His Excellency Khalifa Shaheen Almarar Heads UAE Delegation to the Non-Aligned Movement Summit

His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, opened the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in the capital of Uganda, Kampala, entitled: “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence”. The summit was held on January 19th and 20th, 2024, and attended by heads of states and state member representatives.

His Excellency Khalifa Shaheen Almarar, Minister of State, headed the UAE delegation to the summit, where he presented a speech on behalf of the country. During the speech, HE highlighted the UAE’s commitment to the primary principles of the Non-Aligned Movement as well as the fundamental principles established by the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and consolidated by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, which urge collaboration and the integration of endeavors to address the challenge of regional crises by mitigating tensions and championing diplomacy and dialogue as the optimal path to establish trust and resolve conflicts.

HE Almarar stated: “The UAE affirms its commitment to the primary principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, working to reinforce common interests, cooperation, and solidarity to address all repercussions and crises faced by countries of the movement."

HE affirmed the UAE’s commitment to the principles and vision of the movement, and to reinforcing multilateralism and cooperation to confront challenges and achieve common goals based on the principles of international law, as well as the objectives of the UN Charter, in addition to the friendly relations between countries, and resolving conflicts in peaceful ways. In addition, HE underscored the UAE’s commitment to consolidating a culture of peace, refraining from the use of force and interference in countries’ internal affairs, respecting countries’ sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, and resolving disputes peacefully according to the UN charter and international law.

According to these principles, HE emphasized the UAE’s unwavering and steadfast position on the issue of the three Emirati islands occupied by Iran, which demonstrates support for peaceful efforts and initiatives that aim to resolve the issue through bilateral negotiations or accepting to refer the case to the International Court of Justice in accordance with the principles and rules of international law.

Moreover, HE addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip, stressing that the UAE’s priority is to work towards reaching a ceasefire, safeguarding the lives of civilians, providing sufficient and sustainable relief and medical aid, and to avoid a regional spillover that would threaten security and stability in the region. In this regard, HE reviewed the UAE’s endeavors within the “Gallant Knight 3” initiative, and the substantial and continuous relief sent to civilians in the Gaza Strip, as well as the diplomatic efforts and calls since the outbreak of the crisis in the Strip, that seek to halt escalation, reach a cease-fire, restore peace, and prevent further loss of life. HE reiterated the UAE’s successful efforts during its non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council in yyadopting resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023).

With regards to developments in Sudan, HE emphasized that diplomatic action has always been, and continues to be, aligned with efforts to call for restraint, de-escalation, and action to end the conflict.

Furthermore, HE referred to the UAE’s successful hosting of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), where the historic ‘UAE Consensus’ was adopted, which included an unprecedented declaration to address the repercussions of climate change, in addition to the announcement of a special fund with the value of USD 30 billion for climate solutions worldwide to bridge the financing gap. The event also delivered a historic negotiated outcome to operationalize Loss and Damage with a contribution exceeding USD 550 million, and supported the health sector across the African continent with a fund with the value of USD 220 million, in addition to concluding important agreements that aim to contribute to be advancing climate action.