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Gulf Today reporter
The United Arab Emirates has announced its intention to commemorate the International Day of Peace, which is observed annually on September 21, together with the international community.
The UAE has a proud history of advocating for global peace and stability and has played a pivotal role in launching development initiatives that foster progress and prosperity for its people.
This year coincides with the UAE rising 31 places in the Global Peace Index, released in June by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace.
In 2024, the UAE continued to pursue a diplomatic approach that prioritizes peace, leveraging its capabilities to foster dialogue, defuse global conflicts, and provide assistance to people affected by various regional crises.
The UAE reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting peace and justice, protecting the rights of the Palestinian people, achieving a two-State solution and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, in accordance with the legitimacy of international law resolutions and relevant agreements, with the goal of ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The UAE also stressed that the establishment of stability and security in the Palestinian Territories and surrounding areas depends on an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of all prisoners and hostages. The UAE further expressed its support for the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly last Wednesday calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories within one year.
In May last year, the UAE introduced a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly proposing to grant full member state status to the State of Palestine. The Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of approving the resolution, marking a historic step towards achieving peace and a two-state solution.
The UAE has consistently been committed to promoting peace initiatives in Sudan. On April 17, the UAE pledged $100 million for humanitarian efforts in Sudan and neighboring countries during its participation in the International Humanitarian Conference on Sudan in Paris, France.
In June, the UAE submitted a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) calling for immediate action to avert an imminent famine in Sudan. The letter also stated the UAE’s support for all efforts to achieve a ceasefire and the return of a legitimate government that represents the entire Sudanese people.
In September, the UAE announced it would launch a new humanitarian operation in Chad and pledged to donate $10.25 million to the United Nations to support Sudanese refugee women affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
In this regard, the UAE welcomed the statement by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on July 25 regarding the agreement reached between Yemeni factions on Yemen’s airline and banking sectors, which the UAE considered a positive step towards a political solution that would realize the aspirations of its people for security, development and stability.
This year, the UAE has brokered eight prisoner exchanges between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, bringing the total number of prisoners exchanged between the two countries as a result of the UAE’s mediation efforts to 1,994.
The UAE reaffirmed its position as an advocate of diplomatic negotiations, constructive dialogue and preventing the further escalation of the crisis. It is extending its support to efforts aimed at mitigating the humanitarian impact of the crisis, including with regard to refugees and prisoners.
In a separate initiative, the Women’s Coalition, working with the Ministry of Defense and in coordination with the UN Women’s Liaison Office in Abu Dhabi, launched the fourth phase of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women in Peace and Security Programme in June.
The initiative’s training programs aim to enhance women’s capacities in the field of peace and security, promote networking among women serving in military and peacekeeping operations, increase women’s representation in the military and peacekeeping sectors, and optimize the operational efficiency of peacekeeping forces.