Badr Jafar named UAE special envoy for business and philanthropy

In a move to boost global cooperation and sustainable development, the UAE has appointed Badr Jafar as Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy.

The announcement was made by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as part of the country’s broader efforts to strengthen ties between government, business and philanthropy.

Jafar’s new role aims to enhance the UAE’s engagement with global business and philanthropic communities, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, investment and social progress.

Speaking on his appointment, Jafar said he is deeply honoured and emphasized the need for bold, collective action to tackle global challenges.

This appointment aligns with the UAE’s strategic visions, including ‘We the UAE 2031’ and ‘Centennial 2071’, as the country continues to position itself as a global hub for sustainable finance and economic diplomacy.

The UAE’s non-oil sectors grew by 4.5 per cent in the first nine months of 2024, accounting for nearly 75 per cent of the nation's real GDP — a reflection of its thriving private sector and diversified economy.

And with a top-10 global ranking in the World Giving Index in 2024, the UAE continues to demonstrate leadership in both economic and philanthropic impact.

Strategic objectives of the Special Envoy:

• CONNECTING: Facilitating engagement and coordination between the private sector and government entities in the UAE, and with the private sector internationally.
• MOBILISING: Enabling business and philanthropy stakeholders to support the UAE’s diplomatic and strategic objectives.
• ADVOCATING: Promoting common understanding of the importance of public, private and philanthropic coordination and collaboration and the opportunities that exist to put it into practice.