Dubai: Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum on Sunday launched global initiatives to provide humanitarian aid and carry out development projects in 116 countries, the media reported.
Funded with $272.5 million, the 1,400 initiatives will focus on the Arab world, an official statement said. They are aimed at spreading knowledge, combating poverty, empowering communities and innovation for the future, Xinhua news agency reported.
Dubai will not turn its back to the "massive challenges" the Arab world is facing, Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) vice president and prime minister, said at the launch event.
“The world has spent tens of billions on addressing global challenges. If only a quarter of this amount was spent on development in our region, we would overcome our challenges and our people could overcome their difficulties to restore their role in building vibrant societies which contribute to the development and wellbeing of mankind,” Sheikh Mohammad said.
“The Arab region is undergoing massive challenges. We will not turn our backs on our region, we will provide our support and bring hope for our youth", he said.
“The world today is facing great challenges on all levels; in terrorism, wars and mass immigration and the only solution lies in human development which can be achieved by educating people and helping them build their future", he added.
The initiatives will target 130 million people over the coming years.
Around $136 million will address the problem of water shortages in the Middle East and North Africa and other parts of the world.
By supporting 50,000 entrepreneurs with financial injections, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives also aim to create at least 500,000 jobs.
Some Dh150 million will be awarded to encourage creatives, intellectuals, and journalists to create cultural discourse that is based in empowering communities, enhancing their cohesion, and increasing their cultural creativity. The institution will target over a million participants in awards and forums related to community empowerment over the next 10 years.
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