On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, headed the UAE delegation participating in the fifteenth session of the Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Gambia, which is held under the slogan “Strengthening Unity and solidarity through dialogue for sustainable development.
His Excellency delivered a speech in which he expressed his congratulations to the friendly Republic of The Gambia for its presidency of this session and for the warm reception and hospitality. He also expressed his thanks for all the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during its presidency of the fourteenth session of the Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and to His Excellency the Secretary-General and the General Secretariat of the Organization for the efforts made.
In this regard, His Excellency said, “The UAE believes in the necessity of supporting and preserving security and peace through national awareness that preserves a culture of peace among societies, promoting the values of tolerance and communication, developing the necessary mechanisms to prevent armed conflicts, and promoting preventive diplomacy in light of the conflicts and challenges that threaten the world.” International security and stability.
He added, “Based on our firm support for the central issue of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which is the Palestinian issue and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy and relevant resolutions, the UAE, during its term in the UN Security Council for the years 2022-2023, sought to make all efforts to In this regard, and to also be a principled and practical voice in the turbulent international arena, and worked to promote the values of tolerance and coexistence, championed Arab issues, supported the agenda of women, peace and security, strengthened the Council’s participation in climate, peace and security issues, and established the principle of belief in diplomacy, consensus and building bridges.”
His Excellency continued, “In this context, and immediately after the outbreak of the crisis between the Palestinians and Israelis in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, the UAE began its intensive diplomatic movements at all levels with the aim of stopping the escalation and restoring calm to stop bloodshed and preserve the lives of civilians, stressing the need to give priority to protecting civilians.” And civilian facilities, and ensuring safe corridors for the delivery of urgent humanitarian relief aid.”
He pointed to the efforts of the UAE during its non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and its success in the Council’s adoption of Resolutions 2712 and 2720 for the year 2023, which called for taking concrete steps to increase the flow of humanitarian aid that the Palestinians desperately need, and to protect United Nations employees and humanitarian workers on the ground in Gaza strip.
His Excellency renewed the UAE’s call on the international community to make all efforts without delay to reach an immediate ceasefire to avoid further inflaming the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, and its call to intensify efforts to prevent the expansion of the circle of conflict in the region and the necessity of providing protection for all civilians, preserving their lives, and providing a humanitarian response. Intensive, safe and sustainable for the brotherly Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, ensuring the urgent, intensive and safe delivery of humanitarian, relief and medical aid without any obstacles, and preventing further loss of life.
He stressed the UAE’s strong condemnation of any forced deportation of the brotherly Palestinian people, and any practices that violate international legitimacy resolutions and international and humanitarian law, explaining the UAE’s position calling for creating a path to bring peace and consolidate security and stability in the region, which requires cooperation from all active parties in the international community to end Extremism, tension and violence, and finding a serious and constructive political horizon for renegotiating with the aim of achieving comprehensive peace based on the “two-state solution” and establishing an independent Palestinian state.
His Excellency stressed that the UAE has spared no effort in standing by the brotherly Palestinian people and providing all forms of humanitarian support. It also took the initiative to launch the sea corridor from Cyprus to the areas of northern Gaza through the “Amalthea Initiative” and in cooperation with Cyprus and the World Central Kitchen Foundation, and was able to move two ships that carried Hundreds of tons of food. It also launched Operation “Gallant Knight 3” and operated an air bridge that continues to deliver relief and medical aid, reaching more than 256 flights, 1,231 trucks, and 6 ships that transported about 31,000 tons of urgent humanitarian supplies.
His Excellency also reviewed the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with the American Agency for Assistance for Refugees in the Near East (ANERA), and its announcement of success in delivering 400 tons of food aid to the brotherly people of Gaza, allocated to the northern Gaza Strip, which will provide food for about 120,000 people, within the framework of its commitment. The UAE is consistent in providing relief and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
His Excellency referred to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” to treat 1,000 children from the Gaza Strip in hospitals in the UAE, until they recover and return, and to host 1,000 Palestinians suffering from cancer from the Gaza Strip from different age groups. To receive treatments. In the same regard, the UAE opened a comprehensive field hospital in the southern Gaza Strip under the supervision of an Emirati medical team, in addition to a floating hospital in the Egyptian city of Al-Arish.
As part of supporting the Palestinian people to face the difficult humanitarian repercussions, the UAE has established six water desalination plants to supply the residents of the Gaza Strip with clean drinking water, providing 1.2 million gallons of water per day.
His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan added, “The UAE has been keen to consolidate its position as an effective country in implementing sustainable development goals through joint work with all countries of the world in a way that benefits peoples and societies, with the aim of achieving development goals and creating a better future for all.”
His Excellency spoke about the UAE’s successful hosting of the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), which was held in Expo City Dubai. His Excellency extended his thanks and appreciation to all countries for their participation in the conference, and for their effective role and contributions that led to the success of the conference’s work and its culmination in the historic “UAE Agreement” document on climate, noting that it is an unprecedented declaration to address the repercussions of climate change, and constitutes an exceptional turning point in the process of work. International climate.
His Excellency referred to the important announcements and initiatives that were issued by the conference, most notably the announcement of the establishment of a fund worth US$30 billion for climate solutions worldwide to bridge the climate financing gap, the UAE’s announcement to develop financing mechanisms and accelerate global climate action, and the approval of activating the Global Climate Fund with a contribution exceeding 550 million. US dollars, stressing
that these joint efforts aim to provide an effective response to the repercussions of climate change and achieve sustainable development, as the opportunities provided by the agreed-upon solutions in climate action should be available to all countries and economies, developed and developing alike.
He said, “The UAE has embarked on an ambitious journey towards sustainability and renewable energy. It was the first country in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Climate Agreement, the first country to commit to reducing emissions at the economic level, and the first country in the region to announce a strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.” .
In this context, His Excellency pointed out the launch by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, of the “Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative” to confront the urgent global challenge of water scarcity, which aims to enhance awareness of the importance of the water scarcity crisis. And its seriousness at the international level, in addition to accelerating the development of innovative technological solutions to address it, in addition to testing the effectiveness of these solutions to confront this worsening global challenge, to enhance cooperation with partners and concerned parties in the world.
His Excellency said, “The UAE believes that multilateral action is necessary to confront the challenges of the changing Islamic world, and that effective platforms such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation work as one voice at the international level and promote constructive dialogue.”
He added, “In this regard, the United Arab Emirates continually supports peace, security and development globally by expanding trade flows, encouraging investment and tourism, enhancing scientific and technological exchanges, exchanging experts, cooperating in development programs and projects, and increasing coordination of efforts in confronting natural disasters.”
His Excellency explained that within the framework of the unlimited support provided by the leadership and government of the United Arab Emirates to young people around the world, Africa in particular has a priority, as people under the age of twenty-five constitute more than 60% of the population. Considering that the future of the continent depends on quality health and educational services and learning the skills that young people receive, the UAE announced the provision of a new financial grant in the field of health in the amount of 220 million US dollars, with the aim of improving the health conditions of young people and supporting the health sector in Africa. Investing in youth will unleash the potential of millions on the African continent and guarantee them a prosperous future.
He stressed that “the United Arab Emirates is looking forward to the Future Summit in September 2024 in New York and is counting a lot on this historic gathering, which is an opportunity that occurs only once in a generation, to support the multilateral system and recommit to global solidarity, in search of innovative solutions to our common challenges and to strengthen Using new technologies. The UAE will work constructively with our partners to ensure meaningful and ambitious outcomes for the future summit.”
His Excellency concluded his speech by saying, “We would like to express our support for the efforts of His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, during his friendly country’s presidency of the work of this session, and we are confident that you will spare no effort in achieving our desired goal, wishing the work of this session success.”
On the sidelines of the fifteenth session of the Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Gambia, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met in bilateral meetings with His Excellency Mohamed Ould Sheikh Al-Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, His Excellency Basserou Diomay Fay, President of the Republic of Senegal, and His Excellency Mamadou Tangra, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Republic of The Gambia, where a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mali, His Excellency Bakary Yao Sangari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Niger, and His Excellency Regis Onanga Ndiaye, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Gabon.
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