Abu Dhabi - WAM
Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Co-operation, today received Charles H. Rivkin, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs and his accompanying delegation, as well as Michael H. Corbin, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E.. Sheikha Lubna and the Assistant Secretary discussed ways to strengthen partnership relations and bolster channels of cooperation between the U.A.E. and the United States. During the meeting, which was held at the headquarters of Ministry, the two parties also discussed and exchanged views on various issues of international development and ways to support the efforts of the international community in humanitarian responses. Sheikha Lubna said that the U.A.E., which occupies top position as the most generous country in the world when compared to total income, is looking to strongly continue the march of its achievements by enhancing the process of cooperation and partnership with other active donor countries in the world. Sheikha Lubna stressed that the U.A.E. seeks to support efforts for international development and meet the developmental and humanitarian issues that afflict millions of people in developing countries and poor communities, and pursue the adoption of sustainable strategies to resolve them. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State commended the efforts of the U.A.E. in enhancing its significant contribution to supporting international development in conjunction with its success in achieving comprehensive development at a local level, which aided its transition to a leading model at regional and global level. He presented congratulations to the U.A.E.'s leadership and its people on the historic achievement and the giant leap made by the U.A.E. in terms of granting foreign aid compared to the proportion of GDP. The meeting also covered a number of issues of international development and humanitarian response to those affected by disasters in various parts of the world and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The meeting was attended by a number of senior officials.