In a major milestone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the UAE have signed an agreement with the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), officially stating that Dubai will host the permanent headquarters of the Asian body responsible for the Paralympic Movement in the region.
The agreement, which relates to hosting the headquarters of the committee, was signed in Dubai at the Ministry by Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Human Rights and International Law from the Ministry, and APC President Majid Rashed with the attendance of Abdul Mohsin Fahad Al Dosari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Sports Sector, and Abdullah Hamdan Al Naqbi, Director of the International Law Department of the Ministry.
According to the historic agreement, the permanent headquarters of the committee will be in Dubai. It also states that APC will be recognised as an independent international Non-Government Organisation (NGO) with the status of a diplomatic mission.
Expressing his happiness over the new development, Mr Majid said: It is a big moment for all of us at the APC Family. I would really like to thank the UAE Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their generosity. Establishing the committee’s permanent headquarters in Dubai will strengthen the UAE’s stature in supporting people of determination, while valuing its efforts to enable people of determination to achieve their ambitions.”
He also thanked the UAE National Paralympic Committee, UAE Sports Authority and Dubai Sports Council for hosting the headquarters of APC since the beginning of 2015 until last year when the offices moved to the Dubai Club for the People of Determination.
Meanwhile, Mr. Al Jarman expressed his hope that the agreement will develop sporting activities for people of determination and improve their capabilities, while also supporting the committee’s work to lead and organise major international championships.
The agreement also says that APC will be able to organise and host events, activities and conferences related to the Paralympic Movement. Moreover, APC will get the exemption from all kinds of taxes for its activities within UAE.
In addition, an annual grant will also be received from the Dubai Sports Council.
