Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
As Guest of Honour at the G20 meetings in South Africa, the United Arab Emirates reaffirmed its expanding global leadership in development, innovation, and multilateral cooperation. The UAE’s recurring invitation to the G20 — now its sixth participation and fourth consecutive appearance — highlights the international community’s confidence in the nation’s development model and its growing influence in shaping solutions to global economic and humanitarian challenges.
In an interview with Aletihad, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), said the UAE’s announcement of the $1 billion “AI for Development” initiative was among the most prominent outcomes of this year’s summit. Implemented through Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) and the UAE’s international aid institutions, the initiative aims to deploy artificial intelligence in key sectors across Africa, including education, agriculture, health, infrastructure, and digital services.
This aligns with the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision to leverage advanced technologies to accelerate sustainable development globally — moving from dialogue to transformative action.
Central to this global role is the ADFD, which has become one of the world’s leading development partners, with cumulative financing reaching Dh216.5 billion across 107 countries. The Fund’s projects in renewable energy, water, infrastructure, health, and education continue to improve quality of life and stimulate long-term economic stability. With initiatives such as ADEX’s support for UAE companies in more than 40 markets, the UAE is deepening its impact as a global development partner — supporting both international growth and the competitiveness of national industries, in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 plan and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.
Following if full text of the interview:
Q: The UAE’s participation as Guest of Honour in the G20 meetings carries many indications regarding the country’s position in enhancing global economic development and supporting the needs of developing nations. What is the importance of the UAE’s continued participation in this major international gathering, and what are its dimensions and the UAE’s role in supporting global development goals?
A: The UAE’s continued participation in G20 summits reflects international recognition of the pivotal role the country plays in supporting the global development trajectory and enhancing multilateral cooperation. The invitation extended by the Republic of South Africa to the UAE to participate in the 2025 G20 meetings reaffirms this pioneering role, marking the country’s sixth participation in this international gathering and the fourth in a row — reflecting the advanced global standing the UAE has achieved and the international community’s confidence in its development vision and its ability to contribute to effective solutions for shared challenges.
This participation carries important strategic dimensions, as it allows our country to share its unique development experience and future-oriented vision on key issues such as development financing, sustainability, infrastructure, climate action, women empowerment, innovation, and artificial intelligence. It also contributes to strengthening international dialogue on ways to support global economic growth, and affirms the UAE’s commitment to the principle of partnership and international cooperation to achieve prosperity and stability for the world’s peoples.
The UAE’s announcement of the “AI for Development” initiative during the summit reflects the country’s ability to move from international dialogue to proposing practical and innovative solutions that address development challenges and support community needs, especially in the African continent.
Q: The UAE is one of the world’s leading donor countries of development assistance and a major contributor to supporting the needs of developing nations, alongside its important economic role. How does the UAE view the importance of supporting developing countries and achieving comprehensive global development?
A: The UAE views supporting developing countries as a firm humanitarian and strategic commitment, embodying the approach established by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan — may God rest his soul — based on standing by people in need and empowering communities with opportunities for sustainable development. The UAE has maintained its advanced position among the world’s top international development aid donors, rooted in its conviction that global prosperity is tied to the ability of developing countries to build strong economies, develop essential services, and improve quality of life for their people.
Through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the UAE has contributed to implementing strategic development projects in vital sectors including infrastructure, renewable energy, education, health, transport, water, and housing — enhancing economic and social development plans in partner countries. The cumulative impact of these projects has played a significant role in improving quality of life and achieving growth and stability in many communities around the world.
Q: In your view, what are the reasons behind selecting the UAE as Guest of Honour at this summit, especially regarding the country’s role in achieving global development?
A: Selecting the UAE as Guest of Honour reflects international recognition of the growing role our country plays in supporting sustainable development pathways regionally and globally. The UAE has succeeded, thanks to its ambitious vision and wise leadership, in building a pioneering development model based on international partnerships, a commitment to providing aid, and financing projects in sectors most linked to human life.
The country has also demonstrated an active presence in major global issues such as food security, climate action, energy, education, innovation, and artificial intelligence, making it a trusted partner to international institutions and developing nations alike.
For African countries in particular, the UAE has provided, since 1971, more than Dh152 billion in support for extensive development projects spanning construction, civil development, health, agriculture, energy, telecommunications, water, fisheries, environment, climate change, biodiversity, and infrastructure. This has solidified its position as an active contributor to building community capacities and enhancing economic stability across the continent.
Thus, the invitation extended to the UAE is not merely recognition of its historical role, but a confirmation of international confidence in it as a future partner in shaping innovative solutions to humanitarian and development challenges, and as a key supporter of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Q: The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is one of the most prominent UAE institutions contributing to this field and has provided large financing and assistance to many developing countries. What are the key indicators and figures regarding what the Fund has provided?
A: The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign aid policy and has played a pivotal role over the past decades in financing development projects with direct impact on people’s lives. By the end of 2024, the Fund’s cumulative financing reached about Dh216.5 billion, distributed as Dh157 billion in concessional loans, Dh57.6 billion in government grants, and Dh1.9 billion in direct contributions. These numbers reflect the UAE’s strong commitment to developing nations and highlight the Fund’s growing global leadership role.
The Fund’s projects have extended to 107 countries across the world and have covered strategic sectors directly linked to community welfare, such as renewable energy, water, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, health, education, housing, and technology. This broad reach has provided integrated development solutions that supported economic and social stability in partner countries.
In terms of investment, the Fund’s investment portfolio reached Dh12.2 billion across 22 countries, including 17 companies operating in diverse sectors that contribute to economic growth and sustainable job creation. These results demonstrate the Fund’s pioneering role in strengthening global development efforts and cementing the UAE’s position as a driving force for sustainable development.
Q: Can you share the most prominent new projects that will be announced or implemented this year in various countries and sectors? And what is the total cumulative financing from inception to date?
A: The UAE’s participation in the G20 Summit witnessed an important announcement: the implementation of the UAE’s “AI for Development” initiative in Africa, worth $1 billion, through Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) and the UAE Aid Agency. This reflects the inspiring vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in implementing impactful initiatives and projects that serve humanity worldwide, and fulfills what His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, announced during the G20 meeting in Johannesburg.
The initiative was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Martyrs’ Affairs and Chairman of the International Humanitarian Affairs Council. This reflects the development role of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in leading and implementing strategic initiatives that strengthen development cooperation and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global partner supporting communities most in need.
The initiative embodies the Fund’s role in providing innovative financing solutions through ADEX — the primary financial arm for implementing the project — via credit facilities dedicated to financing AI applications in education, agriculture, infrastructure, health, and digital services. This enhances African nations’ ability to benefit from modern technologies and develop their national economies. At the same time, grants provided through the UAE Aid Agency offer additional support to prepare the environment needed to implement the projects and ensure their sustainability.
The initiative aligns with the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and the UAE’s vision to leverage advanced technologies for sustainable development. It also enables the Fund to expand its global role by opening new markets for UAE companies specialising in digital and AI solutions and strengthening their presence in high-value projects across Africa.
Q: The meetings discuss various global challenges such as poverty, food security, climate, and other humanitarian issues. How does the UAE address these global challenges, and what is the role of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in this, especially given the large volume of aid and development financing it has provided?
A: The UAE adopts a comprehensive approach to global challenges, based on strengthening partnerships, providing high-quality aid, and investing in long-term sustainable solutions. This approach has been evident through the UAE’s support for international initiatives related to food security, climate action, clean energy, and social development, in addition to its active participation in global frameworks concerned with enhancing economic stability.
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development plays a central role in this path by financing projects that directly impact people’s lives, such as water projects, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, and education, as well as providing financing to the least-advantaged countries. The “AI for Development” initiative is a clear example of the UAE’s commitment to supporting innovative solutions capable of addressing poverty, improving agricultural efficiency, and strengthening food security in Africa.
This approach reflects the UAE’s historical commitment to supporting the African continent, as the country has provided, since 1971, more than Dh152 billion in development support across various sectors, enhancing its ability to offer effective solutions to poverty, food security, and climate challenges.
Q: The Fund clearly focuses on financing development projects with sustainable impact in various developing countries. What are the impacts of these projects on people’s lives, and what are the main sectors prioritised when implementing projects?
A: The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development places great emphasis on financing projects with high humanitarian and economic value, which leave a sustainable impact on the national economies of beneficiary countries. These projects have clearly improved the quality of life for millions of people, contributing to the expansion of renewable energy use and reduction of emissions, improving access to clean water, and developing transport networks that support the movement of people and goods. They have also contributed to improving the quality of health and education services. The effects extend further to enhancing food security systems and supporting the development and efficiency of infrastructure, which promotes stability and economic growth.
The Fund focuses its development programmes on vital sectors including renewable energy, water, agriculture, health, education, transport, housing, technology, and infrastructure — given these sectors’ essential role in achieving comprehensive development and building stable communities capable of continued growth.
Q: It is clear that the initiatives of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development — while contributing to sustainable global development — also have a positive economic impact on the UAE’s national economy. Thus, they achieve comprehensive economic support both nationally and globally. What are the key indicators and results achieved by the ADEX, and how has the UAE private sector become a partner in achieving global development?
A: The ADEX has become in recent years a key tool for enhancing the presence of UAE products and services in global markets, and for supporting the competitiveness of national companies in carrying out development projects abroad. By the end of 2024, ADEX had provided more than AED 4 billion in financing to support UAE exports in over 40 global markets.
The ADEX has enabled the UAE private sector to participate in strategic projects including renewable energy, advanced technology, water, and infrastructure, through flexible financing solutions that reduce risks and encourage national companies to expand globally.
The “AI for Development” initiative reinforces this role, as it allows UAE companies specialising in technical fields to implement high-value projects in African nations — opening new markets, expanding economic partnerships, and strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation and technology.
Thus, the UAE’s private sector has become a key partner in achieving global development, while also supporting national economic growth in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 plan and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.
