ABU DHABI, 13th May, 2022 (WAM) -- The UAE has pledged to donate AED220 million (US$60 million) to support global efforts in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future pandemics, including coronavirus variants.

The country's donation will include AED 36 million (US$10 million) to facilitate easy access to COVID-19 testing kits, and AED 183 million (US$50 million) worth of aid to provide specialized medical supplies to curb the spread of the pandemic.

The pledge was made by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, during her participation in the second Global COVID-19 Summit, co-hosted by theUnited States, Belize, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal.

Reem Al Hashemy affirmed the UAE's continued commitment and ongoing support for effortsmade by the international community to address any future threats of pandemics and diseasesthat could threaten humanity and pose a threat to the global health system, similar what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on this, the UAE has underscored the importance of joint action and the integration of efforts made through national and international health systems to support global capabilities towards future resilience against any epidemic threats.

Moreover, Al Hashemy noted the UAE's relevant experience, starting with planning and early testing, but also Al to ensure the readiness of local healthcare systems by supplying them with advanced technologies, effective communication and group examination programs, all of which are important to reduce the impact of the pandemic. Al Hashemy added that the UAE had shared the results of its genetic research on COVID-19 variants with the international community upon the directives of its leadership, which underscored the importance of continuing to coordinate efforts to enhance the values of human solidarity with everyone in need of support.

"The UAE has harnessed its logistical capacities to provide 136 countries with the necessary medical supplies to address the pandemic. The nation has fully supported the establishment of field hospitals in nine countries, in addition to the COVAX initiative with a donation of US$50 million, to support the provision of vaccines to developing countries in an effective and accessible manner," she said.

Concluding her speech, Al Hashemy explained that the UAE, as a current member of the United Nations Security Council, will fulfil its pledge to increase its contributions to international cooperation and global health, by producing and supplying medicines and essential medical requirements, as part of its plans for early intervention to address potential regional and international challenges, and obstacles