Sheikh Hamdan reiterated the interest of UAE, under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa, the President, in supporting education across the world, particularly in war-hit zones, and emphasised that education represents one of the basic right of all people, the state news agency, Wam, reported.

 

“This reflects the strong belief of the UAE in the fact that education is the necessary tool for achieving peace and sustainable development and preventing wars and epidemics which waste resources and destroy the achievements and success of state,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

 

Sheikh Hamdan made his comments as the UAE achieved the first position as the world’s largest donor country of development assistance as a percentage of gross national income in 2013.

 

“The UAE assists all countries around the world regardless of the recipients’ race, colour, faith or language, and its effort is only based on humanitarian considerations,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

 

Sheikh Hamdan said this approach was in line with the vision of the UAE’s late founding father Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and all Emiratis.

 

The UAE’s official development assistance amounted to $5 billion in 2013.The country’s foreign aid was up by 375 per cent from 2012.

 

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/education/access-to-education-a-priority-f...