​Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State and Chairperson of the Higher Committee of the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, stressed the importance of the role played by global partnerships as a key driver in the work of local and international bodies and organizations, with the aim of accelerating international efforts to achieve sustainable development goals around the world. Her Excellency pointed to the keenness of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Nation", Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Honorary President of the Red Crescent Authority, President of the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, to support refugee issues, especially women, explaining that Her Highness Sheikha Fatima pays great attention to supporting women’s development efforts and empowering them to be a major and effective partner in achieving opportunities and achievements in general, especially those efforts directed to refugee women, and that Her Highness Since the establishment of the Fund, it has launched many projects and programs aimed at developing the capacities of refugee women and enhancing their skills in many developmental fields in order to secure a decent life for them. This came in the context of His Excellency Al Shamsi’s comment on the participation of the Crescent Authority team The UAE Red is part of the UAE delegation participating in the activities of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development of the United Nations held in New York, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and concludes its work today. The Emirates Red Crescent Authority participated in many events accompanying the forum, including the session of Her Excellency Amina Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and a number of representatives of participating countries and organizations, as well as a lecture at the headquarters of New York University in the United States, which was attended by a group of graduate students from New York University from the School of Professional Studies, the Global Affairs and Global Security Program, the Conflict and Cybersecurity Program, and students from business majors and others. H.E. Abdul Allah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Knowledge Exchange and Competitiveness, Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, said: "The UAE plays a pivotal role in supporting global humanitarian issues, making it a role model and a shining mark in development work. Many have established the UAE’s lofty values worldwide, namely peace, development and empowerment for all segments of society, especially women, and provided them with solutions with a quick return and impact that benefit their contribution to creating a future for themselves and their society." A paradigm shift During his participation in the forum, Hamoud Abdullah Al Junaibi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Local Affairs Sector of the Authority and Vice President of the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, reviewed the most prominent achievements of the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, which come as part of international efforts to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals.

He said: "Since its launch at the generous initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in 2000, the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, through the Emirates Red Crescent and in cooperation with the UNHCR, has implemented many development projects that have made a qualitative leap in the lives of many of the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children, and contributed to improving the level of services provided to those affected in conflict areas." He stressed the keenness of the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women and the Emirates Red Crescent Authority to intensify and continue their efforts. With the aim of maximizing the impact of their initiatives International Goals to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. During its participations, the Red Crescent delegation spoke about the signing of two new agreements by the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the first to renew the partnership between the two sides for a period of three years to support refugee women, and the second to implement a project worth one million US dollars to provide sustainable shelter for refugees and internally displaced persons in the Republics of Burkina Faso and Chad, benefiting about 871 refugee and displaced families. The delegation also reviewed the project to strengthen the capacity of refugees in Uganda, funded by the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which benefited more than 45,000 people, 60 per cent of whom were women in the field of agriculture and livestock. High-Level Forum The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the main platform of the United Nations on sustainable development issues and, since its inception in 2012, has played a pivotal role in following up and reviewing what has been implemented at the country level in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This session of the Forum is held Under the theme "Promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Effectively Implementing Sustainable, Resilient and Innovative Solutions". Throughout its 8-17 July 2024 edition, delegates participating in this year’s edition of the Forum will work on in-depth revisions of five of the Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 1 to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 2 to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, Goal 13 to support climate action and call for urgent action to combat climate change and its repercussions, and Goal 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies to achieve development. Goal 17, which focuses on global partnerships to promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

​

The UAE’s innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive comprehensive development was a focal point at a session focused on the potential of smart, sustainable cities and AI applications.

This event, hosted by the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs and Partners, featured members of the UAE delegation and was held on the sidelines of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.

Under the theme of “Transformational Local and Regional Governments: Artificial Intelligence As a Tool For Good”, the UAE delegation, along with international representatives and UN programme officials, explored sustainability opportunities in future cities and the potential use of AI in integrated government operations at both city and regional levels.

Notable attendees included Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals; Michal Mlynar, Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat; Amna Binzaal Almheiri, Consul-General of the UAE in New York; and Edward Mermelstein, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs.

The UAE delegation emphasised the government’s commitment to expanding AI usage and enhancing global partnerships to advance government and development initiatives, highlighting the strategic goal of achieving sustainable economic, social, and knowledge growth. They also discussed the importance of research, development, and innovation, facilitated by international cooperation.

Abdulla Lootah elaborated on the UAE’s proactive approach under the guidance of its visionary leadership, which prioritises integrating AI solutions in the development of sustainable smart cities and communities. He emphasised a human-centric design strategy, ensuring that community needs and well-being are at the forefront of every phase of development and service delivery. He underscored the role of innovative technologies in driving positive transformations and ensuring governance that enhances quality of life while mitigating any adverse impacts.

Furthermore, he discussed the significant impact of strategic initiatives like the Government Experience Exchange Programme, through which the UAE disseminates and shares best practices in governmental operations with global partners. This initiative aims to foster effective partnerships to achieve SDGs.

Lootah expressed gratitude to the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs for organising the session. He said, “As we look to the future, our focus must remain on fostering inclusive partnerships and expanding technological capacities. By doing so, we can work collaboratively to bridge the digital divide, creating a future where technology significantly enhances the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.”

Since its establishment in 2012, the HLPF has served as the primary platform for the UN to discuss progress on the SDGs and has played a central role in monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

HLPF 2024, themed ‘Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions,’ will conduct in-depth reviews on several SDGs: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

​

​A delegation from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday presented the country’s strategic vision for renewable energy, and climate action in the context of accelerating global progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through international partnerships.

The delegation was participating in the second day of the United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organised by the UN Economic and Social Affairs Department at its headquarters in New York and taking place until 17th July.

Representatives from the UAE presented at key sessions highlighting the UAE’s model for facilitating access to energy, eliminating poverty and hunger and securing a more climate resilient future.

A global model in setting development priorities

His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said the UAE has set a global precedent in identifying development priorities. These priorities include building sustainable healthcare systems, creating energy and climate solutions, and forging strategic partnerships with countries, governments, UN programmes, and international organisations to support progress on SDGs in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He said, "The UAE has invested heavily in healthcare, renewable energy, and climate action and began implementing global best practices in sustainable development long back and even before the UN adopted the 17 SDGs in 2016. Today, as we approach the 2030 deadline for achieving SDGs, the UAE continues to intensify partnerships and expand their scopes to boost international efforts”.

He added, “The UAE’s participation at the forum aims to highlight these urgent priorities, especially within developing countries, and explore opportunities to enhance cooperation around SDGs, especially focusing on ending hunger and poverty, accelerating climate mitigation, and supporting peace, justice, and strong institutions. The UAE looks forward to further progress on this path and we firmly believe collaboration is the fastest way to achieve SDGs”.

Tripling renewable energy capacity

The delegation participated in a session titled “Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Accelerating Just Energy Transitions in the Global South”, where Lootah presented the country’s commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, a pledge made by 130 countries at COP28 in Dubai.

Climate and healthcare

In cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UAE delegation organised a session on mitigating climate change impact and enhancing global healthcare outcomes.

During the session, Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Assistant Under-Secretary for Green Development and Climate Change at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said, “The UAE climate action centres around Sustainable Development Goals that enable access to healthcare, adequate and affordable food, quality education, and increased resource efficiency, among other vital aims. During the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, we stressed that the UAE is committed to ensuring food security for all and remain steadfast in our pursuit of SDG2: Zero Hunger. Through strategic planning, innovative solutions, and international cooperation, we are making tangible progress towards ending hunger, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture globally”.

She added, “As we navigate the complexities of global warming and environmental degradation, we cannot overlook how these issues impact economic, social, and health-related outcomes. To tackle these, we need a unified strategy for sustainable development. SDG 13 which calls to limit and adapt to climate change is particularly linked with goals that address water scarcity, hunger, health, and economic growth, among others”.

​

​The National Statistics Committee held its first meeting at the headquarters of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center in Dubai, to discuss efforts to support national strategies that serve the integration of statistical work at the state level and achieve global statistical excellence to serve development programs at the national and international levels.

The meeting discussed the importance of intensifying efforts to raise the efficiency of the statistical system, enhance cooperation frameworks and effective partnerships between local statistical centers and other entities, to implement joint projects and initiatives in the statistics and data science sector, and develop continuous assessments of renewable needs at the level of the UAE.

The meeting was chaired by H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, and attended by H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Abdul Allah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah, H.E. Yusuf Fahad, Executive Director of the Statistics Sector at SCAD, H.E. Younis Al Nasser, CEO of Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, H.E. Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics Center, and H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Saad Mohamed Director General of Fujairah Statistics Center, and His Excellency Abdulrahman Al-Shayeb Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ras Al Khaimah Statistics Center.

The members of the National Committee for Statistics approved the strategic national projects for the statistics sector in the country, which will support the processes of harmonization and unification of frameworks and methodologies between local statistical centers, in an effort to produce a unified number at the state level with high quality, characterized by integration and comprehensiveness, and in line with the best international practices with the optimal exploitation of new data sources as an important tributary to statistical data sources that reflect the success of economic sectors in order to serve the promotion of investments and attract capital, entrepreneurs and innovative projects to State.

H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, Chairman of the National Statistics Committee, said: "The UAE is a global model in activating an integrated statistical system, with effective efforts and unlimited support from the wise leadership and local statistical centers, and this is evident in the priorities of the National Statistics Committee, which contribute to enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness in the statistical field and leading global efforts towards Creating an integrated and contemporary national statistical system that measures the country’s progress in data science and artificial intelligence."

Ahli added: "The adoption of the national project to develop the methodology for measuring GDP represents the basis for designing the future of the statistical system, to achieve the optimal measurement of the positive growth of vital economic sectors and activities in the country, and for the national economy to continue its exceptional performance in light of the economic policies pursued by the UAE government."

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Abdul Allah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah, stressed the Department’s keenness to strengthen coordination and integration mechanisms with the authorities concerned with statistical work at the state level, and to improve work at the local and federal levels, which contributes to harnessing data to serve the development of vital sectors for the prosperity and quality of life of community members.

H.E. Abdulla Gharib Al Qamzi, Acting Director General of SCAD, stressed the need to unify visions on the priorities of developing the statistical work system, consolidate effective partnerships that support investment in data science and statistics, and encourage the optimal use of technologies. Modern and innovative in coordination with members of the National Statistics Committee in the UAE.

His Excellency Younis Al Nasser, CEO of Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said: "We, at Digital Dubai and Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment (DDA), are pleased to be at the forefront of every federal effort that enhances our common orientations in the field of data science and its various applications, and we believe that the National Statistics Committee represents a successful embodiment of this integrated central approach."

He added, "This committee works according to a strategic vision based on supporting a strong national environment in the field of data, which is the essence of the digital age, and it seeks to apply the best standards and draw inspiration from the best international experiences in order to propose innovative solutions to meet current and future challenges, taking into account global changes, especially in the field of emerging and renewable technologies."

Her Excellency Dr. Hajar Al Hubaishi, Executive Director of Ajman Statistics Center, said: "The high level of coordination between statistical centers in the UAE through the National Statistics Committee contributes to enhancing the role of statistics in foreseeing the future at the level of all vital sectors, and providing accurate data and reliable statistics to support National Strategic Planning and Decision Making Processes."

His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Saad Mohamed, Director General of Fujairah Statistics Center, praised the importance of integrating the statistical work system in the UAE, and the need to focus on adopting the best standards and methodologies used and adopted globally in statistical work, in collecting, analyzing and disseminating national data periodically.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Shayeb Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ras Al Khaimah Statistics Center, praised the importance of the meetings of the National Statistics Committee, as they are a national mechanism to set priorities and develop integrated plans, to ensure the organization of joint statistical work in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the statistical system in the UAE. The

National Statistics Committee, affiliated to the Council of Ministers, coordinates national efforts, promotes integration and cooperation in the field of statistical work between the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center and local statistical centers, and develops national policies, programs and strategies to publish the UAE’s unified numbers, in accordance with international standards.

​