Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar leads UAE delegation to 49th…

Nouakchott, 17th March, 2023 (WAM) — Khalifa Shaheen Al Marah, Minister of State, led the UAE delegation to the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Nouakchott, Mauritania 49th session.

The theme of the conference is “Centrism and Moderation: Valves for Safety and Stability”.

Al Marar delivered the UAE’s speech ahead of the meeting, which was opened by the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

Al Marar thanked the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for hosting the meeting and its warm reception and hospitality, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its efforts during its presidency of the 48th session.

Al Marar expressed the UAE’s solidarity with the recent earthquakes that devastated the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Turkey.
He emphasized the UAE’s humanitarian role and responsibility in the immediate response to disasters and human tragedies, noting that the country launched Operation Gallant Knight/2, in which the UAE built an air bridge to transport search and rescue teams, rescue Supplies, shelter items, medicine, treatment and field hospitals.

He added: “As of March 15, the number of flights as part of Operation Valiant Rider/2 has reached 236, with an additional 13 from Dubai International Humanitarian City.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan allocated US$150 million to support those affected, while Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al His Highness Maktoum donated Dh50 million.

The UAE has also launched the “Bridge of Kindness” campaign to solicit monetary and in-kind donations. The ongoing campaign has raised AED 180 million to date, of which AED 50 million has come from Sheikha Fatima Bint al-Bind, Chairperson of the General Women’s Union, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation. His Highness Mubarak”

He stressed that the UAE supports all regional and international efforts to advance the Middle East peace process based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions and Arab peace initiative.

He appreciated the role played by the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in that regard.

He emphasized the need to uphold the principles and rules of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, international legality and multilateral action, respect the principle of peaceful settlement of international disputes, and respect the sovereignty and independence of states and non-states. – Interference in their internal affairs, and the importance of diplomacy as the only way to resolve crises and support dialogue and negotiation.

In response, he said that the UAE welcomes the agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He also expressed appreciation for the role played by the People’s Republic of China and the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Iraq to take this important step, which will help strengthen security, stability and prosperity in the region.

He also praised the success of COP27, hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt last November, stating that the UAE is looking forward to hosting COP28 in Dubai Expo City in November 2023. The event will be an inclusive meeting of all stakeholders, including government, private sector, youth and civil society organizations, to address climate action and energy transition.

He invited all member states to participate in COP28 to ensure a stable and prosperous future for all countries and to overcome existing climate and environmental challenges.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Saif Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the country’s representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Yaqoub Al Hosani, Assistant Minister for International Organization Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Hamad Ghanem Al Mheiri, UAE Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.