Illustrative image

The UAE is undertaking development projects to improve the lives of 1.3 million families worldwide.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) showcased several of its development projects and their contribution to improving the lives of more than 1.3 million families in various developing countries around the world. This reflects ADFD's ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable social and economic development and empowering communities through strategic investments with tangible impact.

ADFD's development activities extend across various continents, including Asia and Africa, where it achieves a wide-ranging impact through investments that enhance infrastructure, expand access to essential services, and provide long-term economic opportunities for communities.

This coincides with the International Day of Families and the UAE's Year of the Family 2026, which focuses on strengthening family cohesion and building inclusive and resilient societies as the foundation for sustainable development. This reflects the wise leadership's vision of the family as the cornerstone of stable and prosperous societies.

ADFD emphasized that sustainable development is fundamentally measured by its ability to improve the lives of individuals and deliver long-term social and economic value to families and communities. Its financing areas include vital sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, water, healthcare, agriculture, advanced technologies, housing, and community development, contributing to expanding opportunities, enhancing resilience, and improving the quality of life in developing countries.

His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, said: “On the International Day of Families, we remember the pivotal role of the family as the cornerstone of building stable, prosperous, and resilient societies. At the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, we view financing sustainable development as an investment in people, as every project we support ultimately aims to improve quality of life and empower communities to thrive.”

He added: “Our commitment extends beyond developing infrastructure or providing financing; it encompasses enabling opportunities, enhancing resilience, and ensuring development outcomes that directly benefit the family, which remains the foundation of every society. When families have access to energy, healthcare, education, transportation, and economic opportunities, communities become more resilient, and nations become more prosperous.”

In addition to supporting economic growth, the Fund’s projects continue to deliver a tangible humanitarian impact by empowering women, supporting children’s access to education and essential services, and helping families build more stable and sustainable livelihoods. Through improved healthcare, clean energy and water, enhanced connectivity, and expanded economic opportunities, the Fund’s initiatives contribute to building more inclusive and resilient societies for current and future generations.

The results are evident across the Fund’s global projects. In Laos, the Southern National Highway 13 Improvement Project is enhancing logistics connectivity, expanding access to markets and essential services, and supporting agricultural production and trade flows. The project is expected to benefit more than 48,000 households annually, positively impacting over 255,000 people and supporting broader economic development opportunities.

In Togo, the expansion of the Mohamed bin Zayed Solar Park has helped provide access to clean and reliable energy for approximately 158,000 households, enhancing energy security and supporting sustainable growth. Renewable energy projects supported by the Fund in Liberia, Niger, and Togo have improved access to electricity for approximately 750,000 households, enhancing resilience and improving quality of life.

Meanwhile, projects underway in the Union of the Comoros, as part of the "Mother of the Nation" development initiatives, continue to reach over 360,000 beneficiaries, focusing on agriculture, food security, and community empowerment.

As global development priorities evolve, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development remains committed to financing projects that place people, families, and community resilience at the heart of sustainable social and economic development.