The Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in the UAE have signed a new joint cooperation agreement to implement the "Bridge of Amal Holding" program
After the success of the first phase of qualifying 68 communication centers in youth centers...
Rehabilitation of 60 new centers for people with disabilities in Egypt and providing internet services for 68 centers.
Sobahi: The protocol is an extension and consolidation of the distinguished bilateral relations between the two sister countries.
Ambassador of UAE: Since its establishment, the United Arab Emirates has shown significant interest in individuals with disabilities, regardless of the type of impairment. This approach was set by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed.
Secretary-General:We appreciate the successful bilateral cooperation between Emirati institutions and their Egyptian counterparts in support of individuals with disabilities, commonly referred to as "People of Determination."
The Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in the UAE have signed a new joint cooperation agreement to implement the "Bridge of Amal Holding" program. The program aims to raise awareness among families of people with disabilities in some rural areas of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The organization collaborated with a local partner in Abu Dhabi, ADQ Holding, to sponsor the program. ADQ agreed to sponsor and finance the second phase of equipping various facilities, centers, and sports clubs to make these facilities accessible and usable for people with disabilities in some rural areas of Egypt.
This supports the development of the distinguished bilateral relations between the two sister countries, the UAE and Egypt, and complements the efforts of cooperation, achieving the common vision between the two sides.
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding took place at the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports in the New Administrative Capital. Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, and Her Excellency Mariam Al Kaabi, the Ambassador of UAE to the Arab Republic of Egypt and her Permanent Representative to the Arab League, attended the event. The agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by Major General Abdel Rahman Shalsh, the Deputy Minister and Head of the Central Administration for Minister's Office Affairs. On behalf of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, the agreement was signed by His Excellency Abdullah Abdul Ali Al Hameidan, the Secretary-General of the Organization.
The ceremony was attended by leaders from the Egyptian Ministry of Youth, including Major General Ismail Al Far, the Head of the Youth Sector, and Nagwa Salah, the Head of the Central Administration for Youth Development. From Zayed Higher Organization, His Excellency Nafea Al Hammad, the Executive Director of Support Services, and a group of the organization's leaders were also present.
Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, appreciated the cooperation with UAE in the fields of youth and sports. This cooperation is seen as an extension and consolidation of the distinguished bilateral relations between the two sister countries, under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of United Arab Emirates, may Allah protect him. These relations extend to both the Egyptian and Emirati peoples, characterized by strong bonds of love, mutual respect, and brotherhood.
Sobhi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and ADQ Holding for this collaboration. He added that the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports collaborates with various entities and institutions to serve youth through the implementation of a variety of programs and projects.
The Minister of Youth and Sports emphasized the Egyptian state's interest in integrating individuals with abilities and determination into various activities and projects, in line with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The aim is to support and fulfill their desires, integrate them into society, noting that people with abilities and determination are characterized by determination and resilience, achieving unique accomplishments in various fields.
Her Excellency Mariam Al Kaabi, the Ambassador of UAE to Egypt and the Permanent Representative to the Arab League, stated, "I am honored to welcome you all, and I am pleased to have you participate in the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Arab Republic of Egypt. I would also like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Zayed Higher Organization, and everyone who contributed to organizing this meeting."
Al Kaabi emphasized UAE's longstanding commitment to individuals with disabilities, regardless of the type of impairment. She highlighted the approach set by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed that people of determination are a vital segment of Emirati society deserving of support, care, and attention. UAE continues to follow this approach, integrating empowerment policies for people of determination as an integral part of the country's national strategies, such as Vision 2021, Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, and Dubai's Strategic Plan 2021.
The Ambassador noted that the UAE's contributions to the care of people of determination are evident across various fields. The country seeks to empower and support them through services and facilities in education, health, employment, and more. She mentioned that the high-level social care received by people of determination is one of the country's notable achievements. Citizens classified as people of determination are entitled to monthly assistance based on Federal Law No. (2) of 2001.
Furthermore, in 2019, UAE Cabinet also adopted a policy to protect people of determination from abuse. The policy aims to empower people of determination, their guardians, and those working with them to address cases of abuse, defend their rights, and detect potential forms of abuse. UAE's support for people of determination extends beyond its borders, with the country launching numerous initiatives and providing substantial material and moral support as part of its foreign humanitarian aid.
On his part, His Excellency Abdullah Abdul Ali Al-Hamidani, the Secretary-General of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, expressed his joy at the achievements of the joint cooperation protocol between the organization and the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports in the "Bridge of Amal Holding " program. The program is supported by ADQ Holding to transfer experience and the program's success to support families of people with determination in various regions of Egypt. This is done through family counseling programs and the development of 68 communication centers in Egyptian villages within a record time of not more than a year and a half, after it was initially planned to be completed in three years. This was made possible thanks to the support and assistance from all Egyptian state agencies.
He expressed thanks to the officials at ADQ Holding for agreeing to sponsor and support the new initiative. In this context, he praised the successful bilateral cooperation between Emirati and Egyptian institutions for the benefit of people with determination. He highlighted the positive results achieved in the Egyptian society through the " Bridge of Amal Holding " project, in line with the wise leadership's directives, emphasizing that the program reflects the bonds of brotherhood between the Egyptian and Emirati peoples. It is also seen as a significant addition to the "Decent Life" initiative and aligns with the Egyptian political leadership's commitment to the welfare of people with determination.
According to the cooperation agreement, there will be rehabilitation and development of 60 centers for people with determination affiliated with the ministry, starting from the next year in 2024. Internet services will be provided to these centers, along with the establishment and financing of a medical caravan that will travel across several Egyptian governorates to provide urgent medical care to people with determination and their families. The goal is to benefit at least 400 individuals, sponsored by ADQ Holding.
The agreement also includes the creation of a joint communication channel between the organization and the ministry. Zayed Higher Organization will supervise and coordinate to facilitate access and program implementation, achieving the desired goals according to the timeline. The Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports will implement the " Bridge of Amal Holding " program and coordinate the medical caravan program. The organization will provide regular monthly reports containing all the implementation details.