Delivered by: His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.

Madame President,

The United Arab Emirates joined the Security Council with a commitment to support humanitarian efforts. During the past eleven months, we have worked in support of humanitarian exemptions to several sanctions regimes. The UAE is therefore pleased that today’s landmark humanitarian resolution has been adopted.

We thank Ireland and the United States, as well as all our colleagues on the Council, for the work undertaken and the outcome achieved. As humanitarian needs rise around the world, we must do all we can to enable aid to reach people in need while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent any possible misuse of humanitarian assistance. Today’s resolution is an important step towards ensuring legitimate humanitarian aid is not inhibited by sanctions regimes.

Madame President,

Supporting humanitarian causes is part of the UAE’s national ethos. Our humanitarian aid comes from the government, as well as from the UAE’s many charitable organizations. The UAE works closely with the United Nations humanitarian agencies, the Emirates Red Crescent, our own national non-profit groups, and local organizations doing valuable humanitarian work.

While we are pleased the resolution covers many different forms of aid delivery, including the critical work done by the UN and national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, we recognize that across the globe, food, medical and other aid is delivered by different actors, and by different means. Although most aid providers are covered by this resolution, some genuine humanitarian organizations may be left out. 

Madame President,

While we recognize this resolution as a milestone in the Security Council’s support for people in need of humanitarian assistance, we nevertheless see some potential for overcompliance. We therefore believe it is important to regularly review how the resolution is being implemented on the ground and adjust it as needed. The goal is to ensure that all parts and partners of the humanitarian system are not impeded by sanctions measures and that this resolution’s safeguards remain fit-for-purpose. Going forward, our collective responsibility will be to shepherd the full implementation of Resolution 2664, including by providing guidance to member states, the private sector, and other actors.

Madame President,

The UAE will continue to support humanitarian organizations’ ability to do their lifesaving work throughout our Security Council term and beyond.

Thank you, Madame President.