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UAE: CEO Farhad Azizi, single largest contributor, to ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ gave Dh100 million; vows to give more to future initiatives

by Pushpanjali Nayak

April 15, 2023 5

Real estate developer Azizi Developments has announced a donation of Dh50 million to the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign launched by the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This is in addition to the Dh50 million that Azizi had already pledged to the campaign, bringing their total commitment to Dh100 million. CEO Farhad Azizi stated that the company had participated in the campaign last year, and would continue to participate in the future. He also called on individuals and businesses to contribute to the campaign, which aims to establish the largest sustainable food aid fund.

In an interview, Azizi noted that global hunger is a major issue, with an estimated 800 million people around the world not having enough food to eat on a daily basis. He stated that the campaign would create a sustainable framework to help those in need around the world, and emphasized the importance of each and every one of us contributing to secure a brighter future in which all of humanity has access to vital, healthy nutrition.

He said: “We have been involved in so many initiatives, including sporting activities, women empowerment, medical support, scholarships grants, and more. We have been supporting in the last 6-7 years the Rashid Centre for People of Determination and Dubai Autism Centre. We have built hospitals in Afghanistan for cancer patients as well as dialysis centres and orphanages. We also have scholarships for students to go to various colleges and universities.”

Azizi added that their large contribution to the UAE’s food campaign was a natural result of the good fortune they have received. “As a company and a family, we always believe in giving back. The country has given us so much and it is only natural to give back,” he said.

Azizi Developments is a leading real estate developer based in Dubai, with approximately 100 ongoing projects that are to be delivered this year, and more projects in the pipeline, including building the second tallest tower in the UAE after Burj Khalifa. Last year, the company sold a total of over 6,000 units, amounting to Dh5.6 billion.

Azizi reiterated that their commitment to charity work was not limited to donations alone. “As a real estate developer, we think and execute how to make communities more beautiful. We create more jobs and give our staff a better work environment. The company is doing well and yet we are still finding ways to make things better,” he said.

He also explained that the latest contribution to the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign is just one of the several endowments under their CSR (corporate social responsibility) portfolio. The company has been involved in several initiatives over the years, including sporting activities, women empowerment, medical support, scholarships grants, and more. They have been supporting the Rashid Centre for People of Determination and Dubai Autism Centre for the last 6-7 years, and have built hospitals in Afghanistan for cancer patients as well as dialysis centres and orphanages. They also have scholarships for students to go to various colleges and universities.

Azizi added that the purpose of announcing their contribution was to motivate others to participate in charity work. “That’s why for the last three years, we have been vocal about it (CSR). We’ve been making videos and putting them out on social media. We’ve been talking to friends, families and other businesses so they can copy a good thing,” he said.

In conclusion, Azizi emphasized that giving back was important for the company and the family, and that it was their way of thanking the country and the leaders for all that they have received. He called on individuals and businesses to give in whatever capacity they can, stating that the bottom line is to give, and give more.