Delivered by: HE Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
Mr. President,
At the outset, I wish to express our deepest appreciation to Greece for its outstanding efforts during its distinguished presidency of the Council this month. I also thank Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov for his valuable briefing.
Regarding developments on the Palestinian question, I wish to highlight the key requirements for the period ahead:
First, the positive momentum generated by the Council’s adoption of resolution 2803 a year ago must be built upon through concerted international efforts. These efforts should support the full implementation of President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza and its accompanying roadmap. This includes enabling the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to assume its responsibilities throughout the Strip; deploying an international stabilization force; disarming Hamas; and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
My country has engaged sincerely in supporting these efforts, through its membership in both the Board of Peace and the Gaza Executive Board. As winter approaches, the UAE emphasizes the urgent need to ensure that essential humanitarian supplies are allowed to enter Gaza through all crossings, while ensuring the protection of humanitarian workers and while facilitating the unimpeded delivery of aid to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Second, my country stresses the need to halt the dangerous Israeli escalation in the West Bank, as well as its settlement activities—which are occurring alongside a rising settler violence and their terrorist attacks—and the ongoing violations and incursions in East Jerusalem and its holy sites. We underscore the importance of respecting the historic Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and preserving the historic and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
We reiterate our categorical rejection of any practices or measures aimed at forcibly displacig the Palestinian people from their land.
Third, we underscore the central importance of reunifying the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under a competent Palestinian authority capable of meeting the aspirations of the Palestinian people, exercising exclusive control over arms, and ensuring security, stability, and the rule of law.
Mr. President,
In the context of this open debate, the United Arab Emirates reaffirms its support for the Lebanese Government’s efforts to extend its authority throughout its territory and ensure that arms are held exclusively by the State. These efforts are vital to safeguarding Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also call for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. We welcome the tripartite framework agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel—brokered by the United States—and hope that it will help consolidate sustainable security and stability.
In keeping with our steadfast support for the brotherly Lebanese people and their aspirations for development, the UAE is working to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors, including the exchange of government expertise and digital transformation.
Regarding Syria, my country condemns ongoing Israeli actions—including excavation and land-leveling operations on Syrian territory—as violations of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. We reiterate our rejection of any infringement upon Syria’s sovereignty, security, and stability, including in the occupied Syrian Arab Golan.
With respect to regional security, my country strongly condemns the Houthi group’s repeated targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We express our full solidarity with the Kingdom and support with regards to all measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability.
In conclusion, the current challenges facing our region call for a steadfast commitment to dialogue, moderation, peaceful solutions, de-escalation, respect for state sovereignty and good-neighborly relations, and adherence to international law and the UN Charter. These principles are essential to achieving security, stability, and prosperity across the region.
Thank you.