Dubai has been confirmed as the permanent host of the Asian Paralympic Committee's headquarters ©APC

Dubai has been confirmed as the permanent host of the Asian Paralympic Committee's (APC) headquarters.

Considered to mark a major milestone, the announcement comes following the signing of an agreement between the APC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates.  

The agreement was signed at the Ministry in Dubai by Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Human Rights and International Law, and APC President Majid Rashed.

Among those in attendance at the signing ceremony were Abdul Mohsin Fahad Al Dosari, assistant secretary general for the sports sector, and Abdullah Hamdan Al Naqbi, director of the Ministry's international law department.

"It is a big moment for all of us at the APC family," Rashed said.

"I would really like to thank the UAE Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their generosity.

"Establishing the Committee’s permanent headquarters in Dubai will strengthen the UAE’s stature in supporting people of determination, while valuing its efforts to enable people of determination to achieve their ambitions."

The agreement was signed by APC President Majid Rashed, left, and Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Human Rights and International Law from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ©APC
The agreement was signed by APC President Majid Rashed, left, and Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Human Rights and International Law from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ©APC

The agreement states that the APC will be recognised as an independent international Non-Governmental Organisation with the status of a diplomatic mission.

It also means that the APC will be able to organise and host events, activities and conferences related to the Paralympic Movement, and will get the exemption from all kinds of taxes for its activities within the UAE.

Additionally, an annual grant will also be received from the Dubai Sports Council.

Al Jarman expressed his hope that the agreement will develop sporting activities for people of determination and improve their capabilities, while also supporting the APC’s work to lead and organise major international championships.

Rashed, meanwhile, thanked the UAE National Paralympic Committee, UAE Sports Authority and Dubai Sports Council for hosting the headquarters of APC since the beginning of 2015 until last year when the offices moved to the Dubai Club for People of Determination.

The 42-year-old, who is from the UAE, was unanimously re-elected as President of the APC during the continental governing body's fifth General Assembly in Dubai last month. 

He was elected after standing unopposed for a second term.