summit Chair) for its sincere efforts in addressing the issues and concerns of the Islamic world.
The minister reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to stand by the Afghan people, noting that the UAE is following up the situation in Afghanistan and continuing its support for the international efforts aimed at delivering a more sustainable future for the Afghan people.
He emphasised the necessity of achieving stability and security in the country and the rights of the Afghan people to enjoy prosperity and peace. He also noted the importance of the international community placing the Afghan file as its top priority.
"The UAE has been consistently standing by and assisting Afghanistan. And as part of its firm commitment to the people of Afghanistan, the UAE provided AED6.2 bn ($1.7 bn) in assistance over the past years, which was primarily in the form of providing food, along with health, water and sanitation facilities, housing, and education services while laying special focus on services dedicated to women and children," the minister said.
He added that the UAE has spared no effort in supporting the Afghan people, and established an airlift to transport more than 485 tonnes of medical and food relief supplies in addition to pledging the implementation of humanitarian projects worth around $50 million. This included providing more aid through the country's humanitarian organisations along with displaying full collaboration with the OIC- affiliated organistions in order to facilitate the provision of aid to the most needed segments of Afghan society.
Al Sayegh affirmed the necessity of the Islamic Development Bank assuming its humanitarian role in directing some of its relief, health, education and humanitarian projects to the Afghan people.
He called on global humanitarian organisations to direct part of its foreign aid to the Afghan people and urged the international community to show solidarity with the Afghan people in their quest for peace, unity, stability, sovereignty and prosperity.
Attending the meeting was the UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi.
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