Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) became the first institution in the MENA region to receive the United Nation Small Island Developing States Partnerships Award on behalf of the UAE, which claimed first place in the economic category for ADFD’s initiatives – the UAE Pacific Partnership Fund and the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund. The award was received by His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, at the Annual Global Multi-Stakeholder SIDS Partnership Dialogue in New York, on the margins of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The initiative was nominated through submissions by ADFD, which allocated US$100 million to them. These initiatives, representing strategic partnerships between the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), ADFD, and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), as well as a university and 26 governments from Small Island Developing States, have been critical in accelerating the transition to renewable energy, reducing fossil fuel dependence, enhancing energy security, and expanding climate action in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, leading to significant economic development.
This collaboration focused on advancing solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects in SIDS, driving innovation, creating employment opportunities, promoting gender equality, and strengthening climate resilience.
Legacy of sustainable development
In his acceptance speech, His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, highlighted the UAE’s legacy of sustainable development instituted by the UAE’s founding president, the late Sheikh Zayed, and carried forward by our wise leadership through numerous strategic vision and prudent policies, accelerating the energy transition and economic transformation of the SIDS.
H.E. Al Suwaidi said: “Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD is committed to supporting the UAE’s mission to minimize the effects of climate change through the promotion of clean energy in Small Island Developing States and globally.”
He added: “International cooperation is central to our mission to achieve global energy and sustainable development goals, and we are grateful to all contributors for the recognition we have achieved in this field. We reaffirm our commitment to support the island states on their journey towards a sustainable and resilient energy future.”
