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Delivered by: His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

Check against delivery.

Mr. President,

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenka for his comprehensive briefing on recent developments. We welcome the participation of the Ministers and other high-level officials in today’s meeting.

Mr. President

Our meeting comes as world leaders gather here in New York to emphasize the urgent need to prioritize dialogue and peaceful solutions to the crises raging around the world, in order to preserve the security and safety of peoples, and so that we can focus multilateral action on tackling common challenges.

In this context, the UAE welcomes the ceasefire reached in the region yesterday, which was supported by Russia, confirming that all parties concerned have chosen the path of calm and de-escalation.

Despite the ceasefire, we cannot fail to stress the need for all parties to commit to protecting civilians and taking the necessary measures to ensure their security and safety in the event of heightened tensions. We appreciate the role played by Russian peacekeeping teams in providing safe haven for civilians over the past days and deeply regret the loss of civilian life. We also offer our sincere condolences to the families of the peacekeepers killed.

We appreciate the ICRC’s ability to deliver relief assistance to those in need, with the consent of the parties concerned. This constructive approach is an effective example of the role of dialogue in achieving positive results for all, especially in terms of alleviating the suffering of civilians through the provision of necessary relief aid. In this context, we welcome the deliveries of humanitarian assistance earlier this week and the deliveries of medical supplies to hospitals in the affected area.

Finally, the UAE stresses the need to maintain and stabilize the ceasefire, and for the concerned parties to exercise restraint and avoid any escalatory acts, in order to preserve the lives of civilians as well as the security and stability of the region, which does not bear further repercussions resulting from any new escalation.

Mr. President, we are encouraged that talks were held today in Yevlakh and hope that they can build further understanding.

We further emphasize the principles of the UN Charter, including the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and the peaceful resolution of disputes. 

Recent events have demonstrated the fragility of the situation in the region and the urgent need for further dialogue at all levels to pave the way towards a peaceful and prosperous future for the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Thank you, Mr. President.