23 April 2012, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) - The UNITAR Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting of UAE Foreign Aid Workshop, is taking place between 22 and 25 April. It was officially opened by H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Aljowaid, Foreign Aid Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE-MOFA).

Attended by 25 representatives of the Ministry, including two Ambassadors, the Workshop - implemented by the UNITAR Hiroshima Office - will examine real world scenarios for the effective implementation of foreign aid programmes, as well as cutting edge approaches to Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting, along with implementation strategies. In addition, the structuring and focus of foreign aid will also be examined, using case studies developed by UNITAR.

The programme seeks to further strengthen the skills of the United Arab Emirates with regard to the prioritization and delivery of foreign aid. Increasing the effectiveness of monitoring, evaluation and reporting throughout the process development and implementation cycle of aid programmes is seen as a means to effectively identify and address needs within both recipient countries and the UAE itself.

The holding of the event in Abu Dhabi - the Capital of the UAE - signifies a further engagement in the region by the Institutes Hiroshima office which, for three years has been bringing participants to the UAE for training. In addition, the Workshop saw Mr. Kotaro Tanaka, Director of the Middle East Division 2 Section of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) participate as an invited speaker, reflecting a deepening relationship between UNITAR and JICA itself.