YouSaid · the spoken record

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

lines on the record: 164
first: 2007-09-24
most recent: 2018-09-24
sittings or episodes: 10
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I would like to emphasize that the vision of the United Arab Emirates for the region is based on the values upon which our country was founded, the positive outcomes already achieved by my country at the national level, and our regional experiences in the region side by side with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with whom we share an optimistic vision and hope for achieving a brighter future for our region and for all peoples.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The United Arab Emirates reiterates its demand for its legitimate right to sovereignty over its three islands — Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, which Iran has occupied for 47 years, in flagrant violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. We call once again upon Iran from this rostrum to respond to our repeated calls and return our rights to where they belong, either voluntarily or through the available peaceful means for resolving international disputes, at the top of which are direct negotiations or referral to the International Court of Justice or international arbitration.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I would like to underscore the vital role of the United Nations in supporting political processes, strengthening dialogue and building confidence among Governments so as to maintain international peace and security, especially given the worrying uncertainty that currently defines the international order. The United Arab Emirates views the historic agreement reached between Ethiopia and Eritrea, under the auspices of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as significant motivation for the international community to strengthen its diplomatic efforts. In addition, the international community must take a firm and consistent stance towards States that have hostile policies and violate international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I would like to emphasize that empowering women and youth and investing in their unlimited skills contribute to building resilient and cohesive societies and, eventually, stable and safe countries. Today, our Arab region is in dire need of a comprehensive regional transformation that will bring it out of chaos and into stability, and out of isolation and unilateralism into openness and planning for the future. We are cognizant that achieving that transformation will not be easy and that our efforts will succeed only by intensifying collective action. Most importantly, each State must fulfil its responsibilities to reach that goal.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The international community has to support peaceful and inclusive communities, including through the protection of minorities and the prevention of atrocities committed against them, such as the crimes committed against the Yazidis and the Rohingya. My country is also playing a vital role in promoting humanitarian and relief assistance to areas affected by conflicts and disasters around the world. The United Arab Emirates aspires to transform the whole region into a global centre for technology, culture and innovation after decades of crises. My country focuses on anticipating challenges and on investing in advanced fields, such as artificial intelligence, space technology and renewable energy.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The successful experience of the United Arab Emirates has led us to believe that wise leadership, the determination to achieve prosperity and a forward- looking approach are key to building nations and protecting them. My country’s foreign policy therefore includes developmental, humanitarian and cultural dimensions in order to support the needs of the people and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. At the core of the development dimension is the strengthening of economic opportunities and the empowerment of women and youth in countries affected by conflict. We believe that rebuilding Iraq is a prime example of the importance of uniting efforts to help countries recovering from conflict.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The third challenge is posed by the prolonged crises in the region, which are merely managed in the absence of political solutions. In that regard, the United Arab Emirates will persist in supporting the existing political initiatives, including by working with all United Nations envoys. In that connection, the Palestinian question continues to wait for the international community to reach a comprehensive, lasting and just solution to end the suffering of our Palestinian brothers. We must underscore that this continued humanitarian tragedy is being exploited by extremist groups and rogue States. Lastly, we believe that the deterioration in the economic, social and humanitarian conditions in the parts of our region is one of the main challenges we face.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“That alliance is based on principles that transcend the paradigm of religious arguments and conflicts. It is based on a paradigm of mutual recognition and cooperation, guided by international covenants and the spirit of our noble values and common virtues. We stress that our values, which reject both extremism and terrorism, are steadfast and unchanging. We emphasize that our policies to counter and combat the supporters of extremism, violence and hatred make no distinction between a group and a State. To that end, the United Arab Emirates, along with its brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Bahrain, has taken sovereign measures against Qatar. Those measures are pivotal and decisive in confronting extremism and terrorism, and are considered imperative to achieving a secure region.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The United Arab Emirates has therefore been at the forefront of States combating extremism and terrorism in both the ideological and the security realms. In addition, my country has supported international forces such as the Group of Five for the Sahel joint force as part of our efforts to eliminate extremism and terrorism wherever it exists. My country has also established specialized institutions to counter extremist narratives, promote tolerance and disseminate a culture of accepting others and an optimistic vision at all national, regional and international levels. Convinced that lasting and global peace can be achieved only through peace between religions, the Forum for Promoting Peace launched an international initiative to build an alliance among the Abrahamic religions and world philosophies.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The second challenge that the region is facing is the spread of extremism and terrorism and the exploitation of modern technology by extremist and terrorist groups in order to disseminate their dangerous ideologies. Although we have made some promising advances against those extremist and terrorist groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen and have liberated certain cities in Libya, our fight will continue until the scourge is eliminated. The situation is becoming more dangerous as some States establish media platforms that incite hatred and serve as rostrums for extremist and terrorist groups. We are facing extremist and terrorist ideologies that are equally responsible for the acts of violence committed in the name of those ideologies.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Those concerns were also reflected in the decision taken by the United States to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear agreement and to reimpose sanctions on Iran, which has never ceased its aggressive behaviour in the region or abandoned its intention to develop weapons of mass destruction, even when the international community granted it the opportunity to rectify its policies and behaviour. In that regard, we stress the importance of a united international position against Iran that addresses that country’s development of ballistic missiles, its support for terrorist groups and its use of proxy wars to undermine regional and international security.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“At the same time as we are acting to counter the Houthis in the north of Yemen, my country will continue its fight against Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. That terrorist group was severely impacted after the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen was able to severely damage its forces, cut off its sources of finance and liberate the territories that were under its control. Mistrust in Iran’s intentions and concerns regarding its regional ambitions are not limited to our region.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The Houthis continue to obstruct humanitarian assistance and to receive Iranian arms, plant landmines and recruit children. In the light of those serious developments, the forces of the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen launched their military operations in Yemen to liberate Al-Hudaydah from the grip of the Houthis in order to achieve a strategic shift that would enhance the prospects for reaching a political solution. As the coalition carries out its operations in Al-Hudaydah and other areas in Yemen, the humanitarian aspects have always been taken into account. Hence, the Al-Hudaydah operation was planned and implemented in accordance with our obligations under international law. We have also strengthened and expanded our humanitarian aid and emergency relief.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It is critical in that regard to differentiate between the behaviour of illegitimate armed groups that are committing serious violations and criminal and subversive acts in Yemen, such as the Houthis, and the legitimate measures taken by the coalition, which was formed at the request of the legitimate Yemeni Government. The coalition’s goal is to restore stability by taking measured steps that take into account humanitarian aspects and are in accordance with Security Council resolutions. Despite the coalition’s tireless efforts to restore stability in Yemen and alleviate the suffering of its people, the intransigence of the Houthis in resisting serious peace initiatives, as proved by their absence from the recent Geneva talks, has exacerbated the humanitarian situation in Yemen.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The first challenge is foreign interference in the affairs of the Arab world. Certain countries of the region, particularly Iran, seek to undermine the security of the region by spreading chaos, violence and sectarianism. Iran’s interference in Arab affairs has reached an unprecedented level. Ever since those threats reached Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is a sister to all of us, we can no longer afford to remain mere spectators. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to be subjected to a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles. The security of countries in the region is interdependent, and our security is tied to that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. That is why we responded by joining the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen, which seeks to put an end to the Houthi coup and confront Iran’s interference.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Amid those dangerous challenges, which affect the security and stability of every State, especially in our region, it has become imperative for us to be more active in maintaining regional security by strengthening partnerships aimed at addressing current challenges. We realize that we cannot continue to rely on other States to solve the crises in our region. No single country, regardless of its capabilities, can alone restore security and stability, because confronting the transnational challenges that we face is a collective responsibility. In our endeavour to achieve regional security and stability, my country has followed a comprehensive approach that addresses the various dimensions of the threats in our region, which we believe can be summed up as the following four challenges.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As we celebrate the centennial of the birth of our founding leader, we realize that we are not isolated from our surroundings and that our success has increased our humanitarian responsibilities as an Arab country towards a region that faces numerous challenges. Over the past few years, we have witnessed major changes in the international order, the consequences of which are becoming more apparent each day, most notably the rise of armed terrorist groups that rely on extremist ideologies and seek to destabilize and control countries. What is even more dangerous is the support that rogue States are providing to such groups.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“At the outset, I would like to congratulate the President on her election to preside over the General Assembly at its seventy-third session. I would also like to thank her predecessor for his outstanding work during the previous session. Finally, I also want to convey my country’s appreciation of the valuable efforts being made by Secretary-General António Guterres. This year, the United Arab Emirates is celebrating the centennial of the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of our union and a leader whose vision entrenched the basis and values of the noble humanity in my country and transformed it into a successful political, economic and social model.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We will then have a clear path towards a brighter future that is full of hope.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The United Arab Emirates considers its values and principles to be a human and historic legacy celebrated and passed on by one generation to another. We have therefore declared 2018 the year of Zayed, in memory and recognition of the achievements of the founding father of the United Arab Emirates and with the aim of enshrining his values as we continue his journey to build and advance our nation. We stand at a historic juncture. On the one hand, we have those who pursue peace, development, modernity and the future, while on the other we have those who have chosen darkness, destruction, sabotage and chaos. In that essential and just confrontation, we must stand united. Our goal must be the eradication of extremism and terrorism and the elimination of the forces that are tearing our region apart.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“My country has moved beyond the stage of establishing its infrastructure and fulfilling basic needs, including by providing health, nutrition and education services, and has adopted a model based on the principles of good governance and values of tolerance and on its vision for building a contented society. We have also created a safe environment that can enable women and young people to fulfil their dreams and ambitions while engaging in their country’s development. As a result, we have been able to pioneer innovations and other groundbreaking achievements and have become a beacon of hope for younger generations throughout the region. We are cognizant that our greatest challenge is to make our development sustainable and prepare ourselves for the post-oil era. That will be vital to our survival.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We will nonetheless continue to work diligently and with determination on the political and humanitarian processes in Yemen, alongside our friends and brothers and under Saudi Arabia’s wise leadership, with the goal of addressing the humanitarian and development needs of the Yemeni people, especially women and children, and with a view to restoring stability there. The United Arab Emirates believes that by looking to the future, promoting human values, working to achieve human development and responding to the aspirations of young people, we can create the foundations for further development and prosperity.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In that regard, we would like to reiterate the importance of ensuring that the United Nations can arrive at solutions to humanitarian and political crises and address their grave implications, with a particular focus on recent acts of violence and ethnic cleansing such as have been committed in Myanmar against the Rohingya. The United Arab Emirates condemns the violence, displacement and collective punishment that have been visited on the Rohingya and will continue to provide them with assistance in order to reduce their suffering. In that context, I should also mention the Houthi rebels’ obstinate rejection of a political settlement to the crisis and the humanitarian initiatives in Yemen, which is preventing progress from being made on resolving the issue.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We must create opportunities and hope for younger generations so that they can look forward to a better tomorrow with optimism and confidence. My country is committed to achieving economic and human progress and has contributed to rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in conflict-affected countries in order to enable them to restore security and stability. We continue our humanitarian approach to alleviating the suffering of refugees. We support refugees internationally and regionally, with a view to protecting them and improving their living conditions by providing humanitarian and development assistance. However, we would like to stress that managing crises by providing such assistance alone is not a sustainable solution if we fail to address their root causes.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We therefore support enhanced controls on Iran’s nuclear programme and continued assessment of the agreement and its provisions. We view North Korea’s similarly provocative behaviour, through its continued development of its nuclear programme and ballistic missiles, as having only one purpose — acquiring further destructive power with which to threaten peace and stability in its region and the rest of the world. Iran and North Korea’s aggressive policies are not consistent with their membership in an international organization whose primary concern is the maintenance of international peace and security. If we are to restore security in our region and protect our peoples from conflicts and extremism, we must make development, in both its human and strategic dimensions, our top priority.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“From this rostrum, we reaffirm our firm position on the issue of and our legitimate right to sovereignty over the three islands of Greater Tunbs, Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, which Iran has occupied in violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. We will not abandon our demand that Iran return the occupied islands to their rightful owners, through voluntary or other peaceful means and in accordance with the resolutions that have been adopted in that regard, together with the rulings of the International Court of Justice. Two years have passed since the signing of the nuclear agreement with Iran, with no sign of change in its hostile behaviour. It continues to develop its nuclear programme and violates the letter and spirit of the agreement.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Iran’s hostile and expansionist policies continue to be the common factor in all the crises that our region has experienced, and a real obstacle to any concrete progress in resolving them. Iran interferes in the internal affairs of other States and arms and supports terrorist groups such as the Houthis and Hizbullah, as well as groups and cells in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. Iran has not only blatantly violated the principle of sovereignty but has continued to exploit the crises in the Arab world in order to undermine regional security and incite and fuel conflict. It must realize that only peaceful coexistence, based on mutual respect for sovereignty, is a viable basis for harmonious relations in the region.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“At the same time, such institutions promote a culture of peaceful coexistence and tolerance. It is regrettable, however, that some countries are funding media platforms that encourage violence, incite hatred and sectarianism and provide a forum for the murderous ideologies of terrorism. History has repeatedly shown that catastrophic consequences await those who follow such paths. Our international efforts to achieve peace in our region will not be successful if we fail to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territory, which has continued for seven decades. The situation makes young people vulnerable to exploitation by terrorist groups that claim that they are fighting only for liberation and to realize their aspirations.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“My country is working with regional and international partners to establish mechanisms that can remind our young people of our shared human values and counter the rhetoric of terrorism. Specifically, the United Arab Emirates has established and hosts specialized institutions such as the Sawab Centre, the Hedayah International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism and the Muslim Council of Elders, whose purpose is to demonstrate the peaceful nature of our Islamic religion and constitute a forum for promoting peace in Muslim societies. We have learned from experience that we must expose extremism and terrorism and the rhetoric surrounding them in order to defeat them intellectually and provide an alternative narrative based on the principle of peaceful coexistence and tolerance.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We have a clear choice, and there is no alternative to combating terrorism in all its manifestations and facing down all its perpetrators, without exception. We must have zero tolerance for those who spread violence, fear and destruction among innocent people or provide support and safe havens to terrorist groups. Together with its friends in the region, my country has therefore taken sovereign measures, in line with international law, with a view to protecting Arab security and standing against Qatar’s support to terrorism. Fourthly, we must promote compassion, tolerance and inclusion, because today more than ever the Arab region needs those values in order to counter the misleading messages and ideologies spread by extremists and terrorist groups, especially through social media.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“That is why the United Arab Emirates, together with its close allies the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt, has taken measures aimed at stopping Qatar’s support for extremism and terrorism and forcing it to abandon policies that have destabilized the region. We are committed to protecting our national interests, the security of the Arabian Gulf and the stability of our region. The alliances between certain parties in our region with organizations or entities whose goal is to undermine peace and security in the Arab region and the world are unacceptable. That is a gamble in which we will all be losers. Let us stand united against those who finance, promote and justify extremism and terrorism.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“It attracted an unprecedented level of attendance at the highest levels, including the important participation of the President of the United States. Its outcome demonstrated that the Arab and Islamic world has taken a firm stand against the ideological roots of terrorism. We believe that, while eliminating this threat from our Arab region is a difficult task, the campaigns to liberate such ancient and storied Arab cities as Mosul in Iraq and Mukalla in Yemen from the grip of terrorist organizations have shown that we can achieve a great deal if we work together in combating extremism and terrorism. Thirdly, we must take collective action to identify countries that support and finance terrorism and hold them accountable.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“That applies particularly to Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia, countries where comprehensive political solutions are possible and stability can be restored. But that can be achieved only if we end external interference in Arab affairs and suppress all forms of support to extremist and terrorist groups. In that regard, we support United Nations efforts to bring the parties to those conflicts to the negotiating table and to achieve comprehensive political solutions to the crises in our region. Secondly, we must unite in firm and wholehearted rejection of extremism and terrorism in all their manifestations. That is the only way to confront and eradicate those scourges. We believe that the Arab- Islamic-American summit in Riyadh was historic by any standard.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“These crises have had enormous costs in terms of human life, the displacement of millions and the destruction of infrastructure. If the situation persists, it will generate only more violence and devastation and deplete economic and cultural resources, not just in our region but all over the world. There is no doubt that we as an international community have achieved great progress in confronting security and humanitarian threats, but more can be done to restore stability in the Arab world. The United Arab Emirates therefore believes that we should take the following initial steps in the region. First, we should safeguard the progress that has already been made on development and counter any hindrances to our collective peacebuilding efforts, or we will be reduced solely to managing conflicts.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We see security and stability as key to the advancement of nations and peoples, a promising future for younger generations and a decent life for all. Our collective priority must be to promote peace and stability. Despite serious regional and international efforts, our region continues to suffer from crises whose causes include extremism and terrorism, persistent interference by States in one another’s internal affairs, aggressive and expansionist policies driven by hegemonic ambitions, and regimes that seek influence by providing support to extremist and terrorist groups, with the goal of undermining Governments’ legitimacy. We must protect that legitimacy and prevent the spread of chaos and conflict throughout the region and the world.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates is guided by principles consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and the provisions of international law — a spirit of partnership, support for the rule of law, good neighbourliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States. They lead us to support a stronger role for the United Nations, along with reform of its entities and systems, so that it can fulfil its mandate to maintain international peace and security and help countries achieve development and prosperity. The United Arab Emirates works hard and responsibly within its region and beyond to promote the stability and development of Arab countries and tackle the destruction wrought in our region by wars that have left total devastation in their wake.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I would like to begin by congratulating the President on his leadership of the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. We are confident that his deep experience in international affairs will contribute to the Assembly’s success, and we stand ready to provide him with all the support and cooperation he may need. I would also like to thank his predecessor, Mr. Peter Thomson, for his stewardship of the previous session. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my country’s appreciation for the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General to reform the work of the United Nations in conflict prevention and the achievement of peace and security. We fully support his vision, which requires the international community to cooperate more closely on existing and emerging global challenges.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We are firmly convinced that the effectiveness of the United Nations and its principal organs can be achieved through institutional cooperation with regional organizations, using clear mechanisms of cooperation, and that such cooperation is the cornerstone of the United Nations work. The United Arab Emirates looks forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General with a view to promoting the work and effectiveness of the United Nations, so as to ensure further progress and find solutions to conflicts, as well as build the capacities required to maintain international peace and security.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We expect the United Nations to play an effective and vital role in resolving conflicts, strengthening the ability of States to resolve conflicts through a framework based on respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. TTo enable the Security Council to carry out that role, the Council members need to work together for the benefit and well-being of our region. In order to ensure that the United Nations is effective in a multipolar world, we must grant the General Assembly a greater role and pay more attention to early planning so as to promote security and stability. We can do that through constructive strategies and programmes that aim to achieve sustainable development, eradicate poverty, fight inequality, address climate change, defend human rights and much more.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“My country has called on our neighbour Iran time and time again to return those occupied islands to their rightful owner, the United Arab Emirates, either voluntarily through peaceful means or through international justice and arbitration. in order to maintain friendly, neighbourly relations in the Persian Gulf. We will never give up our sovereign right over those islands, and our approach is based on the principles of international law. Our faith in the role of the United Nations and its organs, especially the Security Council, in maintaining international peace and security is unwavering.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“In that regard, we have established the Hedayah Centre to counter extremism and have participated with the United States in the establishment of the Sawab Centre. Additionally, the Muslim Council of Elders and the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies were established to show the true face of Islam. Those institutions aim to protect young people who have been attracted by extremist, sectarian and terrorist groups and counter the false claims of such groups. The crisis in our region should not distract us from our core national cause, which is United Arab Emirates sovereignty over its three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, which are being occupied by Iran against the provisions of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We believe that true development does not focus solely on the economic factors but also on the people themselves, based on the principles of tolerance, the acceptance of others and equality for all. The empowerment of women is a central policy in my country, based on a belief in the pioneering societal role they play. The education of our citizens is also a priority, and we have developed policies and legislation to reflect that. We believe that the essential framework to achieve those goals should be based on protecting the State, in particular from extremism and sectarianism. That would solidify and strengthen our State against factors of disintegration and collapse that have threatened other countries in the region.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“These examples affirm the regional view that settling for crisis management, repeating charitable humanitarian efforts or holding recurring international conferences will not substitute for solving those crises. Despite the complexity of the crises overtaking our region, there is still hope for overcoming and resolving them. That is evident in the solutions adopted by the United Arab Emirates and the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which will, we hope, have a positive impact on other countries in the region. The United Arab Emirates firmly believes in the values of justice, international law, human rights and good governance. We wish to provide an enhanced environment of happiness for our citizens and residents.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“That has distorted the vision for Syria and derailed it from the existing path. Our hearts bleed when we see the brotherly people of Syria attempting to flee from death. We are deeply saddened that the Syrian people, known for their dignity and ancient civilization, are forced by the ongoing fighting in their country to fall into the hands of an unknown fate, a fate that began with forced displacement, with no end in sight. In addition, they experience humiliation as they are turned away from the borders of other countries. The repercussions of the Syrian crisis — and the impact of violence, displacement and an uncertain future — will affect future generations of Syrians.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We hope that it will lead to constitution-building in Libya and strengthen cooperation between the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives, which are the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people. That would result in a more unified Libyan national Administration capable of protecting Libya’s territorial integrity and maintaining the unity of the people. The United Arab Emirates sees no possibility of resolving the Syrian crisis through anything other than a political solution. There is no possibility of resolving it through military force. To date, that path has only intensified the suffering of the fraternal people of Syria and led to increased flows of refugees to other countries. The crisis has been further complicated by interference on the part of Iran and its terrorist militias in Syrian affairs.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“In Yemen, there have been a number of initiatives, including an effective road map put forward by the legitimate Government of Yemen, now in Kuwait, and at the Quartet meeting held in Jeddah in August, that could have saved the Yemeni people from their suffering. We hope that those efforts can result in a political solution — if the intentions of the militias in Yemen are sincere and if they live up to the standards of the international community and uphold their responsibilities as Yemeni nationals. The United Arab Emirates also welcomes the Skhirat Agreement reached by the parties in Libya, as well as the formation of the Government of National Accord.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Despite the gravity of the crises that we all face, finding solutions is not impossible, if the international community and interested sides demonstrate good will and the political determination to resolve them. Allow me, in that regard, to offer the following thoughts: First, solutions must be based on justice and respect for the law. Without exception, no role should be given to any extremist, terrorist or evil party or group under any circumstances. We call on Iran and all regional parties to abandon the evil role that they are playing, which incites sectarianism and further ignites tension. Secondly, we must attempt to resolve some of the fundamental crises in a number of countries in the region, which is key to finding solutions to other crises, particularly in Yemen and Libya.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The lack of awareness of those crises and the lack of timely responses aimed at preventing the exacerbation of the suffering of many people are evident in the current developments in the Arab region, where the repercussions of certain crises have gone beyond borders. The ensuing refugee crisis and mass exodus from conflict areas and the consequent pressures on many countries have indicated the need to work together within and beyond our region to develop solutions that rise above individual interests. That provides yet another example of how ignoring crises or settling for managing them, rather than finding tangible solutions, has further exacerbated the crises and transformed the situation into one that is more complex and compartmentalized.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Yet, despite all of the above, Tehran has refused to rescind its policies, which means that in order to confront and solve the crises, we must deal with Iran’s behaviour. A further example of that trend can be seen in the decision of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to develop its nuclear and ballistic capacities and carry out regular testing, which threatens its neighbours’ security, as well as international peace and security, and is clearly contrary to the most fundamental rules of international law. The same can be said of the crises in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Through its constant interference in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries, it has played the greatest role in causing tension and instability in the region. Despite the so-called nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the P5+1 — which was welcomed by countries in the region in the hope that the deal would change Iran’s hostile approach — and despite all of the optimistic expectations, we have faced a different reality in that Iran has wasted no time in pursuing efforts to undermine regional security through aggressive rhetoric, blatant interference, the training and arming of militias and the development of its ballistic missile programme. Iran has been designated a State sponsor of terrorism, in itself quite alarming.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)