Day: June 25, 2021

The UAE has joined the Central American Integration System (SICA) as a Non-Regional Observer Member State.

The state’s accession agreement to the organisation was signed during the Ministerial Council of SICA, which was held in San José, Costa Rica.

In a recorded speech, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasised the UAE’s contribution to the success of the noble endeavours of the Central American Integration System.

“On behalf of the UAE, I would like to thank the esteemed Members of the Central American Integration System, and their representatives, for the gracious invitation extended to the UAE to join SICA as a Non-Regional Observer Member State. I also thank the Republic of Costa Rica for the invitation, which represents the first participation of the UAE in the Ministerial Council of SICA under the presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica,” sheikh Abdullah said.

The UAE Foreign Minister stated that this achievement is evidence of the extraordinary relations that bring together the UAE and States in the Central American and Caribbean regions.

He added, “This cooperation between us is based on a solid foundation of historical diplomatic relations, and this step confirms the UAE’s commitment to continue developing comprehensive ties across various fields and elevating our relations to new heights through this platform.

“Proudly, the UAE plays a vital role in the region as a facilitator and catalyst for global business and trade. It’s a destination for cultural, scientific, political exchange, and a trusted partner to friends and allies around the world.”

Sheikh Abdullah highlighted that the economic relations between the UAE and the SICA Member States continue to grow and prosper and that over the past five years, the mutual trade relations have expanded by over 40 percent.

“The upward trajectory of our trade ties, coupled with over US$670 million in UAE investments in the region since 2003, reflects on our shared desire to build a constructive and mutually beneficial relation,” he explained.

H.H. continued, “The UAE shares many strategic interests with the Member States from SICA, ranging from human rights to climate change and biodiversity; from progressive economies to balanced development; and from peace and security to education and health. We are also at the forefront of urban and rural development, sustainable mobility and connectivity, renewable energy, tourism, supply chains and logistics, artificial intelligence, food security, youth and women’s empowerment.”

The UAE is a key international player in further developing cooperation with the Member States of SICA, and it has been a partner in addressing the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheikh Abdullah said. “We look forward to utilising this platform to explore forms of cooperation and exchange expertise with our allies from the Central American region.”

The UAE will soon be hosting one of the most significant events Expo 2020 Dubai, “and we aspire to identify ways of capitalising on this global event, to serve our common goals to explore cooperation through SICA,” he said.

Sheikh Abdullah concluded by saying, “We are confident that this platform and its members will prioritise the importance of regional and global cooperation, and multilateral support. The UAE reaffirms its commitment to pursue these common goals, and its readiness to seize this opportunity to achieve our common vision.

“We also emphasise on the contribution of the UAE to the success of the noble endeavours of the Central American Integration System.”

Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs, attended the Ministerial Council of SICA and signed the UAE’s accession agreement to the organisation as a Non-Regional Observer Member State.

Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has signed a cooperation agreement with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) to support the education sector in a number of African countries.

In a virtual ceremony held recently, the agreement was signed by Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs, and Prof. Silvia Serrano, Vice-Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

The agreement comes in line with the UAE’s efforts to strengthen and support the education sector in several African nations by providing 60 undergraduate full scholarships for qualified students from French-speaking African countries to pursue their studies at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

This agreement, which comes against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, is considered an opportunity for such countries to build the competencies of their human capital, which is the primary pillar for development. It will also empower African youth to build a better future and contribute to achieving the sustainable development of their countries and local communities.

The agreement is expected to take effect in September 2021, allowing students to enrol in the 2021/2022 academic year.

Commenting on the agreement, Prof. Serrano said, “With this initiative, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is pleased to be able to contribute to the pivotal role that the UAE plays in developing the global education landscape, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this cooperation will have on enhancing the educational and professional development of human capital in African countries.”

“I am confident that through this agreement, we will empower youth and contribute to the development of their intellectual capacity by allowing them to receive a world-class education that will have a major impact on their future and the long-term roles they will play in the economic development of their native countries,” she added.

Providing these scholarships for partner countries is part of the UAE’s Foreign Aid Policy, which aims to support the government in building the capacities of countries and developing their national human capital.

Through its Technical Assistance Programme (UAETAP), the UAE works to implement programmes to support developing countries by facilitating technical cooperation activities that draw upon the lessons learnt from the UAE’s developmental experience.

UAETAP provides its services in cooperation with the competent UAE government and business institutions. In addition, the UAE works in close collaboration with donor countries and international partners to provide technical cooperation programmes for beneficiary countries.

Since 2018, approximately 1,694 students from 70 countries, including 650 female students, were registered in scholarship programmes in the UAE’s higher education institutions. Among those were 725 male and female African students in different Emirati universities.

Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs