New York, NY – The United Arab Emirates celebrated the occasion of the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly with a reception at the Morgan Library. Senior UN leadership, diplomats, and distinguished members of the New York City community attended the reception, an annual event hosted by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates. This year’s reception focused on the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.
Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, welcomed guests to the celebration of cooperation between the UAE and the United Nations. “The UAE has been a proud member of the UN since 1971 – we joined the Organization the same week our nation was founded. From the beginning, the UAE’s values have been in harmony with the principles of the United Nations Charter,” said Ambassador Nusseibeh.
Surrounding guests at the reception were large panels featuring the various partnerships between United Nations agencies and the UAE, including efforts around the world to promote human rights and religious tolerance, empower women, provide emergency assistance, improve healthcare, support children’s education, and encourage industrial and sustainable development. The UAE has partnered with a wide array of UN agencies, including UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNESCO, UN Women, ITU, UNHCR, UNRWA, and UNIDO.
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid al Qasimi, UAE Minister of International Cooperation and Development, made remarks at the event. In her address to the audience, Sheikha Lubna highlighted the impact of current regional volatility: “The instability and crises in the Middle East threaten to undo years of development gains and render millions vulnerable. There are many troubled areas in our region and today we must be galvanized by the immense suffering in Syria and Yemen.” Calling for bold action and world leadership, she added, “These crises are not only humanitarian or developmental – unless we address their root causes, we will not be able to solve them. Collectively, the international community must do more to achieve political resolution to these crises.”
Sheikha Lubna highlighted the UAE’s continued work to help people around the world. “The UAE will advance its international cooperation – on sustainable development and humanitarian efforts – with UN agencies, other donors, relevant actors, and international partners, and place the needs and priorities of those we seek to assist at the center of these endeavors,” she said.
In conclusion, “A stronger United Nations is needed, now more than ever, in our region, and around the world. The UAE is committed to working with the United Nations, and we look forward to all that we can achieve in our future cooperation,” said Sheikha Lubna.