Delivered by: Ameirah AlHefeiti, Deputy Permanent Representative

Mr. President,

I thank Mr. Perthes for his briefing and years of service. I also thank Ms. Wosornu and Ambassador Agyeman for their comprehensive briefings, and we listened carefully to Ms. Mayada Adil’s intervention.

Mr. President,

It has been nearly half a year since the outbreak of the crisis in Sudan. As we have heard in today’s briefings, the situation on the ground, including the displacement of millions and the collapse of basic services among others, reflects the gravity of the situation, and the urgent need to end the crisis.

It is therefore important for the international community to focus on urgently responding to this humanitarian situation. This means intensifying aid relief to the Sudanese people in order to alleviate their suffering as much as possible, which requires exploring any and all measures to enhance coordination and cooperation. One such measure could be to establish new partnerships at the local, regional, and international levels, to achieve a tangible impact on the ground.

We look forward to the outcomes of the meeting to mobilize support and strengthen the humanitarian response to the Sudan and the region, under the aegis of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the state of Qatar along with other regional and international partners and which is set to be held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the General Assembly.

We are encouraged by the humanitarian efforts of Sudan’s neighbors to help facilitate the delivery of aid. We would also like to commend the Sudanese organizations and community groups that continue to deliver aid under very challenging circumstances. We continue to appreciate the role of UNITAMS and the broader UN system in Sudan and encourage them to continue providing and coordinating aid.

In light of reports of interruption of some humanitarian activities, the looting and the destruction of humanitarian facilities due to insecurity in some areas, we reiterate our call to the parties to abide by international humanitarian law and ensure unhindered and safe humanitarian access to aid to those in need.

Mr. President,

A lasting and immediate ceasefire is essential to protect civilians and humanitarian workers and mitigate the humanitarian crisis. The interest of the Sudanese people must be put above all considerations.

It is of great urgency to de-escalate the conflict and to cease all hostilities, particularly in light of reports of escalating inter-communal violence and the risk of tearing apart the social fabric of Sudan. We therefore stress the importance of complementarity between regional and international efforts and local initiatives that contribute to preventing tensions at the communal level. One example is the Standing Committee for the Ceasefire in Darfur, which in the past has contributed to reducing violence, de-escalation and facilitating efforts to protect civilians despite the security challenges in the region.

The ceasefire and resuming dialogue remain critical and positive initial steps to achieve the right conditions for a return to the political process.

Mr. President,

In recent months, we have witnessed optimistic diplomatic momentum, especially at the regional level, to address the crisis in the Sudan. We therefore reiterate the importance of building on these efforts to reach a lasting settlement, one that includes a cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, the restoration of basic services, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Sudan’s neighboring countries play an important role, which require our continued support. We hope that concrete steps that the Arab Republic of Egypt continues to take within the framework of the “Neighboring Countries” initiative, will contribute to facilitating cooperation to achieve stability in Sudan. More broadly, the UAE supports regional efforts to end this crisis, including those by African Union through its “road map”, as well as those by LAS and IGAD.

However, for these efforts to succeed, it is necessary to continue coordination among all mediation tracks, as unity of purpose is essential for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the resumption of the political track.

In conclusion, the UAE reaffirms its solidarity with the Sudanese people during this time. We remain committed to providing relief assistance to them and supporting all diplomatic efforts to bring this crisis to its end. We hope that a national consensus will soon be reached and return the country on a path to sustainable security and stability.

Thank you, Mr. President.