ABU DHABI, 26th November, 2024 (WAM) -- On 25th November, the United Arab Emirates participated in the 2024 G7 Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting, held under the Italian Presidency.
The special outreach session, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, brought together leaders from the G7 member states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, as well as high-level representatives from key regional stakeholders including the League of Arab States, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan.
The UAE highlighted the critical need for collaborative dialogue and active diplomacy to address evolving geopolitical challenges, including the humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza, Lebanon, and the broader region.
The UAE’s participation on the opening day of the G7 also included a high-profile contribution in the MED Room Dialogue 2024, a platform for key international partners to discuss and address pressing regional challenges, including security, climate change, economic development, and migration.
The UAE’s involvement underscores its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation, and in advocating for peaceful resolutions and diplomatic efforts to promote security and stability.
The engagements are part of the UAE’s year-long framework of collaboration with the Italian G7 Presidency throughout 2024, having previously participated in ministerial meetings on development, climate, energy, environment, and industry. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, participated in the G7 Summit session on Artificial Intelligence and Energy in June 2024.
During the outreach session, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, emphasised the UAE's commitment to addressing the ongoing crises in the region. She underscored the need for urgent political solutions that comply with international law and the UN Charter, calling for immediate ceasefires in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan, and highlighting the necessity of intensifying both regional and international cooperation to bring an end to these conflicts.
The UAE is unwaveringly dedicated to advancing the Palestinian cause, and affirms its steadfast position in calling for the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in line with the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Al Hashimy highlighted the UAE’s ongoing role in providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza through land, air and sea, including facilitating medical evacuations of the sick and injured, and the establishment of two field hospitals.
With regard to Lebanon, the UAE stressed the critical need to address the political instability and support the election of a president to fill the existing power vacuum. Additionally, the UAE expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Sudan, calling on the Sudanese warring parties to return to dialogue, respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and facilitate safe, urgent, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid.
Lastly, Al Hashimy emphasised that addressing extremism, incitement and hate speech, and promoting tolerance and moderation are key for a sustainable peace in the region.