The UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has announced the creation of a new philanthropic foundation to oversee a wide portfolio of programmes in global health, education, food and water security, energy, climate and sustainability, and social innovation.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Erth Zayed Philanthropies, will act as a holding entity, bringing together many of the existing initiatives funded by the UAE president, including the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Sandooq Al Watan, Clean Rivers, the Global Institute for Disease Elimination, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.

The idea is to improve efficiencies as well as leverage partnerships across the public and private sectors to amplify the impact of existing and new projects and support the country in its growing role as leading player in the global philanthropy ecosystem.

"The launch of Erth Zayed Philanthropies… represents a strategic effort to bring together our humanitarian initiatives and philanthropic entities under one cohesive vision, enhancing their reach and effectiveness to deliver positive impact on a truly global scale,” explained Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

Erth means “legacy” in Arabic - and according to Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, the new foundation is about “deepening commitment to honouring this legacy with renewed energy and focus while reaffirming the UAE’s leadership in international development and support for humanitarian causes.”

Other institutions that will come under the umbrella of Erth Zayed include the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, the Khalifa Award for Education, the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, and the Mohamed Bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher. - PA