His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), today extended his congratulations to the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for the UAE's retaining the title of the 'Top World Aid Donor' in the field of official development assistance for the fifth year in a row.

The endorsement, as reported by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), recognises the total contribution of AED19.32 billion in development aid provided by the nation in 2017 to 147 countries around the globe. The UAE spent 1.31 per cent of its gross national income on foreign developmental aid - almost twice the global target of 0.7 per cent set by the United Nations.

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, said: "The founding father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was and still remains, an exemplary role model of humanitarianism and generosity. He instilled the culture of giving among the people of the UAE. At ADFD, we follow his noble legacy and efforts based on a vision to help communities across developing nations and the wider world achieve progress and prosperity."

His Excellency added: "Under the counsel of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development's Board of Directors, the Fund has executed thousands of development projects and programmes worldwide over the past 46 years. ADFD's development projects have spanned 88 developing countries and are valued at AED80 billion."

Explaining ADFD's efforts, His Excellency Al Suwaidi noted: "The Fund's support for socio-economic development in developing countries over the past four-and-a-half decades, especially in the last five years, has contributed significantly to the UAE's retaining the prestigious title of top world aid donor five years on.

"ADFD's development funding has resulted in the implementation of infrastructure projects in vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture, industry, housing and renewable energy. Not only have these projects helped the international community in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but they have also addressed the most difficult development challenges, especially the alleviation of global poverty."

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