Delivered By: HE Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by commending Algeria for its leadership of the Presidency of the Council this month, and by thanking Minister Attaf for presiding over the meeting this morning.
As this is the first time I address the Security Council this year, I take this opportunity to welcome the new Council members – Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia – and I congratulate the Council members that recently completed their terms – Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland – for their commendable service over the previous two years.
I also thank Secretary-General Guterres for his statement and welcome his appointment of Under-Secretary General Sigrid Kaag as Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
Mr. President,
After 15 months of devastation and destruction, we now come to this Council with profound hope. Hope that this horrific period of violence comes to a permanent end.
The ceasefire is an important first step on the long road to peace and recovery for the wider region – one that ends the cycles of violence once and for all.
Today, I would like to highlight three points that are key to paving the way to a more peaceful future.
First, we need the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
The United Arab Emirates welcomes the ceasefire and the release of detainees, hostages, and captives.
We commend Egypt, Qatar, and the United States for their persistent commitment to finding a diplomatic solution.
It is a reminder that solutions are not forged in the fires of war, but at the negotiating table.
Second, humanitarian aid must be scaled-up and delivered immediately.
We welcome the first delivery of humanitarian aid following the ceasefire and urge that aid is delivered throughout Gaza at an accelerated pace.
The UAE has been a steadfast supporter of humanitarian efforts in Gaza over the past 15 months, and we are working closely with UN partners to scale up aid to reach all those in need.
Facilitating the entry of commercial goods into Gaza will also be critical for sustaining livelihoods and rebuilding stability.
The entry and distribution of aid must be secure – any attempts to obstruct its entry and all attacks on humanitarian workers are unacceptable. International law must be respected.
This is particularly important as we inch closer to the date that the Knesset’s laws on UNRWA are slated to come into effect.
This would effectively prohibit UNRWA’s essential work within the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and undermine the humanitarian response during the ceasefire.
Lastly, while we address the immediate needs of today, it is essential that we also lay the groundwork for tomorrow.
We must accelerate our efforts towards advancing the two-state solution and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian State.
A state that lives free from the indignities of illegal occupation.
A state that unifies the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, under a reformed Palestinian Authority.
A state that thrives in peace, prosperity, and security, living side-by-side with Israel.
After 471 days, it has never been clearer that this is the only path to lasting peace between Palestine and Israel. The status quo was, and remains, untenable.
Today, we have a rare opportunity to move forward – not backwards.
Our next steps can define whether we return to the circumstances that led to the horrific violence perpetrated on October 7 and the death, destruction and dehumanization that followed.
Or they can enable us to fundamentally re-shape the trajectory of the region’s most protracted conflict towards a just and lasting peace.
We must make sure it is the latter.
Thank you, Mr. President.