GovWire

International Development Secretary Priti Patel has welcomed the UAEs generosity in providing humanitarian assistance to support some of the biggest global challenges of today and in promoting womens empowerment domestically and throughout the region.

During a 2 day visit Priti Patel met key Emirati counterparts, including His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Her Excellency Sheikha ?Lubna Minister of State for Tolerance to discuss the UK and UAEs mutually beneficial relationship on humanitarian assistance, gender equality, trade and regional security.

The International Development Secretary also joined members of the international community in the UAE to give a key note speech at a landmark conference about building the resilience of women and girls in the Arab region.

Speaking alongside UAE leaders and UN Women representatives at the Investing in the Future: Building the Resilience of Women and Girls in the Arab Region Conference the first international event on this topic to be held in the region Priti Patel set out how improving the rights of women and girls is crucial for tackling global challenges, building stability and achieving prosperity in the region and internationally.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel said:

The UAE is a key partner for the UK on trade, security and humanitarian assistance. Global Britain is committed to strengthening our engagement with our strategic partners across the Gulf. We welcome the UAEs generosity in providing humanitarian assistance to support some of the biggest global challenges of today and in promoting womens empowerment domestically and throughout the region.

During my visit, I met UAE leaders to discuss our countries important relationship as we look towards the next World Expo in Dubai in 2020. I was also honoured to give a keynote speech at a landmark conference on women in the Arab world.

The UK will continue to push forward our countries joint interests of security and prosperity across the region, and to demonstrate how empowering women and girls can accelerate economic growth and ultimately build a more stable world for us all.

The UK and the UAE are the only two countries internationally recognised for meeting the targets to spend 0.7% of our gross national income on overseas aid, and 2% of our GDP on defence.

NOTES

• The Investing in the Future: Building the Resilience of Women and Girls in the Arab Region Conference was co-hosted by UN Women and Sheikha Jawaher, UN Eminent Advocate for Refugees and wife of the ruler of Sharjah.

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