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NEW YORK / WAM
The United Arab Emirates’ delegation participated in several key high-level meetings during the first day of the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), extending over the course of one week.
The UAE delegation will engage in discussions with Member States, UN officials, and relevant stakeholders on priority files including the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, addressing climate change, reinforcing global health and prosperity, as well as preventing and resolving conflicts through peaceful means. Furthermore, the UAE delegation will participate in high-level meetings pertaining to the humanitarian response in Gaza and Sudan, the future of artificial intelligence, bridging the digital divide, climate resilience in relation to sea level rise, and other relevant topics. In this regard, UAE representatives attended the launch event for the ‘Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development (AI4SD)’ platform — a UAE-UN Development Programme partnership. The initiative will leverage the transformative power of AI and cross-sector collaboration to improve the data available to decision makers and officials in the Arab region. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, participated in the event.Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, participated in a fireside chat entitled, ‘A new Middle East: War, diplomacy, and emerging technology in a transforming region’ with Fred Kempe, President of the Atlantic Council, organised by the Council.
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, met with Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, to sign a MoU establishing mutual exemption of entry visa requirements between the two countries. Al Hashimy, along with Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development Affairs and International Organisations, also met with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
For her part, Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, announced the UAE’s significant partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to support 20 countries in the Global South to advance their renewable energy and climate goals. By raising the ambition of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the UAE is supporting efforts to close gaps and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.
In addition, Al Dahak attended the ‘Turning Methane Pledges into Action’ event, hosted by the International Energy Agency and the COP29 Presidency. She also attended the events: ‘Accelerating Solutions at the Intersection of Climate Change and Food Security’ and ‘Leveraging ambition for 30×30 and beyond: the road to CBD COP16’.
Al Dahak also participated in a Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships dialogue on ‘Delivering Climate Action through National-Subnational Collaboration’, along with the Global Renewable Summit 2024 High-Level Plenary on Global Renewables.
For his part, Sheikh Shakhboot Al Nahyan, Minister of State, participated in the 6th Summit of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East (ECAM), as well side events on ‘Africa’s Natural Resources Shaping the Future’ and the ‘UAE-Africa Trade Corridor’. He’s participation in these events reflects the UAE’s commitment to promoting sustainable, long-term prosperity and development in Africa.
Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and Dr. Maha Barakat, Assistant Minister of Medical Affairs and Life Sciences, participated in a meeting of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.
Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy of the Foreign Minister, engaged in discussions with Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State; Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs; as well as Martin Griffiths, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, participated in the event ‘Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace: Enabling Climate Action in the most Vulnerable and Fragile Settings’.
For his part, Saeed Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, participated in the annual BRICS Sherpa meeting.
Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Al Nahyan, also attended the Concordia Annual Summit session on ‘Digital Financial Literacy’. Her Highness met with Ann Warner, Interim CEO of the International Centre for Research on Women.
During its participation in the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the UAE looks forward to continuing its role as a reliable partner, supporting international efforts to build stable and prosperous societies.