About the Statement:

Issued by the Union Association for Human Rights, in cooperation with an organization holding consultative status, this written statement was submitted to the Human Rights Council at its 58th session (February – April 2025). The statement focuses on supporting African countries and empowering them to achieve their sustainable development programs, while highlighting the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) pioneering role and initiatives in supporting comprehensive development efforts across Africa, in line with its international commitments and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Contents of the Statement:

First: General background

• The statement commends the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action as an international framework that supports Africa in achieving sustainable development goals, enhancing infrastructure, and addressing poverty, unemployment, and conflict.
• It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and investment in renewable energy, education, and health as pillars of comprehensive development.

Second: The UAE’s role in supporting sustainable development in Africa

• The statement highlights the UAE’s contributions amounting to USD 1.833 billion in developmental and humanitarian aid between 2021 and 2023.
• It points to its wide-ranging efforts in various fields, including:

• Humanitarian and development assistance:
  • Providing food aid, health services, educational support, and clean water supply
  • Financing programs supporting refugees and communities affected by conflict and disasters
• Infrastructure and energy development:
  • Projects for building roads, bridges, water and sewage networks
  • Investments in solar and wind energy projects, such as the solar power plant in Togo, and the Masdar clean energy initiative
• Economic investment:
  • Supporting sectors such as agriculture, trade, industry, logistics, and technology
  • Empowering small and medium enterprises to achieve community growth
• Support for education and health:
  • Educational initiatives in remote areas
  • Establishing and equipping modern hospitals and medical centers
  • Providing scholarships for African students at UAE universities
• Security partnerships and counter-terrorism:
  • Supporting local force training programs
  • Contributing to peacekeeping operations
• Environmental cooperation:
  • Supporting projects to protect natural resources
  • Addressing climate change impacts and promoting the green economy

Third: Call to enhance international commitment

• The statement stresses the importance of expanding international initiatives supporting Africa, in line with the Vienna Declaration and the 2030 Agenda.
• It calls on the Human Rights Council to highlight the efforts of contributing countries in achieving sustainable development goals in the continent.

Importance of the statement:

• It reflects a clear commitment to supporting comprehensive development in Africa within an institutional UN framework.
• It showcases the UAE as an active development partner in multiple areas, going beyond humanitarian aid to sustainable institutional investment.
• It reaffirms the vital role of the Human Rights Council in supporting development efforts and holding states accountable for their international commitments.