Opposing JASTA (Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act)
Countering terrorist groups is a right and duty of all states. However, resorting to blindly placed laws that ignore the effective role played by a number of states in countering terrorism after the suffering of others, such as the US Congress JASTA, will lead to further arbitrary policies and destabilise the existing strong relationships between allies.
Iran’s meddling
We find Iran, with its expansionist regional policies, flagrant violations of the principles of sovereignty, and constant interference in the internal affairs of its neighbouring countries, has played the greatest role in causing tension and instability in the region.
Tehran’s role
Iran wasted no time in continuing its efforts to undermine the security of the region, through aggressive rhetoric, blatant interference, producing and arming militias, developing its ballistic missile programme, in addition to its alarming designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Libya’s future
The UAE also welcomes the Skhirat Agreement reached by the concerned parties in Libya as well as the formation of the Government of National Accord. We hope that it will lead to further commitment to Libyan constitution-building, and solidifies cooperation between the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives, which both represent legitimacy in Libya.
The crisis in Syria
Our hearts bleed when we see the brotherly people of Syria are fleeing from death to death. We are deeply saddened that the Syrian people, who are known for their dignity and ancient civilisation, are forced by the ongoing fighting in their country to fall into an unknown fate.
Working with neighbours
Despite the complexity of the crises overtaking our region, there are still hopes for overcoming them. This is evident in the solutions adopted by the UAE and the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the region, which provide optimism and we hope they will positively impact other countries of the region.
Empowerment of women
The empowerment of women has become a central policy in our country because of our belief in their pioneering societal role, their active contributions to generation-building, and their success in doing so.
The UAE islands
“My country has called, and continues to call on, our neighbour Iran, to return the occupied islands [of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa] to their rightful owners, either voluntarily or through peaceful means, particularly through international justice or arbitration, in order to maintain friendly relations and good neighbourliness in the Arabian Gulf region. We also affirm that my country will never give up its sovereign right over these islands, and this approach emphasises the UAE’s insistence on the principles of international law.
The next secretary-general
The UAE looks forward to working with the next secretary-general with a view to promoting the work and effectiveness of the United Nations’ organs and programmes, in order to ensure progress and results in terms of finding solutions for resolving and preventing conflicts, as well as predicting and building the necessary capacities required to maintain international peace and security.
