His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has issued a Federal Decree establishing the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council.

Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs at the Presidential Court, the council is responsible for supervising international humanitarian and philanthropic affairs.

The council further comprises Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Community Development; His Excellency Faris Mohammed Ahmed Al Mazrouei, Adviser to the Presidential Court; His Excellency Dr. Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Red Crescent; His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development; and His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs.

The roles of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council include oversight of the international humanitarian and philanthropic sector, reviewing and approving the policy agenda for international humanitarian and philanthropic affairs, oversight of the preparation and implementation of relevant initiatives and projects, developing the future vision for international humanitarian and philanthropic affairs and general frameworks for implementation, and forming any necessary subcommittees to support operations.  

The council will integrate the Joint Strategic Committee for African Cooperation, UAE Humanitarian Committee, Higher Committee for Foreign Aid, and International Health Advisory Committee.