Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum on Sunday launched global initiatives to provide humanitarian aid and carry out development projects in 116 countries, the media reported.
Funded with $272.5 million, the 1,400 initiatives will focus on the Arab world, an official statement said. They are aimed at spreading knowledge, combating poverty, empowering communities and innovation for the future, Xinhua news agency reported.
Dubai will not turn its back to the "massive challenges" the Arab world is facing, Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) vice president and prime minister, said at the launch event.
The initiatives will target 130 million people over the coming years.
Around $136 million will address the problem of water shortages in the Middle East and North Africa and other parts of the world.
By supporting 50,000 entrepreneurs with financial injections, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives also aim to create at least 500,000 jobs.