Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for development aid, hosted a workshop for Arab and regional development institutions to discuss ways of supporting the government of Afghanistan in implementing its development plans and programmes.
The attendees included representatives of the ADFD, the Afghan government, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Islamic Development Bank, as well as the Opec (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) Fund for International Development.
Mohammad Saif Al Suwaidi, director-general of ADFD, thanked the Arab and regional financial institutions for attending the workshop and actively participating in its various sessions. He added that such support would enable the people of Afghanistan to achieve economic and social development across all sectors. He reaffirmed the keenness of the UAE and its leadership to stand by the people of Afghanistan, and support them in addressing their development challenges.
“The ADFD works closely with the Government of Afghanistan to support various economic and social development projects that contribute to the country’s sustainable growth,” Al Suwaidi said.
He said the ADFD has maintained a strong relationship with the Government of Afghanistan since 1977. During this period, the fund has supported several key development projects that have had a significant impact on the economy of the country, Al Suwaidi said. The one-day workshop was also attended by Dr Mohammad Qayoumi, chief adviser to the President of Afghanistan; Sultan Mohammad Al Shamsi, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs; Abdul Fareed Zakaria, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the UAE; and Khalifa Abdullah Al Qubaisi, deputy director-general of ADFD, among others.
Dr Qayoumi lauded the ADFD’s efforts in supporting Afghanistan in achieving its sustainable development objectives.
Dr Qayoumi noted that ADFD was one of the first aid agencies to support development projects in Afghanistan that improved the living standards of its citizens.
Since it started its support for development projects in Afghanistan in 1977, ADFD has allocated Dh1.2 billion towards the development of 14 projects that contributed to the economic and social development of the country.
