ADFD: AED2.7 billion in development contributions for 2015

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD, ranked second in UAE foreign aid contributions, according to the report titled "UAE's Foreign Aid in 2015" by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MoFAIC.

ADFD’s expenditure amounts to AED2.70 billion (US$736.73 million), whereas government aid, ranked first with 86.1% market share of total aid spent; AED27.84 billion (US$7.57 billion), bringing the cumulative total to AED32.3 billion (US$8.8 billion).

Remarking on the results, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, ADFD Director-General, said, "Our leadership’s guidance, directives and vision has ensued the UAE’s leading role towards global development and humanitarian assistance. Their global outlook and perseverance in philanthropy has helped steer ADFD towards its mission; to support and fund sustainable socio-economic growth."

He lauded the fund’s AED2.7 billion contribution in 2015 to maintain its commitment and dedication within the field of development work, explaining that alongside ADFD’s main objective of administering concessionary loans for developing countries, it also manages the UAE’s government grants.

Commending the UAE’s sound policy of aid distribution, he added that ‘development aid’ ranks first in UAE foreign aid segments; it totalled AED29.75 billion, leading with 92% over humanitarian and charitable aid.

Mr. Al Suwaidi also said that the fund, finances projects in key socio-economic sectors such as education, infrastructure, health and social services, agriculture, transport and renewable energy.

According to the report, Africa received the lion’s share; a total of AED25.11 billion, a 70% increase over 2014’s AED14.67 billion. Countries on the Asian continent received AED6.63 billion, whereas both Europe and the Americas totalled at AED586.94 million.