As Minister of International Cooperation and Development, Sheikha Qasimi has led the United Arab Emirates into an unprecedented amount of philanthropy. The oil-rich country contributed $5.4 billion to foreign nations in 2013, a steep climb from the $1.6 billion donated in 2012, giving more than any other nation at a rate of 1.3 percent of the country's income. The UAE, a country with a GDP of $402 billion, committed last year to give $12 million for Syrian children and refugees. Qasimi has also contributed to charities in her own time, volunteering with Friends of Cancer Patients Society and serving on the Board of Directors for the Dubai Autism Center. In 2004, Qasimi became the first woman in the country's history to assume a cabinet position when she was appointed as Minister of Foreign Trade.

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