The Dubai Duty Free Foundation and Dubai Cares signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) renewing its partnership for a further three years. The partnership, which began in 2017 will see Dubai Duty Free continue to support the philanthropic efforts of Dubai Cares’ far-reaching programmes that support the empowerment of children and youth in developing countries through quality education.

As part of the agreement, Dubai Duty Free will donate AED 1.5 million to Dubai Cares for 3 years. This contribution will go towards supporting education programs implemented by Dubai Care’s in developing countries. This will also help the organization to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for children and youth and promote lifelong learning by 2030.

The agreement was signed by Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free and H.E. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares at Dubai Duty Free’s Head Office.

Commenting on the MoU signing, Colm McLoughlin said, 'We are delighted to renew our partnership with Dubai Cares through this MoU. We believe this will further enhance and develop exciting educational programs that will benefit children and young people in underprivileged communities around the world. We are also excited to work closely with Dubai Cares to identify specific initiatives that tie in with our own Foundation’s objectives.'

HE Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and Member of its Board of Directors said: 'It is a true privilege for us at Dubai Cares to renew our partnership with the Dubai Duty Free Foundation. We are grateful to the shoppers and travelers of Dubai Duty Free who continue to make generous donations in support of thousands of children and young people around the world who currently don’t have access to quality education. This commitment truly fosters the spirit of global citizenship among passengers and customers who show empathy that reaches beyond one's immediate surroundings and extends to those who need help in distant places.'

The Dubai Duty Free Foundation, which was established in October 2004 and is under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, has supported a number of Dubai Cares initiatives since 2009.

Over the past thirteen years, Dubai Cares has been working towards providing children and young people in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programs that aim to be integrated, impactful, sustainable and scalable. As a result, the UAE-based global philanthropic organization has to date successfully launched education programs reaching over 20 million beneficiaries in 59 developing countries.

Also present at the MoU signing was Dubai Duty Free’s Ramesh Cidambi, COO, Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President – Corporate Services, Bernard Creed, Senior Vice President – Finance, Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Olympia Pineda, Manager – Corporate Responsibility Department along with Zainab Faraidooni, Deputy Director – Fundraising Department of Dubai Cares.