UAE Aid | About UAE Aid

About UAE Aid

The Legacy of UAE Giving

Institutionalising a Culture of Giving

Sheikh Zayed becomes the founding President of the UAE in 1971 and begins institutionalising foreign aid and the culture of giving.
That same year, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) is established to strategically manage development assistance, such as infrastructure, education, and economic development, encouraging the establishment of other entities in support of such efforts, such as Dar El Ber Society.
The UAE extends aid to Arab and Islamic countries affected by war and poverty, focusing on post-conflict recovery and infrastructure-led development.

The Late Sheikh Zayed prepares to raise the UAE flag for the first time in 1971

Girl with water from a well built by UAE Aid and Dubai Charity Association in Niger in 2023

About UAE Aid

The UAE's foreign aid reflects a vision in which compassion powers progress, and generosity transforms lives, economies, and futures. The UAE foreign aid ecosystem brings together national actors under one unified, future-facing force for good, rebuilding livelihoods, working hand in hand to empower communities, and strengthening economies from the ground up. This approach is guided by a set of principles that prioritise effectiveness, transparency, national ownership, and long-term partnership.

UAE Foreign Aid Ecosystem

The leading institutions that embody the UAE foreign aid ecosystem’s commitment to solidarity and global partnerships.

UAE Foreign Aid Modalities

UAE Foreign Aid Policy Framework

Supporting Partner Governments and Communities

Aligning with partner countries’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) and priorities.

Addressing Neglected Needs

Directing efforts to undersupported communities and underfunded crises.

Leveraging UAE’s Strengths

Drawing from the UAE’s unique characteristics and development journey to empower others.

Fostering Collaboration and Coordination

Working alongside multilateral organisations and other donors to advance shared global goals.

Promoting Sustainability and Accountability

Designing impactful, environmentally sound programmes with measurable results.

Prioritising Transparency and Results

Ensuring aid is open, measurable, and continuously evaluated through clear targets and performance tracking.

Country Partnerships

UAE foreign aid is shaped by strong partnerships with recipient countries, rooted in national ownership, mutual respect, and a deep understanding of local needs. Through close collaboration with partner governments, the UAE co-develops strategies that align with national development goals, ensuring aid is effective and sustainable. By focusing on shared priorities and outcomes, this approach strengthens local capacities and enhances long-term impact across sectors.

UAE Aid and International Charity Organization volunteers distribute blankets to communities

Humanitarian Assistance

The UAE provides principled humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate suffering, and protect the dignity of affected populations, particularly in the face of natural disasters, conflicts, and protracted crises. Guided by international humanitarian law, this support is rapid, neutral, and needs-based, with a strong commitment to leaving no one behind.

The UAE's humanitarian aid strategy combines immediate emergency response with sustained support to multilateral organisations. Assistance is extended both bilaterally and multilaterally, with a specific focus on "forgotten emergencies," which refer to crises that often receive limited international attention and funding. Stabilisation is also a key component of this approach. The UAE actively supports efforts to restore essential services, promote peace and social cohesion, and lay the groundwork for early recovery and sustainable development in fragile and post-conflict settings.

UAE Aid and Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation volunteer distributes a winter bag to a young girl

Global Themes

The UAE’s Foreign Aid Policy supports seven global themes that reflect its vision for inclusive, sustainable development. These priorities include infrastructure, women and girls empowerment and protection, education, health, climate change, food security, and science, technology and innovation. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term development goals, the UAE targets critical challenges facing vulnerable populations. This thematic focus enables aid to be more responsive, coordinated, and transformative, aligning with the UAE’s broader commitment to human dignity, resilience, and global progress.

Global Partnerships

The UAE builds strategic partnerships across the global aid ecosystem, working with multilateral organisations, bilateral and triangular partners, multi-donor funds, and national contributors to strengthen aid coordination and promote locally led, sustainable solutions. These partnerships amplify the impact of UAE foreign assistance, strengthen the global aid system, and ensure alignment with the priorities of partner countries.

The UAE also places strong emphasis on private sector engagement, encouraging trade and investment in developing countries, strengthening bilateral business ties, and addressing systemic barriers to economic growth. This includes promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly among local SMEs, to unlock new opportunities and boost community resilience.

Governance, Regulation and Performance Measurement

Two women receive food assistance as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives 1 Billion Meals campaign in Niger in 2021

UAE foreign assistance operates within a structured governance framework that ensures accountability, transparency, and alignment with national priorities. This framework sets clear roles and responsibilities across national actors, promotes institutional coordination, and ensures alignment with global development agendas. Regulatory mechanisms are in place to uphold effectiveness, enable the development of strong partnerships, and enhance the delivery of UAE aid in accordance with international standards.

In parallel, a comprehensive results-based management system enables performance measurement across the UAE’s aid ecosystem. This system monitors progress through clearly defined objectives, assesses outcomes, and promotes learning. It guides adaptive programming through feedback mechanisms and evidence-based decision-making, while also prioritising transparency through regular performance reporting to both national and international stakeholders.