New York: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, yesterday attended a foundation stone laying ceremony for the new building of the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations in New York.
Shaikh Abdullah said that the building of the UAE Permanent Mission is an extension of the UAE’s long-standing commitment to the principles of the United Nations and its continued belief in multilateral diplomacy.
As an active member of the United Nations since 1971, the UAE, Shaikh Abdullah said, remains committed to playing a role in shaping and developing successful solutions to global and regional issues in cooperation with partners in the United Nations.
Present at the ceremony were Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, Minister of State, and Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, as well as senior UN officials, foreign diplomats and senior representatives of the United States Government and New York City.
Sultan Al Jaber said that the new building reflects the state’s heritage and national and cultural identity and renews the country’s continuous commitment to work to achieve progress and prosperity of humanity in all fields.
He said that in line with the approach of the UAE’s wise leadership that has always encouraged openness to other cultures and extending the bridges of communication and cooperation at all regional and international levels, the country, which has more than 200 nationalities living in it, today presents a vivid example of the positive benefits achieved by this approach.
He reiterated that this new building in New York would contribute to the continuation of the message of constructive cooperation and strategic partnership with the international community.
Lana Zaki Nusseibeh expressed confidence that the new building will provide an appropriate working environment that enables members of the Permanent Mission of the UAE diplomats and partners in the international community to work together and contribute effectively to the consolidation of peace, stability and sustainable development in our region and the world.
Meanwhile, Shaikh Abdullah met with Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, in the presence of Charles Fernandez, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Antigua and Barbuda.
Shaikh Abdullah also met with Hassan Ali Khaire, Prime Minister of Somalia, in the presence of Yusuf Garad Omar, Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During the two meetings, which were held on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. They discussed bilateral relations and means of boosting them in various fields. They also exchanged views on a number of issues in the regional and international arenas, and issues on the UN agenda.
The meetings were attended by Faris Mohammed Al Mazroui, Adviser to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh.
