The UAE’s journey in foreign assistance spans more than five decades, beginning with the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in July 1971 six months before even the formation of the UAE, and expanding through the creation of humanitarian and charitable organisations between 1972 and 2007.
The UAE adopted an institutional approach to foreign assistance in 2008 with the establishment of the Foreign Aid Coordination Office, followed by the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development in 2013 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in 2016.
This journey culminated in the establishment of the UAE Aid Agency in 2024.
The Agency was established pursuant to Federal Decree-Law No. 27 of 2024.
It possesses independent legal personality and full legal capacity to undertake its activities and fulfil its mandate and operates under the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council (IHPC).
H.E. Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri serves as Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, while H.E. Sultan Mohamed Al Shamsi serves as Vice Chairman.
The Agency’s responsibilities include identifying aid priorities, coordinating with national entities, implementing relief, early recovery and development programmes, and representing the UAE in international forums.
The Agency also collaborates with private-sector entities and local and international organisations to ensure that humanitarian and development assistance remains sustainable, inclusive and responsive to the needs of communities, in line with the UAE's humanitarian and development vision.