Delivered by: Ms. Reem Al-Ameri, Attache

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Excellencies, distinguished colleagues,

The UAE would like to thank the Permanent Representative of Rwanda for his statement, as well as the Bureau for their continuous work. We would also like to thank the Executive Director of UNICEF for her continued leadership of the agency.

We are seeing an intensification of crises and humanitarian needs across multiple countries. This has undoubtably challenging the multilateral system to protect children. In this vein, the UAE would like to highlight the following points:

First, we would like to express our deep gratitude to UNICEF and other UN entities for aiding children in crisis around the world, but particularly in Palestine and Sudan, where children are bearing the brunt of the ongoing conflicts. In Gaza, nowhere is safe for children, as they face an increasingly dire humanitarian situation. Sudan’s humanitarian crisis for children is the biggest in the world, with over 14 million children in need. Urgent action is needed to secure an immediate ceasefire, ensure unimpeded and safe humanitarian access, and protect all children. The recent decision to open the Adre border crossing is a welcomed first step, but there is much more than can be done. 

Additionally, just last month, the UAE renewed its contribution to support UNICEF’s work in Sudan and South Sudan in implementing its 2024 Humanitarian Action for Children, which will give lifesaving support to children in need. We look forward to getting an update on UNICEF’s humanitarian action and understanding how we can do more to protect children in crisis around the world.

Second, we would like to commend UNICEF for the continued progress in providing children hope, even in the most difficult of times—from delivering millions of doses of the world’s first malaria vaccine to highlighting the impacts of climate change on children’s health at the COP28 in Dubai. We look forward to gaining additional insight to UNICEF’s contribution to Africa’s development agendas. We also would like to learn more about how UNICEF’s partnerships are better helping to address needs.

Third, we would like to highlight progress from the UAE’s own partnership with UNICEF, particularly the “Greening Education Partnership,” which provides access to quality climate education.  In August, during International Youth Day, educators from around the world gathered to discuss curriculum guidance and green standards and learn how to better incorporate climate education into their classrooms.  Through such partnerships, UNICEF and the UAE are supporting educators to inform today’s children about the challenges facing them so that they can develop and share solutions.

The UAE looks forward to participating in the discussions over the next three days, and you can count on our full support and engagement.

I thank you.