Delivered By: HE Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations

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Thank you,  Under-Secretary-General Fletcher, and thanks also to Secretary-General Guterres, for both your remarks and unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering worldwide.

The UAE is pleased to announce a contribution of $5 million US dollars to the Central Emergency Response Fund. Earlier today, we also announced $550 million US dollars to support the UN’s Global Humanitarian Appeal, reaffirming our commitment to advancing international efforts to save lives and respond to crises affecting the world’s most vulnerable people.

As humanitarian crises deepen in scale and complexity, pooled funds like the CERF are increasingly essential in our response, providing a predictable, flexible and efficient source, particularly for underserved and underfunded emergencies.

We hope this year’s contributions to the CERF will empower the UN humanitarian system to incorporate more digital innovations. The UAE believes new technologies, such as AI, predictive analytics, digital cash transfers and blockchain technology, not only help humanitarian actors anticipate and prepare for crises, but also enable faster and more efficient response. This is particularly relevant as climate shocks intensify and drive more frequent and severe emergencies. Leveraging such tools can strengthen our ability to act early and protect the most vulnerable from the growing climate-related humanitarian impacts. 

We continue to encourage better coordination across humanitarian actors, and deeper engagement with locally led efforts, particularly those that address women and girls’ needs.

The UAE looks forward to continued collaboration with partners to ensure that the CERF remains strong, with predictable funding, and fit for purpose in our fast-changing world.

Thank you.