On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, led a UAE delegation to the 15th Islamic Summit Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in The Gambia, which was held under the theme ‘Enhancing unity and solidarity through dialogue for sustainable development’.
During his speech, His Excellency commended the Republic of The Gambia for its presidency over this session as well as expressing his appreciation for the gracious welcome and warm hospitality. His Excellency also expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its efforts during its presidency during the 14th Islamic Summit of the OIC and for His Excellency the Secretary General and the General Secretariat of the Organization for all their endeavors.
In this regard, His Excellency stated: “The UAE believes in the importance of supporting security and peace and maintaining them through national awareness to preserve peaceful culture among societies, reinforce the values of tolerance and communication, and establish the necessary mechanisms to prevent armed conflict and enhance preventative diplomacy in light of the ongoing challenges that threaten international security and stability.”
His Excellency added: “Stemming from our unwavering support to the pivotal causes of the OIC, the Palestinian cause, and to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution according to relevant resolutions of international legitimacy, the UAE pursued all endeavors pertaining to this issue during its membership of the UN Security Council 2022-2023, and to act as a principled and practical voice on the international stage. During its membership the UAE sought to strengthen the values of tolerance and coexistence, showed solidarity with Arab causes, supported the female agenda on peace and security, enhanced the UNSC’s participation in climate, peace, and security issues, and solidified the principles of faith in diplomacy, consensus, and bridge-building.”
His Excellency added: “Following the outbreak of the Palestinian crisis in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, the UAE began diplomatic efforts at all levels aimed at de-escalation and restoring peace, with the primary focus on preventing further violence and safeguarding the lives of civilians and preserving facilities, stressing the need to immediately secure humanitarian corridors for the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid.”
His Excellency highlighted the UAE’s efforts during its non-permanent membership at the UNSC as well as its success in adopting resolutions 2712 and 2720 (2023) that called for tangible steps to increase the flow of necessary humanitarian aid, and safeguarding the lives of the United Nations’ employees and humanitarian workers on the ground in the Gaza Strip.
His Excellency reiterated the UAE’s calls to the international community to undertake immediate efforts to reach a ceasefire to avoid further loss of life, and prevent fueling the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The UAE also called for adopting robust measures to prevent a regional spill-over, while emphasizing the importance of providing complete protection and safeguarding the lives of civilians, and providing extensive, safe, and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to the brotherly Palestinian’s, especially in the Gaza Strip, and ensuring the immediate, safe, sustainable, and unhindered delivery of relief and humanitarian aid, while preventing further loss of life.
Furthermore, His Excellency affirmed the UAE’s strong condemnation of the forced displacement of the brotherly Palestinians, and all practices that violate the resolutions of international legitimacy and international and humanitarian law. His Excellency also highlighted the UAE’s position that calls for achieving peace and consolidating security and stability in the region, which requires cooperation with all active parties in the international community to end extremism, tension and violence, to find tangible and constructive political avenues for renegotiations aimed at pursuing a path towards comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state.
His Excellency emphasized the UAE’s unwavering efforts to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians and provide humanitarian support. In this regard, the UAE launched a maritime corridor from Cyprus to Northern Gaza (the Amalthea initiative) in cooperation with Cyprus and the World Central Kitchen, with two ships carrying hundreds of tonnes of food supplies dispatched. The UAE also launched an air bridge, which is still operational, to deliver relief and medical aid, with more than 256 flights, 1,231 trucks, and 6 ships transferring 31,000 tonnes of urgent humanitarian supplies.
His Excellency also highlighted the UAE’s efforts, in cooperation with American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), with the successful delivery of 400 tonnes of food aid for the brotherly people of Gaza, specifically intended for the northern Gaza Strip. The initiative aims to provide food for 120,000 people, reflecting the UAE’s unwavering commitment to provide relief and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
H.E. referred to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, to provide medical treatment for 1,000 wounded children and 1,000 cancer patients from the Gaza Strip in the UAE's hospitals, prior to their safe return home. The UAE also set up a comprehensive field hospital in southern Gaza, supervised by an Emirati medical team, and docked a hospital ship at Al Arish in Egypt. The UAE has also established six desalination plants to provide 1.2 million gallons of clean drinking water to people in the Gaza Strip, as part of the UAE’s efforts to support the humanitarian repercussions experienced by Palestinians.
HE Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan added: “The UAE is committed to enhancing its role as a proactive nation in advancing the goals of sustainable development through partnerships with countries worldwide. These collaborations aim to benefit nations and communities by achieving development objectives and fostering a brighter future for all.”
His Excellency addressed the UAE’s successful hosting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which was held in Expo City, Dubai. His Excellency expressed his appreciation to all participating countries for their engagement and active contributions which resulted in COP28’s successful announcing of the historic ‘UAE Consensus’ on climate. His Excellency highlighted that the ‘UAE Consensus’ is an unprecedented agreement aimed at addressing climate change repercussions, and is regarded as a significant turning point for global climate action.
His Excellency also highlighted the important announcements and initiatives from the conference, including the establishment of a USD 30 billion global climate solutions fund, to bridge the climate finance gap, as well as the UAE's announcement to develop mechanisms for financing and accelerating global climate action, and activating the "loss and damage" climate fund with contributions exceeding USD 550 million. His Excellency emphasized that these joint efforts aim to provide an effective response to the consequences of climate change and achieve sustainable development, and that the opportunities provided by the agreed-upon solutions in climate action should be available to all advanced and developing countries and economies.
His Excellency stated: “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 Agreement on climate change, 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 regard, His Excellency stressed the initiatives launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, including the ‘Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative’ to confront the urgent challenges of global water scarcity. This initiative aims to increase awareness about the importance of water scarcity and its international repercussions, in addition to accelerating the development of innovative technological solutions to address this issue. Moreover, it aims to test the effectiveness of any solutions, and enhance cooperation with partners and stakeholders worldwide.
His Excellency stated: “The UAE believes in the importance of multilateral action to address the challenges facing the Islamic world. The country also believes that efficient platforms such as OIC serve as a unified front to reinforce constructive dialogue at the international level.”
His Excellency added: “In this regard, the UAE continuously supports international peace, security, and development, through expanding trade and encouraging investment and tourism, while enhancing scientific and technological exchange, as well as sharing expertise and cooperating on development projects, and increasing collaborations to address natural disasters.”
His Excellency stressed that the UAE’s leadership and government provide significant support to the youth across the world, particularly in Africa, as people under the age of 25 constitute over 60% of the continent’s population. The UAE has therefore announced a new financial grant of USD 220 million in the field of health, given that Africa’s future relies on quality healthcare, education, and skills acquisition for youth. The initiative aims to enhance the health of youth and support the healthcare sector in Africa. Investing in youth will unleash the potential of millions across the African continent and ensure a prosperous future.
His Excellency emphasized the UAE's anticipation for the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 in New York. This significant gathering holds immense importance, as it provides a unique opportunity to endorse a multilateral framework and reaffirm global solidarity, thereby shaping the course of the future. The Summit seeks to develop innovative solutions to mutual challenges and aims to leverage emerging technologies. The UAE will constructively collaborate with its partners to ensure meaningful and ambitious results emerge from the event.
His Excellency added: “We would like to convey our support to His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, for his country’s leadership during this session. We are confident in your dedication to realizing our shared objectives and wish success for the proceedings of this session.”
On the sidelines of the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference of the OIC, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout Al Nahyan met His Excellency Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of 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 Gambia.
HE Sheikh Shakhbout Al Nahyan conducted bilateral meetings with His Excellency Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mali, His Excellency Kalla Ankourao, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Niger, and His Excellency Régis Onanga Ndiaye, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Gabon.
