UN in UAE 2023 Annual Report: Partnering for a Sustainable Future

The year 2023 marked a significant milestone in the United Nations’ longstanding partnership with the United Arab Emirates, highlighted by the UAE’s hosting of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) and declaring 2023 the “Year of Sustainability.” During this period, the UN Country Team (UNCT) in the UAE collaborated closely with a diverse range of UAE partners, including government entities, the private sector, academia, youth, and the diplomatic corps, to advocate for global climate action and sustainability initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The United Nations’ normative role and its ability to convey powerful messages, combined with the cutting-edge expertise of its numerous entities and high-level policy advice, opened new avenues for innovative partnerships with the UAE. This strategic positioning enabled the UAE to showcase its expertise on a global scale.

A dedicated UN COP28 Task Team was instrumental in cultivating diverse avenues for climate action, knowledge sharing, and multi-stakeholder partnerships within the UAE’s environmental community. These efforts reflected the UNCT’s commitment to amplifying youth leadership and bolstering synergies between climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Demonstrating its steadfast commitment to humanitarian aid, the UAE played a pivotal role in supporting UN relief efforts throughout the year. Contributing over US$221 million towards UN-supported relief operations, the UAE significantly aided in mitigating distress and fostering resilience in crisis-affected communities worldwide. These substantial contributions underscore the UAE’s vital role as a facilitator of swift and efficient global aid delivery, enhancing the UN’s capacity for effective humanitarian responses.
 

The 2023 annual report encapsulates the multifaceted collaboration between the UAE and the United Nations—a partnership dedicated to realizing a sustainable, just, and prosperous future through concerted action and shared resolve, striving for a prosperous and peaceful world for all.

The UNCT in the UAE remains dedicated to promoting innovative approaches in line with the UN 2.0 vision: a modern UN family invigorated by a forward-thinking culture and empowered with cutting-edge skills. This transformation enables more agile, responsive, and impactful partnerships between the UN Development System and the UAE.

Looking ahead to 2024, the United Nations in the UAE is poised to capitalize on the momentum generated by the outcomes of COP28 and the UAE’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development. Priorities include deepening partnerships with the UAE government, civil society, and the private sector to foster tangible global progress on the SDGs and address pressing environmental challenges. Emphasizing collaboration on humanitarian action, innovative solutions will be explored, harnessing digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge tools to augment impact and efficiency.

A pivotal focus for 2024 lies in close collaboration with the UAE government to build momentum towards the landmark Summit of the Future. Drawing upon the UAE’s forward-thinking vision and global convening power, joint efforts aim to pioneer new models of international cooperation, mobilize multi-stakeholder coalitions, and harness the full potential of digital transformation for the betterment of people and the planet.

The 2023 annual report encapsulates the multifaceted collaboration between the UAE and the United Nations—a partnership dedicated to realizing a sustainable, just, and prosperous future through concerted action and shared resolve, striving for a prosperous and peaceful world for all.