Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, participated in a virtual dialogue with Dr. Eliot A. Cohen, Dean of the Paul. H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, on diplomacy and multilateralism in the time of coronavirus.

“Diplomacy is today more necessary than ever before,” Ambassador Nusseibeh said during the discussion, stressing keeping diplomatic channels open is particularly crucial during this global crisis.

Ambassador Nusseibeh explained while the response to the pandemic has been initiated mostly at the national level, the multilateral system is key to the pandemic response. She explained the UAE feels this responsibility deeply as the country serves as a global hub for testing and medical supplies. She discussed the UAE’s global assistance through the pandemic, noting the county has been active since the first days of the pandemic, both in terms of relief efforts and communicating with their partners.

“We have always believed in multilateral cooperation, aid, and support to our most vulnerable countries and most at-risk peoples around the globe when they have needed help. Even when there is no immediate perceivable threat to one’s own country, global challenges all find their ways to your shore,” said Ambassador Nusseibeh.