The United Arab Emirates has participated at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville, Spain.
The high-level conference was convened under the patronage of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, represented the UAE at the meet.
Speaking at the event, HE Al Hashimy stressed the urgency of reinforcing partnerships and investing in integrated solutions that connect humanitarian, development, and peace agendas.
The Minister highlighted at the FfD4 meet that the UAE’s view that, “Addressing today’s complex challenges requires not just stronger multilateralism, but a reinvention of it. One that is agile, inclusive, and driven by innovation, technology, and meaningful private sector collaboration. In an era of accelerating complexity, this approach is central to delivering real-world impact.”
HE Al Hashimy reiterated the UAE’s steadfast support for vulnerable and crisis-affected regions, especially low-income countries. She pointed to the country’s leadership in financing renewable energy and advancing food, water, and health security in developing regions.
Pointing at UAE’s extensive global reach, HE Al Hashimy noted that the country’s development assistance spans over 100 nations, with a significant focus on sectors that align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Reaffirming its commitment to global environmental governance, the UAE announced it will co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference alongside Senegal. The conference will aim to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6, building on outcomes from COP28 and the UAE President’s Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.
The UAE also endorsed the Seville Declaration, which emphasizes inclusivity, resilience, and sustainable investment. HE Al Hashimy noted that the UAE has consistently ranked among the world’s top contributors of Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI), maintaining an average of 0.7 percent since 2015.
The UAE concluded its participation at FfD4 by affirming its determination to forge forward-looking partnerships aimed at delivering tangible outcomes. It emphasized that the focus should not only be on the destination but also on the approach, which must be efficient, future-oriented, and grounded in the real needs of the communities being served.
