Features

The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development A Long-Time Supporter of AUB

by MainGate Staff

Fall 2021

The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) was established in 1974 to provide financial support for economic and social development projects in the Arab world. Based in Kuwait, it has supported hundreds of initiatives in 17 countries. AFESD has been an especially good friend of AUB—and of the people of Lebanon.

Under the leadership of Abdlatif Y. Al-Hamad, who was AFESD director general until fall 2020, and current director Bader M. Alsaad, AFESD has provided critical funding dating back to 2011 for the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program, the first targeted initiative in the Arab world that seeks to educate, research, and champion issues related to professionalism, medical humanism, and bioethics. It has also funded critical capital projects at the AUB Medical Center such as the Next Generation Sequencing Systems and, most recently, a cardiac catheterization lab; scholarships for Syrian students; and needy patients seeking care at the medical center.

“Since it was established in 1974, the Arab Fund has advanced economic and social development in the region enormously,” commented AUB President Fadlo Khuri. “It has had an impact not just in the specific areas that it has targeted but also in encouraging greater cooperation among member countries. We at AUB share the Arab Fund’s focus on issues that are critical in the region: healthcare, education, clean drinking water, rural development, and social welfare.”

One of the other ways that AFESD has an impact is that it responds quickly when there is an emergency, as it did in the immediate aftermath of the August 4, 2020, explosion in the Beirut port, making a generous donation to AUB to assist people injured by the explosion, for supplies and medications, and for repairs at the medical center. It also supported the Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, which was badly damaged by the explosion.

“The Arab Fund is truly a partner,” explained Associate Vice President for Development Walid Katergi. “We work together extremely well in support of the priorities that our institutions share. The support that AUB receives from AFESD is especially critical today when Lebanon and our university are facing such unprecedented challenges. We look forward to continuing to build and expand our relationship for many years to come.”