Dubai, UAE, 1 April 2015: The Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation extended thanks and gratitude to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his noble initiative to establish the Foundation. The Board noted that the initiative is a great support to the UAEs Humanitarian and charitable efforts.

The meeting was chaired by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA and Chairman of the UAE Water Aid Foundations Board of Trustees. It was attended by HE Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry for International Development, HE Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Baili, Deputy Vice Chairman for Academic Affairs (Provost) of United Arab Emirates University, HE Humaid Rashid Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary General of international aid at the UAE Red Crescent, Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation at DEWA, Mohammed Abdel Kareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of the UAE Water Aid Foundation, and Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA.

Al Tayer welcomed the Board members and congratulated them for being nominated by their places of work for this great humanitarian mission. He underlined the noble goal behind establishing this Foundation and its role in enhancing the UAEs global position. It is an important addition to the UAEs humanitarian and charitable efforts, especially in providing potable and clean water, finding optimal and permanent solutions to water scarcity, and combating water-related diseases.

During the meeting, the Board reviewed the agenda which included electing a Vice Chairman. The Board unanimous elected HE Humaid Rashid Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the UAE Red Crescent, for the position. The Board was briefed about appointing Mohammed Abdel Kareem Al Shamsi as Acting Executive Director of the Foundation. Discussions included financial issues and the estimated annual budget. The Board emphasised the importance of enhancing the financial status, the proper management of the Foundations finances, and investing in projects that can bring in profits, like real estate. Decisions were taken in other issues on the agenda.

Discussions also focused on other important issues, including adopting research and innovation in carrying out the Foundations function, and utilising available resources to optimise its performance. Al Tayer emphasised that DEWA will develop the Foundations strategy based on its global and prestigious position. The Board highlighted the necessity to develop global partnerships with international organisations working in the field of humanitarian aid to strengthen the position of the Foundation and establish the name of the UAE Water Aid globally. The Foundations vision and mission will be developed accordingly.