Mohammed receives UNRWA official

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Pierre Krahenbuhl on Monday.

During the meeting, which was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed discussed with Krahenbuhl the situation of Palestinian refugee diaspora, the difficult conditions they have to endure in Gaza due to the siege, shortage of relief aid and UNRWA's budget shortfalls.

Krahenbuhl attributed the UNRWA's failure to implement its programmes in Gaza to the depleted financial resources, following a delay by some donor countries in fulfilling pledges.

He praised all types of support given by the UAE, through its charitable and humanitarian organisations, to the Palestinian refugees. He expressed the UNRWA's appreciation for the humanitarian stances adopted by the leadership, government and organisations of the UAE towards over one million Palestinians, suffering lack of healthcare, shelter and opportunities for education and jobs.

Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the UAE's solidarity with the humanitarian organisations and its support to their relief and development programmes, especially in the areas of providing education and medical treatment to children.

The meeting was attended by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, senior officials and members of the delegation accompanying the UNRWA Commissioner.

Innovation is key to future: Mohammed

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said that the UAE has adopted innovation as an institutional approach and a culture of the society that aims at developing its human factor as well government institutions, as part of its drive to build a sustainable future.

His remarks came as he attended the graduation ceremony of the first batch of "Public Sector Innovation Diploma", in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, were also present during the ceremony.

Sheikh Mohammed said that innovation is a continuous journey with no time limit, adding that the annual organisation of the "UAE Innovation Week" is just the beginning of a continuous journey towards the future, where its positive results will impact not only the UAE, but also the region and the world.

His Highness said that the federal government continuously adopt innovative initiatives and ideas as part of strategic vision, and encourage teams to adopt innovation in their work.

The Ruler of Dubai addressed graduates and urged them to develop innovative approaches at their work places, as innovation is a key for the future of the country.

The Public Sector Innovation Diploma was launched in 2015 and included 55 graduates from local and federal entities. The programme is jointly executed by Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation Cambridge University in the UK, and includes 6 main courses that mainly focus on the UAE 2021 vision.

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