SHAKHBOOT NAHYAN AL NAHYAN, Minister of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.  “We must act wisely in response to the rapid developments threatening our region,” he stressed.  On Sudan, he said the warring parties must stop the fighting immediately and permanently and allow sustainable access to humanitarian assistance.  On Ukraine, he said, it is imperative to find a peaceful solution to end this conflict, which has increased global polarization, created refugees and affected global food security.  “We continue to push for dialogue and de-escalation,” he added. Furthermore, he reiterated full support of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara region.

The United Arab Emirates is committed to helping to evacuate the wounded and sick and their families from Gaza, most of whom are children and cancer patients who receive treatment in the United Arab Emirates. He also urged the international community to take concrete steps towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-State solution. The State of Palestine, like every other nation, has fulfilled the requirements for full membership in this Organization.

He urged the need to reform the Security Council through a comprehensive effort, adding that this would restore the organ’s credibility and fulfil its mandate of maintaining international peace and security.  “The deadliest wars in history did not break out overnight,” he went on to say, stressing the need to uphold the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.  It is essential to coordinate regional and international efforts to “extinguish the sparks of conflict before they even start”.  He also pledged the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to fighting climate change and harnessing the potential opportunities provided by advanced technologies.