Delivered By: Ms. Nora Alawadhi
Mr. Chair,
I would like to congratulate you on assuming the chairmanship of the Second Committee during the 79th Session of the General Assembly. I would also like to extend my appreciation to His Excellency Carlos Amorin for his leadership of the previous session.
The United Arab Emirates aligns itself with the statement made by the G77 and China.
Mr. Chair,
Today’s meeting convenes amidst a wave of cascading conflicts and challenges that are heightening global uncertainty – from the impacts of the wars on Gaza and Ukraine to multiple environmental crises.
Given the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of today’s global challenges, the need for robust, inclusive, and adaptable strategies has never been more urgent. This includes bringing in voices from every corner of the globe, including the Global South, and ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful inclusion of half the world’s population: women.
Mr. Chair,
To build resilience and foster growth in an unpredictable world, we must recognize that the climate crisis is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Fostering resilience means not only adapting to climate change, but also proactively mitigating it.
The UAE has prioritized comprehensive and inclusive climate action to ensure sustainable development and the protection of people at the front lines of the climate crisis. COP28, hosted in Dubai last year, saw the adoption of the historic UAE Consensus by 198 countries, a landmark agreement that represents a significant step forward in our global efforts to address the climate crisis.
As outlined in its Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace, COP28 aims to galvanize support for accelerated action and resources for countries experiencing high climate vulnerability in conflict settings. In addition, the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28 was a breakthrough for climate action, acknowledging the realities faced by nations disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. This fund embodies the principle of global solidarity and enhances the resilience of the countries most affected by the impacts of climate change.
As the COP28 Presidency draws to a close, the UAE looks forward to collaborating with all nations, and continuing this important work through the Troika of COP Presidencies, in partnership with the Republic of Azerbaijan and Federative Republic of Brazil. This unique initiative aims to expedite a comprehensive response to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach., thus strengthening our collective resilience in an unpredictable world.
Our efforts in collective climate action must go hand in hand with a steadfast commitment to the water agenda, as well as the provision of sustainable and clean water for all. The UAE looks forward to co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference with the Republic of Senegal, which will accelerate the implementation of SDG 6 and provide a vital platform for sharing innovative practices, fostering global dialogue, and developing actionable strategies.
The UAE’s commitment to sustainable water management is further demonstrated in its Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative, which aims to enhance water accessibility and sustainability, particularly in regions facing acute water challenges.
Mr. Chair,
As we aim to foster growth in an increasingly uncertain world, we must utilize the transformative opportunities provided by Artificial Intelligence, as well as biotechnology, climate tech, and quantum technologies. These tools can advance the SDGs and bolster our collective pursuit of global peace, security, development, and humanitarian assistance.
Through its investments in high-performance computing clusters and AI-optimized data centers, the UAE is utilizing these technologies in a wide range of applications, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and agriculture. However, the dividends of these investments can only be realized if we strengthen international cooperation, address the digital divide, and build partnerships rooted in collaboration and transparency.
Furthermore, we must set guidelines for the responsible use of these technologies that balance our pursuit of innovation with our need for safeguards. In this regard, the UAE has articulated its framework in the “Charter for the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence ”, which ensures the responsible development and utilization of these technologies. The UAE centers these guidelines in each of its research and development initiatives, from the Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI to the cutting-edge innovations being developed in research institutes across the country.
Mr. Chair,
With no shortage of work ahead of us, let us bring a spirit of cooperation and compromise to the Second Committee so that we can work towards a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
Thank you.