Delivered by: Ms. Ghasaq Shaheen Deputy Permanent Representative & Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
Check against delivery
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by thanking His Excellency Timothy Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, for convening this important meeting. I also appreciate the valuable statements made by the briefers.
Mr. President,
As we focus on finding solutions to the escalating crises around us, we cannot overlook the importance of addressing the root causes that lead to the outbreak of conflicts in the first place. According to the comprehensive approach to sustaining peace, we must undertake practical efforts, including preventive diplomacy, to prevent and resolve conflicts, support recovery in post-conflict situations, and prevent resurgence of conflicts. This Council should also use the tools available to it to achieve these goals, in close coordination with the Peacebuilding Commission.
This must include promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence and preventing and countering hate speech and misinformation and disinformation, which too frequently provide the fuel for conflict.
Likewise, challenges such as food insecurity and forced displacement which cause conflicts and crises, can be avoided by taking early actions to mitigate the effects of climate change, and coordinate and expand international efforts. This would ensure that our efforts are not limited to addressing and managing the effects of climate change only, but also include preventive measures.
In this regard, my country believes that effective peacebuilding requires focusing on the following three areas:
First, peacebuilding requires strengthening the rule of law. This will demand developing policing strategies, especially in the countries suffering from deteriorating security conditions. These strategies must focus on enabling countries to use advanced technology in police work, early warning systems, and training law enforcement forces according to best practices. The UAE prioritizes capacity building, by supporting relevant initiatives, including the 2024 UN Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS), and the annual Performance Management Workshop for UN Police Chiefs in Abu Dhabi.
Second, we must invest in good governance based on the rule of law. Strong institutions are the pillars of a country’s stability. Therefore, it is important for countries which have outstanding experience in government development and providing excellent services to their people, to share their expertise and best practices with other countries, especially through exchange programs. My country began implementing a program since 2018, through which we contributed to supporting about thirty-five countries, including seven countries in conflict and post-conflict situations, to stay abreast of global trends and seize opportunities for development.
Thirdly, women must be able to participate fully, equally, and meaningfully at all levels in work and development sectors, including the security sector. This has been the rationale for the UAE providing training to women cadets from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, in close cooperation with The UN Women, and hosting the Global Workshop on Women, Peace and Security in Police Peacekeeping in Abu Dhabi this December. With many successful examples of women playing important roles in peacebuilding, mediation and conflict prevention, including in the Central African Republic, we can still achieve more if we dedicate our collective efforts to this end.
In conclusion, Mr. President, peacemaking requires, first and foremost, respect for humanity and commitment to international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. As we are inching closer to the Summit of the Future next month, and with the vision of the New Agenda for Peace in mind, the international community has a unique opportunity to renew its commitment towards peacebuilding and integrating it in multilateralism, to ensure a better tomorrow for current and future generations.
Thank you Mr. President,