UAE elected to WFP Executive Board for 2026–2028 term

April 16, 2026 / 8:44 PM

Sharjah 24 – WAM: The United Arab Emirates has been elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the 2026–2028 term, strengthening its role in global humanitarian decision-making at a time of rising food security challenges and geopolitical disruptions affecting supply chains.

Strengthened role in global humanitarian system

The election reflects the UAE’s growing position as a strategic partner in the international humanitarian ecosystem, moving beyond its role as a major donor to contributing directly to shaping global food assistance policies and operations.

Dubai as a global humanitarian logistics hub

Dubai hosts the United Nations’ largest humanitarian logistics hub, located near Jebel Ali Port, enabling rapid distribution and rerouting of aid worldwide. The UAE has also developed alternative land and air corridors that were heavily used during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver supplies to more than 100 countries.

Support for global aid delivery networks

The UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai continues to facilitate land, sea, and air routes to ensure the delivery of life-saving assistance, even amid disruptions affecting global supply chains and delays in aid movement across regions.

Commitment to resilient food systems

Officials said the UAE’s membership on the WFP Executive Board reinforces its vision of a world free from hunger and supports efforts to build resilient food systems by linking humanitarian response with sustainable development and logistical innovation.

Focus on maritime security and global stability

The election comes amid concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil, gas, and fertilisers. The UAE warned that disruptions in the corridor could significantly worsen global hunger and economic instability, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation.

UAE calls for protection of global supply chains

The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral cooperation to ensure safe maritime passage and uninterrupted food and energy flows, describing threats to shipping routes as harmful to global stability and humanitarian access.

Continued global humanitarian and development roles

Alongside its WFP role, the UAE has also been re-elected to the Executive Board of UN Women for 2026–2028 and elected to the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations for 2027–2030, reflecting its broader international engagement.