Shaikh Mohammed instructed the board to prepare an executive plan to achieve its objective, which is to reach 130 million people in the next 10 years.
Dubai - Shaikh Mohammed chairs first meeting of global initiatives foundation.
Published: Wed 7 Oct 2015, 9:09 PM
Last updated: Thu 8 Oct 2015, 9:00 AM
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday chaired the first meeting of the board of trustees of the 'Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives'.
The recently-established foundation is one of the largest development and community foundations in the region and consolidates the work of 28 organisations focused on fighting poverty and illness; spreading knowledge and culture; empowering the community and driving innovation. In all, the foundation's initiatives will implement over 1,400 human development programmes in more than 116 countries around the world.
Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice-President of the board of trustees, attended the meeting.
Shaikh Mohammed instructed the board to prepare an executive plan to achieve its objective, which is to reach 130 million people in the next 10 years.
Shaikh Mohammed said: "To create tangible change, philanthropic work needs a clear vision, strategic planning, defined objectives and efficient management of resources. We aim to improve the quality of life of 130 million people, and my sons and family will be on the frontlines, leading this project.
"Our ambitions for the philanthropic activities are huge and we need a foundation to realise these ambitions. Previously, we could reach over 56 million beneficiaries, and today we are unifying our entire humanitarian activities under one umbrella to double this number."
Shaikh Mohammed directed the board to create a team to coordinate between the entities that are part of the foundation to explore opportunities, create real partnerships and maximise the use of all available resources.
Shaikh Hamdan said: "The objectives of the foundation have been well received by our community. The new foundation complements the previous efforts of Shaikh Mohammed and its establishment paves the way for a new phase of philanthropic and developmental activities."
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Shaikh Mohammed, said: "The Arab world is going through a critical phase, a phase that calls for leaders like Shaikh Mohammed, leaders that give people hope and create real change with their path-breaking initiatives."
During the first meeting, the board approved a number of strategic initiatives and projects.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com