Geneva: The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) took part in the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review, a meeting organised in Geneva, Switzerland, from 15th to 17th December 2025, by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with participation from the Swiss Government.
According to Emirates News Agency, Saeed Al Eter, Chief Executive Officer of MBRGI, emphasized the need for unified international action to aid refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide in his opening remarks. He praised the vital contributions of the UNHCR, its partner UN agencies, and the broader network of charitable and humanitarian institutions addressing the complex challenges arising from forced displacement.
Al Eter stated, "We are confronting a multifaceted and escalating crisis. It has become evident that our current strategies, as vital as they are, will prove insufficient on their own to confront the magnitude of this growing challenge. It is therefore imperative that we embrace new, creative approaches to developing innovative and scalable solutions." He further highlighted the importance of public awareness as a catalyst for transformation, mobilizing resources and compelling action from governments and citizens.
Al Eter reiterated MBRGI's commitment to supporting humanitarian action worldwide and strengthening cooperation with UN organizations. "MBRGI affirms its commitment to enhancing our partnership with the UNHCR and with the international private sector, to develop innovative and effective solutions that create a tangible impact in addressing the refugee crisis," he added.
The partnership between MBRGI and the UNHCR began in 2021, with MBRGI being a key contributor to funding the UNHCR's programs. By the end of 2024, MBRGI had provided AED136 million (approximately US$39.5 million), benefiting over 750,000 refugees, displaced persons, and host communities across Asia and Africa. In January 2025, MBRGI pledged around AED36.7 million ($10 million) to support sustainable programs for displaced communities through the UNHCR, bringing total pledges to approximately AED173 million (around $47 million) since 2021. Overall, MBRGI has provided AED464.5 million to various international organizations since 2021.
The MBRGI delegation, led by Saeed Al Attar, held a series of high-level meetings in Geneva with senior officials from UNHCR, the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Euroclear Group, the Tent Partnership for Refugees, and the Grundfos Group. Discussions focused on strengthening joint cooperation to aid refugees and forcibly displaced populations, with objectives such as enhancing coordination, easing burdens on host communities, and securing necessary funding for refugee needs worldwide.
During the meetings, the MBRGI delegation showcased their extensive efforts and strategic vision for future partnerships with UN organizations, reaffirming their focus on supporting vulnerable communities, especially those in countries hosting significant refugee populations.
The Global Refugee Forum, the world's largest gathering on refugee issues, first held in 2019, convenes UN Member States with stakeholders including international and local organizations, civil society, financial institutions, academia, and the private sector. Held every four years, the Forum provides a platform for announcing new pledges, sharing expertise, and inspiring further action on responsibility-sharing and integrated responses.
MBRGI, the region's largest foundation of its kind, spent over AED2.2 billion, benefiting approximately 149 million people in 118 countries in 2024. These efforts fall under five main pillars: Humanitarian Aid and Relief, Healthcare and Disease Control, Spreading Education and Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Empowering Communities. Within the Humanitarian Aid and Relief pillar, MBRGI's spending surpassed AED944 million, reaching over 37 million people worldwide.
Launched in 2015, MBRGI consolidates over 30 initiatives and institutions, aiming to tackle pressing global challenges and invest in human capital to empower vulnerable communities by spreading education, combating poverty and disease, and promoting tolerance.