15th November 2018 I’d like to start this article by quoting from the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; “the UAE will continue to pursue its cultural cooperation with other countries towards supporting the rights, fulfilling justice and building bridges of friendship and cooperation between different countries of the world to achieve global peace and prosperity.
The UAE adopts a special method with respect to foreign aid, implementing the concept of sustainable development for the good of all humanity, believing in the importance of collaboration among the countries of the world to overcome challenges.
Therefore, the UAE has made sure to be an active member of the international community in the field of channelling foreign aid based on the priorities set out by international development organizations in a way that is aligned with its objectives; fighting poverty, illiteracy and enhancing growth, prosperity and peace around the world, cooperating closely with governments of friendly developing countries in a form of constructive bilateral partnerships to achieve their national development plans and sustainable goals.
For the fifth consecutive year, the UAE has preserved its ranking among the top international donors in 2017 according to the statistics announced by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD, with donations reaching $5.3 Billion covering 147 countries around the world. This global profile as one of the largest donor country is the result of the legacy which was instilled in our hearts from the founding father of the UAE, the late Shaikh Zayed, who infused the “Emirati culture of giving” in society and current leadership of the UAE.
This year marks the eighth anniversary of the visit of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to the Pacific region, specifically to the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Fiji in 2010, during which he laid with the Governments of the Pacific, the foundation for the existing partnership between the UAE and the Pacific taking the UAE-Tonga relations to an advanced stage with achievements made in several areas including political, economic, and social cooperation despite the geographic distance.
One of the most important results of this partnership is the establishment of the UAE Pacific Fund with $50 million US dollar value which funded and delivered 11 renewable energy projects in the Pacific region with a total capacity exceeding 6 megawatts to meet the needs of the islands’ people, reducing CO2 emissions equalling 8447 tons and saving millions of dollars instead of buying diesel to generate power. The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (also known as Masdar) installed power plants in cooperation with other partners and in addition to organizing courses and workshops to enhance skills of engineers, and officers in charge in the Pacific countries.
Among remarkable lessons of this, is that the partnership taught us that cooperation is paramount to overcome challenges and to open new horizons for the people of both regions. This initiative played a vital role to stimulate knowledge and technology in the fields of environment and climate change.
The distinct partnership between the UAE and the Pacific has become a model for other regional partnerships the UAE has extended in Africa and the Caribbean.
The last Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project of the UAE contribution of US$3.5 Million towards developing the electricity network in the Capital NukoAlofa, in cooperation with New Zealand and the Asian Development Bank came as an expected result to the progress in the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and the UAE amongst many others areas.
The UAE looks forward to Tonga’s active participation in the coming Expo2020 to be held in Dubai, and for the first time in Expo 2020’s history, each Pacific country is dedicated an individual pavilion to present and market their products, economy, and beautiful history and culture.
The UAE government welcomed the decision of His Majesty King Tupou VI to appoint Honourable ‘Akau’ola as a Special Envoy of the King of Tonga to the United Arab Emirates. It also welcomed the Tongan Government’s decision to establish an embassy in Abu Dhabi. It is considered an important step towards building stronger ties with the UAE which has become a key trading and investment hub in the region and globally. Further, It is the best way to prepare for the upcoming Expo 2020. These positive development in bilateral relations embodies the awareness and vision of the prudent leadership of both countries and the significance of this partnership, which will certainly be to the advantage of governments and people of the two friendly counties.
Indeed the Tongan UAE relationship is a living example of UAE-Pacific partnership.
Saleh Alsuwaidi
UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga