The UAE lacks a policy on the SDGs and looks at the goals more from a development and investment perspective, an event by the country’s UN mission during the HLPF 2021 showed.
Chaired by Abdulla Nasser Lootah, the Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, and the Chairman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals and with the participation of Mohammed A. M. Al Maras, Head Of Strategic Affairs at the office of His Highness the Vice President of the UAE and the Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the UAE delegation actively participate in debates on the United Nations headquarters The emphasis was made on the improvement of knowledge flow, development of international collaboration, and creating solid partnerships in compliance with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
The UAE delegation outlined several national actions that are focused on creating a harmonized incentive for the further development with regard to equal opportunities and saving resources for the next generations in UAE, as well as with the accent on utility for every individual and the society as a whole. Other principal members of the delegation were Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri; Acting Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi; Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzooqi; Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Interior and Hashem Al Attas; Senior Portfolio Manager MENA at Masdar.
Amina Mohammed spoke positively about the current partnership and said: “I hope that the cooperation with UAE will flourish in the nearest future to advance the sustainable development of the 2030 Agenda to bring a better life to the communities all over the world.
Abdulla Nasser Lootah spoke of the UAE’s favourable attitude towards SDG and the willingness to collaborate with the United Nations to eradicate poverty and hunger in the world, increase climate action, support powerful institutions and cooperation with a view of reaching common goals, To foster this cooperation, he stressed the need for developing strategic partnership with UN development programmes to share the best practices as well as innovative ideas for reaching the ultimate goals of sustainable development.
Lootah continued his speech by saying, “The UAE has successfully evolved into a dependable partner of the international community in attaining development objectives and fostering peace, justice, and international organizations such as the United Nations system after four decades of earnest endeavors and coordination with countries, governments, and organizations.