The AVPN Global Conference 2024, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chair of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, saw UAE organisations announce more than US$150 million in funding commitments. These landmark commitments will support global health, poverty alleviation, species conservation and entrepreneurship. In addition, a milestone pact was launched between the UAE and Indonesia to reduce plastics pollution, alongside a partnership with the Government of Astana city, Kazakhstan, to establish a rehabilitation centre for people of determination.
His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “The UAE and Abu Dhabi’s leadership within global development and philanthropy demonstrates our commitment to advancing the humanitarian agenda to uplift vulnerable communities around the world. In hosting the AVPN Global Conference 2024, the UAE further highlights the opportunity to work in partnership with countries and communities to address global challenges and promote prosperity worldwide.”
The funding commitments announced this week represent the largest on record for the Conference, which is now in its 11th year. The 2024 Conference is also AVPN’s largest to date, gathering more than 1,500 delegates from around the world, in recognition of Abu Dhabi’s ability to convene and unite diverse stakeholders in support of innovative and inclusive global development.
Members of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council participated in the Conference including Her Excellency Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Community Development, His Excellency Dr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). Over the course of the Conference, many UAE organisations were represented in addition to leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors globally.
Key announcements included a US$50 million commitment to the second phase of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund 2.0 (LLF 2.0), a multi-donor development initiative that supports Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) member countries in building sustainable pathways out of poverty. The funding will be deployed by LLF 2.0 in support of critical projects in health and infectious diseases, agriculture, and social infrastructure in low and lower-middle income IsDB member countries. In addition to targeting root causes of poverty, food insecurity, and poor health outcomes, the investments aim to support 32 member countries to achieve 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The financing will be administered by ADFD and is in addition to the US$50 million the UAE has contributed to the LLF since its launch in 2016.
Reaching the Last Mile, a portfolio of global health programmes driven by the philanthropy of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, announced a US$15 million commitment to the Abu Dhabi-based Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), its second since the Institute’s launch in 2019. The grant confirms Reaching the Last Mile’s belief in GLIDE’s mission to realise a world free from preventable infectious diseases, and affirms Abu Dhabi as a leading partner to global health progress, innovation, and collaboration.
Clean Rivers, a global non-profit dedicated to tackling riverine plastic pollution, has committed up to US$20 Million in a landmark UAE-Indonesia partnership to reduce ocean plastic pollution from Indonesia’s waterways. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia announced this landmark initiative through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The UAE and Indonesia will cooperate on several vital areas, including capacity building and increasing stakeholder awareness, and the design and delivery of economically sustainable circular waste systems.
Her Excellency Razan bint Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, announced a contribution by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of US$40 million to the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund). Established by His Highness in 2009, the MBZ Fund has supported grassroots species conservation programmes across 170 countries. The new contribution will increase the fund’s endowment to more than US$70 million by 2028.
The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation announced plans to finance micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with the aim of developing projects that nurture entrepreneurship, building capacity and capability among young entrepreneurs in some of the least developed countries in the world. Recognising the significant opportunity for MSME’s to positively contribute to economic growth, this US$27 million initiative will provide funding through a variety of mechanisms to allow recipients to build and grow their businesses.
The Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government (Akimat) of Astana City in the Republic of Kazakhstan to establish a rehabilitation centre for people of determination (people with disabilities). The centre will be located in the Yesil area of Astana city and will provide rehabilitation services. The partnership represents Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation's commitment to comprehensive development efforts in Kazakhstan.
The conference afforded the opportunity to showcase the significant philanthropic and impact ecosystem that exists in the UAE, and the opportunity ahead to work in partnership to deliver a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
