Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, said the annual celebration of World Humanitarian Day on August 19 should be an opportunity to promote the values of friendliness, tolerance, giving and human fraternity.

In a statement on this occasion, Dr. Al-Ali said the UAE’s celebration of this global humanitarian day comes at a time when it has remarkably succeeded in positioning itself as world-leading country in humanitarian work and relief efforts at the regional and international levels.

Dr. Al-Ali emphasized that humanitarian work has been ingrained in the UAE and its people’s mindset, following in the footsteps of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (mag God rest his soul in peace), and the wise leadership. He added that the UAE has made a great difference in in the field of humanitarian work as being the largest donor of foreign aid in the world in relation to its GDP.

Dr. Al-Ali said humanitarian work in the UAE has become a feature of the country’s policy. It has become a comprehensive institutional approach that is not limited to providing material assistance only but also takes initiative to move quickly to areas of humanitarian crises, interact with them and extend a helping hand to the needy.

The fact that the Vatican has granted the “Man of Humanity” Award, last month, to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was a fruit of the country’s tireless efforts, role and international aid it has provided, especially during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Al-Ali explained.

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali concluded his statement by saying that TRENDS Research and Advisory has contributed and will continue to contribute to highlighting the UAE’s efforts in humanitarian work through its various studies, publications, activities and events, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. He emphasized that TRENDS will continue to give special attention to humanitarian work as part of the country’s soft power and approach.