Delivered by: Sarah Al-Awadhi, Second Secretary
I would also like to thank the President of the General Assembly for his remarks and for convening this meeting following the High-Level week of UNGA78. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his valuable updates on the process of the implementation of “Our Common Agenda”.
In my today’s intervention, I would like to reflect on the following aspects:
First, Our Common Agenda provided a momentum for food systems transformation and significant progress has already been made this year. I wanted to draw your attention also to the focus that the United Arab Emirates as incoming Presidency of COP28 will be placing on food systems transformation. Notably, in mid-September, we circulated to all Missions a draft of the ‘Emirates Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action’ for comments and for endorsement by Heads of State and Government ahead of COP28. By aligning the climate and food agenda closer together at COP28, we hope to take us one step closer to a climate-resilient food system.
Second, the United Arab Emirates looks forward to the operationalization of the UN Youth Office later this year. We fully support its goal to strengthen the international architecture to promote youth engagement within the UN system, Member States and other relevant stakeholders. We reiterate our strong commitment to inclusivity and empowering the leaders of tomorrow.
Third, the United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront of promoting the values of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and human fraternity in order to build resilient, stable and prosperous societies. These values foster social cohesion, promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue and address the root causes of conflict and extremism in a proactive and preventive way.
- Question: The UAE welcomes the Secretary-General’s efforts to strengthen the UN’s preventative approach, outlined in the ‘A New Agenda for Peace’. We would be appreciated if the you could share with us some of the measures that will be taken to strengthen prevention efforts at the UN?
Fourth, the United Arab Emirates reaffirms the importance of harnessing the potential of digital technologies for global peace, security, and development – while at the same time mitigating any potentially harmful impacts. We already have appointed a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and are working to ensure that our future is one that leverages technological advancement and innovation in all aspects of life.
Finally, we now have one year left to ensure that we have a transformative ‘Summit of the Future’ at next year’s UNGA. In the “Pact for the Future”, we, Member States, must be able to take the decisions that are required for the strengthening the multilateral governance structures and adapting them to the realities of the 21st century. The United Arab Emirates will continue to work collectively with all to strengthen global unity and reaffirm our common principles and aspirations.
Thank you.