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Dubai: Dr Rima Khalaf Hunaidi, former UN assistant secretary-general has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
She was the driving force behind the induction of the Arab Human Development Report and earlier the Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab states.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation, said "Dr Hunaidi has had one of the most distinguished careers, in addition to being an expert in the field of Arab human development.
"With her wealth of experience, in-depth knowledge and understanding of the key requirements for the region's knowledge creation and distribution, she will add immeasurable value to the foundation.
"We are confident her insight and capabilities will also add enormous value to the Foundation's mission in enhancing the Arab region's knowledge potential."
On her behalf, Dr Hunaidi said, "The Foundation has set new trends in the region by promoting knowledge as a principal prerequisite for development. This principal is close to my heart and I will spare no effort in putting the Foundation's projects and programmes into effective action."
Since its debut in 2002, the Arab Human Development report has been recognised as the first documented initiative to monitor the status of development in the Arab world.
The report has highlighted the need to enhance the Arab world's knowledge capabilities while urging the countries to initiate more efforts in improving educational standards.
Poverty alleviation
Prior to joining the UN in 2000, Dr Hunaidi held a number of senior government posts in her native Jordan, including Minister of Industry and Trade (1993-1995), Minister of Planning (1995-1998), and Deputy Prime Minister (1999-2000).
During her tenure as head of Jordan's ministerial economic team, she was successful in pushing forward the drive for economic reform, while simultaneously spearheading the effort for poverty alleviation and strengthening the social safety net.
Dr Hunaidi has a Bachelor's degree from the American University of Beirut in Economics, and a Master's from Portland State University [Economics] as well as a PhD in System Science.
She holds the Order of The Star of Jordan, bestowed upon her in 1995 by the late King Hussain.
Aims of the foundation
The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has been launched with an endowment of over Dh30 billion. It aims to develop the knowledge and human capabilities of the Arab world for the creation of a future generation of leaders in the region.
Its multi-pronged initiatives will vary from funding research institutions and youth leadership programmes to providing scholarships and research grants.
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