AboutAbu Dhabi

Foreign policy

“The foreign policy of the UAE aims to support legitimate Arab and Islamic issues and interests and strengthen friendship and collaboration with all other countries, based on UN Conventions and internationally recognised morals and ethics. Our young country has achieved tremendous success on the international level, thanks to the noble and progressive principles our country has built. Our policy is based on the principles of legitimate rights, justice and peace, and is driven by our faith that peace is an urgent need for humanity.” The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE. (www.mofaic.gov.ae)

The ideologies guiding UAE foreign policy were expressed by the country’s first President, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sheikh Zayed’s principles included an underlying belief in justice in international dealings between nations, and the pursuit of peaceful resolutions of disputes, with strong support for international institutions, such as the United Nations (UN).

Abu Dhabi is a leading player in the global campaign against human trafficking, terrorism and in upholding human rights.

United Nations

Since it was founded in 1971, the UAE has been a member of the UN. Today, there are around 350 UN personnel in the UAE, supporting over 60 United Nations programmes and projects in the country from 13 office locations. Another nine UN entities engage with the UAE through their regional presence and headquarters including UN Women, which are responsible for promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Both are based in Abu Dhabi (www.unitedarabemirates.un.org/en)

Abu Dhabi and the United Nations work together through a set of programmes and initiatives under the umbrella of global humanitarian aid, peace and security, climate and biodiversity, partnerships for a better world, global participation, and other national and global priorities.

Abu Dhabi and the UN

UN Security Council

In January 2022, The United Arab Emirates’ mission to the UN won, for the second time in its history, a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2022-2023.(https://uaeun.org/press_release)

UN’s Human Rights Council

Continuing its efforts to promote and protect human rights on national, regional, and international levels, the UAE was elected to the UN’s Human Rights Council for the third time. It will serve a three-year term on the council from 2022 to 2024. 

UNESCO Diversity Committee

Abu Dhabi has put in place legal frameworks that enable all to live and thrive in an environment that fosters diversity. In recognition of these principles, the UAE was awarded a seat on the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Committee for Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The country's membership will run until 2025.

Other international organisations

As well as the UN and its agencies, the UAE is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Human rights

Abu Dhabi follows the principles of justice and equality, respect for human rights, humanitarian aid and relief action in line with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Human rights are guaranteed by the UAE Constitution and all people, irrespective of their race, nationality, religion, and social position, are equal before the law. In 2021, the UAE government established the National Human Rights Institution in the UAE. For further information.

Embassies and consulates

The UAE has maintained constructive diplomatic relations with over 200 countries around the world. The UAE maintains 100 embassies abroad as well as 22 consulates and one other representation.

There are currently 127 embassies in Abu Dhabi plus three representative offices (www.embassypages.com).

Foreign Aid

“Foreign aid and assistance is one of the basic pillars of our foreign policy. For we believe that there is no true benefit for us from the wealth that we have unless it does not also reach those in need, wherever they may be, and regardless of their nationality or beliefs.”Founder and former President of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The purpose of UAE aid is to reduce poverty, promote peace and prosperity, and foster bilateral economic relations through expanding trade and investment ties with developing countries. Since its founding, Abu Dhabi has provided significant aid to developing countries and has been a major contributor of emergency relief to regions affected by conflict and natural disasters.

In 2018, the UAE was named the world's largest humanitarian donor for the fifth consecutive year having aided more than more than 175 countries.

The UAE exceeded the United Nations’ target of 0.7% official development assistance in proportion to its Gross National Income (GNI) ratio by donating AED19.32 billion, a growth of 18.1 % over 2016, representing 1.31 percent of its GNI for official development assistance in 2017.

In 2020, the UAE provided more than 1,860 tonnes of medical supplies and personal protection kits, amounting to AED 1.29 billion (USD 351.3 million) to 128 countries worldwide as a contribution towards the global fight against COVID-19.

In 2019, the number of passenger arrivals at the Abu Dhabi International Airport was approximately 10.6 million people. By 2026, the number of international tourists visiting the UAE will hit 30.94 million and they are expected to spend AED167.7 billion (USD 45.66 billion).
 
The growth of the travel and tourism industry generates more job opportunities, benefitting hotels, travel agents, airlines, restaurants, and leisure industries. Currently, the sector directly supports around 318,000 jobs in the UAE which represents 5.4 per cent of total employment. This is expected to rise by 2.4 per cent per annum to 410,000 by 2027.(https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/travel-and-tourism)