Today's Edition
NEW YORK CITY (ALETIHAD)
His Excellency Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations (UN) in New York, delivered the UAE’s statement at the UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Threats to International Peace and Security, stating the UAE’s support of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, that respects its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
At the beginning of the address, His Excellency extended its gratitude to Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his informative briefing, while also acknowledging Ukraine’s participation in the meeting.
Expressing grave concern over the tragic incident in Donetsk in November, the UAE conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a swift recovery to the injured.
“We are concerned by reports of civilian deaths and injuries following an attack in Donetsk on 7 November, and we offer our condolences to the families of all victims and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured,” the Ambassador stated.
The UAE emphasised its concern over the extensive damage to critical infrastructure in Ukraine.
His Excellency highlighted the risks posed to the civilian population due to the impaired functioning of these vital services, stating that “since this conflict began, we have seen damage to hospitals, train stations, dams, and energy infrastructure, including nuclear power plants. This infrastructure provides vital services to the people of Ukraine and its damage places the civilian population at risk.”
Recognising the critical need for electricity and heating, particularly during the upcoming winter months, the UAE stressed the imperative of safeguarding the health and well-being of civilians.
“The provision of electricity and heating during the coming months will be critical for the health and safety of civilians. The civilian population should not bear the brunt of this conflict, and they must be protected,” His Excellency stressed.
The UAE reiterated the unequivocal stance of international humanitarian law, emphasising that civilians and civilian objects should never be the target of attack.
The Ambassador reiterated: “On this, international humanitarian law is unequivocal: civilians and civilian objects must never be the target of attack, and the fundamental principles of proportionality and distinction must be respected.”
The UAE called upon all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law, specifically emphasising the protection of objects vital to the survival of the civilian population.
“We further recall international humanitarian law’s emphasis on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population and call on parties to the conflict to refrain from attacking, destroying, removing, or rendering useless objects that are indispensable to the survival of the civilian population,” His Excellency stated.
Highlighting the global impact of conflict, the UAE stressed the need to find a path forward, drawing attention to the dire situation in Gaza and emphasised the imperative for the Security Council to take decisive measures.
“Around the world, we are confronted by the unacceptable consequences of conflict, as is the case in Gaza, where the scale of civilian suffering shocks the conscience. In such situations, the Security Council is being called upon to act. The maintenance of international peace and security requires all of us to do our utmost to find pathways forward, no matter how difficult,” His Excellency said.
Concluding the statement, the UAE reiterated its support for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine”, in alignment with the principles of the UN Charter, that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
