UAE Delegation Concludes Participation in the 78th UN General Assembly High-Level Week
The United Arab Emirates delegation, led by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has wrapped up its engagement in the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement before the United Nations General Assembly's general debate, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, underscored the nation's approach to addressing critical global challenges, whether they be armed conflicts, climate disasters, extremism, racism, or hate speech. Her Excellency also announced the release of a "discussion document" by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the urgent threat of a global water shortage.
Regarding this matter, Her Excellency Al Hashemi emphasized the UAE's capability to confront these challenges more than ever and stressed the need for "a serious political will, determined to address existential challenges and anticipate the future."
Her Excellency added, "The effectiveness of international organizations, especially the UN, must be strengthened for its vital role in building bridges, easing tensions, and seeking peaceful solutions. Our choice is peace, our path to development, and our destination is a peaceful future."
The UAE's statement follows its active participation during the high-level week.
In this context, Her Excellency Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, stated, "Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates' delegation to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly focused on a range of global issues during 'The challenging period faced by the multilateral system.'"
Her Excellency Nusseibeh added, "As an elected member of the Security Council and president of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), we worked with member states to address threats to international peace and security and motivate states to take concrete actions against climate change, and to address the root causes of extremism, during a productive session of the United Nations General Assembly."
Throughout the high-level week, the United Arab Emirates delegation worked on strengthening its relations with regional and international organizations. Its members also met with high-level officials from other countries to enhance cooperation efforts to address the agenda of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which includes climate change, public health and pandemic preparedness, extremism prevention, combating threats posed by terrorist groups, empowering women and girls, and improving overall economic and social development, getting back on track and committing to achieving sustainable development goals.
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the presidency of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) held consultations with various political and economic leaders to present an ambitious climate summit, which will take place in Dubai's Expo City next November.
The conference presidency included key partners in the Conference of the Parties (COP28) plan, which is built on four main pillars to address the climate crisis: accelerating the achievement of a logical, practical, and fair energy sector transition, developing climate finance mechanisms, focusing on adaptation efforts to enhance livelihoods and living conditions, and ensuring global containment.
Key announcements from the past week included the United Arab Emirates' intention to invest $4 billion in preserving and developing mangrove ecosystems by 2030, with the goal of restoring and protecting 15 million hectares of mangroves worldwide.
Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates delegation sought to consolidate international cooperation and harmonization in the field of artificial intelligence, harnessing innovation and new technologies to maintain peace and improve responses to humanitarian crises. The country also renewed its call for global solidarity with Afghan women and girls and reaffirmed its strong support to help them reclaim their rights.
Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emphasized the challenging conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory and stressed the need to explore ways to improve international cooperation and coordination to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
In the high-level meetings, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in a tripartite meeting on the Yemeni situation with His Excellency Anthony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, and His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Her Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to His Highness the President, participated in ministerial-level meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council with Her Excellency Blinken and Her Excellency James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom.
For their part, Her Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, participated in the "Quartet" meeting concerning the situation in Sudan, alongside representatives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Also, Her Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State, participated in the launch of the "I2U2" partnership projects with India, Israel, and the United States.
The United Arab Emirates delegation also took part in meetings related to increasing development funding, epidemic prevention, preparedness and response, universal health coverage, tuberculosis combat, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.