Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, MICAD, and Head of the UAE Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid, has stressed the UAE’s keenness to build and strengthen partnerships with international institutions concerned with development and humanitarian work in line with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership.

Sheikha Lubna made her remarks at a meeting with Stephen O'Brien, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and his accompanying delegation. She reviewed UAE’s efforts and contributions in the areas of developmental work, emphasising that building partnerships and international cooperation have contributed to achieving positive implications which has affected the march of humanitarian and development work.

The Minister commended the United Nations in responding to humanitarian crises and supporting international efforts in this regard, which constitutes an umbrella for those affected by conflicts and natural disasters and to support humanitarian response of various kinds.

Sheikha Lubna confirmed that the UAE is looking forward to deepening the partnership channels with the committees and commissions of the United Nations in relevant to supporting international development and support humanitarian relief and international efforts in all areas.

For his part, the UN official hailed UAE's leading and historical role in providing support and humanitarian aid for many of the communities and peoples of the world and towards humanitarian crisis in Syria and Yemen as being the largest donour of humanitarian aid to the current Yemeni crisis according to the UN data.

The meeting was attended by Hazza Al Qahtani, Under-Secretary of MICAD, Sultan Al Shamsi, Under-Secretary Assistant for International Development, and Najla Al Kaabi, Under-Secretary Assistant for International Cooperation.