MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)

The AVPN Global Conference 2024 commenced in Abu Dhabi with a spotlight on the UAE's enduring legacy of philanthropy and humanitarianism.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, the event gathers over 1,500 delegates including investors, philanthropists, policymakers, and researchers.

Themed "One Asia, One Future," the conference, running until April 25, aims to address pressing social and environmental issues, with a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation across Asia. 

In an interview with Aletihad, Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs, underscored the UAE's pivotal role in promoting regional cooperation and addressing humanitarian challenges.

The UAE's total international aid surpasses the 0.7% of GNI, the UN recommendation for donor countries, according to Al Shamsi. 

He noted that the UAE's commitment to humanitarian work is deeply rooted in the vision of its Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), a foreign aid agency, was established by the government of Abu Dhabi in 1971, the same year the seven emirates of the UAE declared their union, said Al Shamsi. 

He added that "the ninth principle of the Principles of the 50, which act as guidelines for all UAE's institutions, refers to foreign humanitarian aid as an essential part of the UAE's own vision and its moral duty towards the less fortunate". 

Speaking with Aletihad on the sidelines of the AVPN conference, Simon Bland, CEO of the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), also emphasised the UAE's pioneering role in philanthropy. 

GLIDE, a collaborative effort between President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bill Gates, formally launched in 2019 with the aim of eradicating preventable infectious diseases. 

Notably, during the opening day of the AVPN conference, Reaching the Last Mile, a portfolio of global health programmes funded by the philanthropy of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Presidential Court reaffirmed their support for GLIDE with a $15 million reinvestment, ensuring the institute's continued operations, according to Bland. 

Looking ahead, the CEO noted that GLIDE remains committed to advancing knowledge and accelerating progress in disease eradication efforts, with an aim to uphold and expand upon the UAE's philanthropic legacy. 

In an interview with Aletihad on Tuesday, Roshini Prakash, Chief Knowledge Officer at AVPN, praised the UAE's role in women's empowerment, citing the nation's progress in education, employment, and economic opportunities for women. 

"The UAE's hosting of the AVPN Global Conference reflects its leadership in philanthropy and humanitarian efforts, setting the stage for meaningful dialogue and impactful initiatives to address global challenges," she noted.

According to Prakash, the AVPN conference serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration, with a thematic focus on climate solutions, healthcare resilience, women's economic empowerment, youth empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and tech for good.