Delivered By Mrs. Ameirah AlHefeiti, Deputy Permanent Representative

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Mr. President,

At the outset, I welcome the adoption of today’s resolution, which renews MINURSO’s mandate for another year. It also reflects the Mission’s critical and effective role in supporting stability in the region. We extend our sincere thanks to the United States, in its capacity as penholder, for its tireless efforts in presenting the draft resolution and facilitating the consultations that led to its adoption.

The UAE appreciates the Council’s constructive approach using balanced language that reflects its members’ support for the work of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Mr. Staffan de Mistura. We commend his tireless efforts, especially his facilitation of the political process to reach a realistic, just, lasting, and acceptable political solution based on the criteria set by the Security Council since 2007. We urge the Special Envoy to continue to build on the progress made by his predecessor, Mr. Kohler, whose roundtable process convening the four participants remains an important step towards reaching such a solution.

In conclusion, the UAE affirms once more its full support for the Kingdom of Morocco and its sovereignty over the entire Moroccan Sahara. We also reiterate our support for the Autonomy Initiative presented by the Kingdom of Morocco in 2007, which the Security Council has considered in resolutions to be both serious and credible. This initiative is an important solution that is in line with the United Nations Charter and UN resolutions, and also preserves the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Thank you, Mr. President.