Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, yesterday met with the President of the 69th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Sam Kutesa, at his office in New York.

During the meeting, both sides discussed priorities of the 69th session, underscoring the need to formulate a transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda, accompanied by adequate means for its implementation.

They also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the UAE and the preparation for Financing for Development Conference due to take place in Addis Ababa in July.

Earlier in the day, the Minister met with representatives of Pacific Small Islands Developing States, PSIDs. During the meeting, the Minister highlighted means of strengthening bilateral cooperation and welcomed the opening of the PSIDs trade office in Dubai. The Minister seized the opportunity to follow up with the PSIDs representatives on the UAE's contribution of 1.3 million USD in relief aid following Tropical Cyclone Pam which battered the South Pacific two months ago. PSIDs member states thanked the UAE government and its people for their swift response and assistance. They further briefed the Minister on the substantial benefits of the UAE-sponsored energy projects which were carried out in partnership with Masdar.

In her one-day visit, Al Hashimy also met with the UN permanent representatives of Caribbean Community countries, CARICOM, where she discussed the latest preparations of opening a CARICOM trade office for the group in Dubai, and areas of cooperation in the renewable energy sector. She also signalled a partnership project that would fund energy projects within the region.

CARICOM countries expressed their appreciation for the UAE in being an excellent partner for the region, and invited the UAE to assume observer status at CARICOM. They noted the importance of innovation in government and partnerships, commending the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and expressed their admiration of the UAE's focus on it.

Al Hashimy was also welcomed by the representatives of the African Union to the UN where she explored means of enhancing coordination on various sectors including agriculture, energy, and region-region cooperation on a number of files.
Source: WAM