Delivered by Ms. Rawda Al-Ketbi, Attaché
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
Check against delivery
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand on assuming the Presidency of the Third Committee, wishing him all the success. We also extend our thanks and appreciation to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Burundi for his valuable efforts in chairing the Committee during the previous session.
The UAE attaches great importance to the pivotal role of the Third Committee in addressing various human rights issues. It places these issues at the heart of its national and international priorities, affirming its unwavering commitment to human rights principles as a foundation for achieving sustainable development and building stable societies.
Within the framework of this commitment, the UAE strives to enhance technical cooperation and exchange expertise with developing countries to build sustainable national capacities and develop its legislative and institutional systems in compliance with international standards, specially focusing on cooperation with United Nations Human Rights mechanisms, namely the Universal Periodic Review, in support of transparency and multilateral dialogue.
The UAE believes that the protection and promotion of human rights are closely linked to ensuring the effective participation of all members of society, without exception. In this context, the UAE calls for enhanced international cooperation to develop comprehensive social safety nets that promote social justice and reduce inequalities. We also emphasize the importance of coordinating humanitarian and development work, particularly in contexts of conflict and humanitarian crises, to ensure the provision of protection and support to the most affected groups.
At the national level, the UAE is pursuing integrated policies based on the principles of inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination, focusing on empowering youth and people of determination, which is the term we use to describe people with disabilities, as well as senior citizens, women, and children, all of whom are essential partners in the path to sustainable development.
In the Middle East, where youth constitute nearly two-thirds of the population, my country views this reality as a strategic opportunity and considers empowering youth as a national priority by involving them in policy making and solving future challenges. In this context, the UAE supports initiatives that enhance the role of youth in international work, most notably the UN Youth Delegates Programme, focusing on innovation, such as space and Artificial Intelligence. The UAE is highlighting the engagement of its youth in climate and sustainable development issues, including the Youth Climate Delegates Programme at COP28, and looks forward to strengthening these efforts through its upcoming participation in the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The UAE also stresses the importance of expanding international partnerships to enhance technological solutions that support the empowerment of people of determination and exchange best practices that ensure their participation in various aspects of life. My country has worked to establish legislative and executive frameworks that guarantee people of determination equal opportunities in education, employment, and community participation. The UAE presented its experience in this field during its active participation in the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, confirming its commitment to the principles of the Convention.
The UAE also views senior citizens as essential partners in development and seeks to protect their rights through strategies based on active aging and quality of life. This approach is consistent with the UAE’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Community,” reflecting a national drive to enhance social cohesion, achieve full inclusion, and foster a culture of participation and integration.
In the same context, the UAE emphasizes the need for the international community to support policies that enhance women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in all sectors. My country has achieved tangible progress in this area, whereby women now make up half of the members of the Federal National Council and actively participate in leadership and diplomatic positions and in vital sectors. This empowerment is based on a legal framework that promotes equality and ensures a balance between professional and family life. The UAE also strengthens measures to prevent all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence, as part of its commitment to a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls.
Stemming from its commitment to protecting all members of society, the UAE emphasizes the importance of promoting children’s rights, particularly considering the challenges facing children in conflict zones. We call for increased investment in basic and emergency education, ensuring children’s access to safe and comprehensive educational opportunities, and supporting low-income countries through aid, remote learning, and technological innovations.
The UAE also continues to strengthen the legal and institutional environment that ensures the protection of children from violence and neglect, enabling them to access education and healthcare. The “Wadeema Law” is one of the most prominent examples of the UAE’s commitment to these principles, alongside its ongoing partnerships with UNICEF and other organizations concerned with child protection.
The UAE welcomes the constructive discussions held within the Third Committee to combat all forms of intolerance, affirming its unwavering commitment to promoting the values of tolerance and rejecting hatred. We also support international initiatives that promote intercultural dialogue and the building of peaceful societies, believing that tolerance is a fundamental pillar for consolidating Human Rights. Therefore, my country is leading the “Tolerance, Peace, and Security Agenda,” which aims to promote the building of open and tolerant societies as an effective means of preventing conflict. The UAE stresses the need to combat racism and discrimination, and confront hate speech and intolerance, calling for the development of legal frameworks that protect freedom of expression and preserve social peace.
Mr. President,
The UAE believes that human dignity is the foundation of progress, and that respecting rights, promoting inclusion, and building tolerant and open societies are the path to achieving peace and sustainable development. In conclusion, we reaffirm our firm commitment to working with our international partners to build a more just, peaceful, and inclusive future for all.
Thank you.