Delivered By: Colonel Saeed Aldhaheri, Police Adviser

Mr. Chair,

On behalf of the United Arab Emirates, I congratulate all the members of the Bureau for your  re-election at the Bureau of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34). The UAE aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Kingdom of Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

I have the honor to make the following remarks in my national capacity.

Mr. Chair,

We pay tribute to all UN peacekeepers serving in difficult environments, and we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their service reminds us of our shared responsibility to keep peacekeeping credible, effective, and true to its purpose.

As peacekeeping mandates grow more complex, the work of this Committee is essential. It is regrettable that consensus eluded us last year. During this session, we urge all delegations to engage with flexibility and partnership to deliver actionable, consensus-based guidance.

Mr. Chair,

Peacekeeping remains one of the most visible expressions of international solidarity. To succeed in today’s security environment — and under increasing resource constraints — peacekeeping must adapt, innovate, and deliver results. Allow me to highlight three priority areas that the United Arab Emirates considers central to these aims.

First, performance and efficiency. In a constrained budget context, we must strengthen accountability, align resources with realistic mandates, and reduce inefficiencies. The UAE supports Action for Peacekeeping Plus and discussions on the Future of Peacekeeping to advance a more results-driven approach. Since 2022, the UAE has convened an annual performance workshop in Abu Dhabi for UN Police Commissioners to share lessons and good practices. This year, we will expand participation to include mission military leadership to strengthen operational synergy.

Second, capacity-building and partnerships. Effective peacekeeping depends on strong cooperation among Member States, regional organizations, and the UN system. We see value in mechanisms such as the Light Coordination Mechanism and the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial to strengthen preparedness and operational resilience. In partnership with the LCM, the UAE became the first country to develop an Arabic Language Training Course for peacekeepers deploying to Arabic-speaking theatres, enhancing communication, situational awareness, and safety. The program has trained 40 peacekeepers from Nepal and is currently training 20 peacekeepers in Kazakhstan.

Third, Women, Peace and Security. Durable peace requires women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace operations, including in leadership. Through the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace and Security Initiative, the UAE continues to train and empower female military and police officers from across Africa and Asia. The UAE Ministry of Interior also hosted, for the second time in Abu Dhabi, a Women, Peace and Security Workshop with participation from over 40 Member States, all represented by female officers, to advance women’s leadership and strengthen inclusive institutions.

Mr. Chair,

The UAE’s commitment to UN peacekeeping is firm and enduring. We stand ready to engage constructively throughout this session. Together, let us provide clear, forward-looking guidance so that nearly 60,000 peacekeepers can deliver their mandates safely, effectively, and with distinction.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.