Today's Edition
ABDULLAH ABU DHAIF (NEW YORK, CAIRO)
Ambassador Maged Abdelfattah Abdelaziz, Permanent Representative of the Arab League at the United Nations, in exclusive remarks to Aletihad, deemed the adoption of the UAE-penned UN Security Council Resolution 2720 a vital advancement for the Palestinian cause.
Abdelaziz underscored that the resolution’s success is a testament to the UAE’s diplomatic team at the Council, signifying a triumph for the Arab bloc. It also offers a definitive political direction for the peace process and the two-state solution, he added.
The UAE’s diplomatic endeavours were spearheaded by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Her Excellency Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Political Affairs, and Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations.
Abdelaziz noted that Resolution 2720 marks a crucial juncture in Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, uniquely proposing measures to safeguard civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian aid delivery, independently of ceasefire agreements.
The resolution, calling for urgent steps to “immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” garnered the backing of 13 Council members, with the United States and Russia abstaining.
Abdelaziz highlighted the substantial international backing for the UAE’s proposal, including the non-opposition of the United States, crediting the country’s wide-ranging diplomatic initiatives.
This resolution, he explained, is one of the outcomes of the ministerial committee’s efforts stemming from the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh, in November 2023.
He noted that the committee has intensified global diplomatic engagement by visiting numerous capitals, advocating for aid delivery and peace process advancements, reflected in the resolution’s adoption.
He elaborated that the resolution exemplifies Emirati diplomacy’s effectiveness and commitment to the Palestinian cause, a top priority demonstrated by the skilful efforts of the Emirati diplomatic mission.
These efforts, involving negotiations with permanent Council members, were pivotal in achieving consensus, Abdelaziz said, noting that, while the step is not final in supporting peace in Palestinian territories, it is crucial and necessary.
The resolution requests the UN Secretary-General to appoint a senior coordinator for humanitarian and reconstruction affairs, responsible for overseeing all non-conflict humanitarian shipments to Gaza and verifying their nature.
Abdelaziz remarked that the Security Council’s resolution bolsters support for Palestine and its self-determination right, a key aspect of which is the potential recognition of the Palestinian State by the United Nations. Present negotiations are centred on implementing the resolution and interpreting it to alleviate Gaza’s humanitarian plight, he added.
He underlined that the resolution, importantly, decouples increased aid delivery from a ceasefire, underscoring the necessity of its access under any circumstances. This inclusion is a significant endorsement of the Palestinian cause, enjoying international consensus that facilitated its unopposed adoption.
The resolution mandates the new coordinator to swiftly establish a UN mechanism for expedited humanitarian aid to Gaza, consulting all relevant entities to hasten assistance delivery while ensuring that it reaches the civilians in need. It also calls for cooperation from conflicting parties with the coordinator’s mandate, unimpeded and promptly.
Abdelaziz said that the Arab League intends to leverage this resolution, aiming to pass further resolutions through diplomatic avenues, ultimately ending Palestinian suffering and ensuring civilian protection, noting that it is committed to utilising all legitimate channels for this purpose.
