UAE Foreign Minister calls for collective effort in tackling problems

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister, on Sunday reiterated the UAE's determination to promote means of cooperation, confidence building and dialogue in order to achieve human security, sustainable peace and comprehensive reform.

Delivering a keynote speech at the Forum for Future at Emirates Palace here on Sunday, Shaikh Abdullah said, "Security, peace and development in this region greatly impacts global peace and prosperity."

Based on the belief of shared responsibility and international cooperation, the UAE is jointly hosting this forum with Japan, he said.

The UAE has achieved high levels of human development, standards of living and education, he told the forum. Medical care and housing have been given priority, in addition to human rights, women's empowerment and women's participation in all sectors. "Many of these humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the UAE during the last five years have contributed positively towards fulfilling the United Nations millennium development goals. We consider it our responsibility to do more to ensure a secure, just and peaceful international order," Shaikh Abdullah said.

He said the international upheavals require joint, intensive and continued efforts to surmount them wisely, rationally with political foresight and will.

Shaikh Abdullah said: "I am sure you are aware of the prevailing regional frustration as a result of delay in the Middle East peace process. Threats on the ground also create a strong case for making the Middle East region free from weapons of mass destruction. Any situation to the contrary would open the door for continuous conflicts and threaten regional and international peace and security, in addition to wasting capabilities, intensifying disorder and hindering development."

He said there are pressing issues that need to be tackled such as lack of development, poverty, illiteracy, extremism and unemployment.