Al Qasimi receives US house of representatives delegation

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, has met with a visiting bi-partisan Congressional delegation from the US House of Representatives at the Ministry Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed the strengthening of joint UAE - USA cooperation in humanitarian and development work, and women's empowerment. During the meeting, Sheikha Lubna said that the UAE, under its wise leadership, places a great degree of importance on supporting international humanitarian efforts and offering assistance to those affected by all forms of humanitarian crisis and on improving living conditions in poorer countries. She drew attention to the UAE's attainment of 16th place, internationally, in the proportion of the foreign assistance it provides in relation to its Gross National Income (GNI), according to an official report issued last month by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Development Assistance Commission (DAC). Sheikha Lubna stated that the UAE is committed to global disease eradication, pointing out that the country has recently hosted the Global Vaccine Summit that saw His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, pledge USD 120 million (AED 440 million) in support of global efforts to eradicate polio by the year 2018. She also briefed the visiting delegation on the UAE's efforts to empower women and ensure that they are part of the country's development process, stating that ever since the creation of the Federation, the UAE leadership has constantly promoted the role of UAE women in society, and that this has contributed towards increasing the significance of the part women play in the nation's development whilst still preserving their cultural identity. She also pointed out that the UAE is constantly supporting the status of women around the world. The two sides also discussed the efforts that are being exerted by both countries to achieve stability in Afghanistan and provide assistance to its people. Sheikha Lubna briefed the US delegation on the UAE's wide ranging relief efforts in Afghanistan that include the UAE Armed Forces' de-mining operations, and the assistance offered by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and other UAE organizations in areas such as assisting the displaced, providing relief supplies, education, and renewable energy. She also briefed the Congresswomen on the substantial support offered by the UAE to Afghani women to enable them to play a more effective role in their societies, pointing out that the UAE has conducted various educational programs for Afghani women and established a number of industrial projects that provide employment opportunities enabling them to provide for themselves and their families. The visiting Congresswomen expressed their admiration of the achievements of UAE women and the advanced status that they enjoy as effective partners in the development of the Emirati society while still preserving their culture and heritage, pointing out that the UAE woman is an inspiration to many women in the Middle East and other parts of the world. The US Congressional delegation included Representatives Martha Roby (Alabama), Susan Davis (California), Nicola Tsongas (Massachusetts), Kristi Noem (South Dakota), Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (Washington).