Dubai the Charity City: ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment' Tower

by Sophie She

Dubai the Charity City: ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment' Tower

13 Mar 2024

Dubai has proclaimed itself as a Goodwill Ambassador of the region with a new impressive architectural project. Striding towards eradicating global hunger, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recently examined plans for the "1 Billion Meals Endowment" tower.

This ambitious project, anticipated to become the tallest endowment structure on Sheikh Zayed Road, comes with a hefty price tag of Dh800 million.

Twitter: @HHShkMohd

Battling the world’s hunger

To give you some context, the tower is a central element of the "1 Billion Meals Endowment" initiative, which aims to strengthen endowment assets and generate substantial returns. The main goal is to establish a strong safety net for tens of millions of people worldwide, reinforcing the UAE's dedication to global humanitarian work.

During the meeting with the "1 Billion Meals Endowment Board of Trustees", Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the lasting impact of the initiative. He expressed his vision for the UAE's humanitarian work to resonate for centuries, highlighting the project as a key step in growing endowment assets to protect vulnerable populations from the perils of hunger.

He further emphasised the need for a sustainable humanitarian model derived from the UAE's economic development to ensure the longevity of their efforts.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and Chairman of the "1 Billion Meals Endowment Board of Trustees", underscored the tower's significance of Sheikh Mohammed's vision for sustainable humanitarian projects. The establishment of premium real estate endowments aligns seamlessly with MBRGI's mission to institutionalise humanitarian, aid, and social efforts, directing returns towards a global food safety network.

Twitter: @HHShkMohd

The Building

Developed by Wasl Properties, the tower will alter Dubai's landscape. A thorough study by the Board of Trustees scrutinised potential investment risks, ensuring compliance with endowment laws and relevant regulations.

Looking at the design, you can notice the similarity between the external outlines of the building and a honeycomb, giving it a warm context of bee-like mutual assistance people strive for. Coloured with a warm honey-like shade, the tower will enrich the skyline with its constructivist yet modern lines. You event get some kind of art deco feeling with all these bee comparisons, don’t you?

Hisham Al Qassim, CEO of Wasl Asset Management Group, commended the tower as a n essential addition to UAE's charitable endeavours, reinforcing the success of prior initiatives.

The tower, constructed according to the highest international standards, aims to make substantial contributions to the "1 Billion Meals Endowment" objectives, supporting vulnerable populations and meeting their nutritional needs.

The timeline

While the construction timeline remains undisclosed, the '1 Billion Meals Endowment' tower signifies the UAE's unwavering commitment to addressing global hunger through a blend of traditional and social investment models. Launched in Ramadan 2023, the initiative has already raised Dh1.075 billion, solidifying the UAE's role in the global fight against hunger.

by Sophie She