A delegation from the United Arab Emirates has launched a F$94.5million (US$50m) partnership program aimed at financing development projects in the region.

According to a report by Fiji Times Online, the UAE launched the partnership program following a five-day visit of a high-powered delegation earlier in the month.

The UAE Partnership in the Pacific Program policy paper revealed the funding would target critical areas such as education, social and health care services, and infrastructure and energy.

The nine-member delegation led by UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Zayed visited Fiji on February 11, with similar courtesy visits to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Palau and Tonga.

The paper stated the UAE's focus was in response to the critical needs of Pacific countries on the frontline of the battle against climate change.