UAE minister calls for ‘Arab solutions to Arab problems’ at UN talks

UAE Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar on Wednesday called for “Arab solutions to Arab problems” and less foreign interference in the region during the high-level Security Council talks in the UN.

Mr. Al Marar, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the crises in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Somalia and the age-old dispute over decades between Israelis and Palestinians had “imposed high political, economic and humanitarian costs” on the region.

Addressing the Security Council talks on boosting cooperation between the UN and the 22 Arab League nations, Al Marar said the world community would do well to listen to the Arabs and “consider their viewpoints”.

“These countries can bring a unique perspective to the Council on how to break the current impasse in various political processes,” the diplomat said in New York.

“We stress the importance of working on the principle of seeking Arab solutions to Arab problems. This requires, above all, demanding an end to foreign interference in Arab affairs.

He also called for a greater role for women in regional politics, the fight against extremism and the creation of economic opportunities, especially for young people, who make up about 60% of the population of the Arab world. .

Investment in high-tech sectors such as “artificial intelligence, outer space and renewable energy…can unlock promising opportunities for the region and help it emerge from conflict and war “, Mr. Al Marar said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had affected farmers in the breadbasket region which threatened wheat importers in the Middle East and beyond.

Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen import “at least half of their wheat” from Ukraine and Russia, he said.

“Food, fuel and fertilizer prices are skyrocketing,” Guterres said.

“Supply chains are being disrupted…all of this is hitting the poorest hardest and sowing the seeds of political instability and unrest around the world.”

Escalating bloodshed in Eastern Europe is “draining resources and attention” from other crises, including Yemen, where a UN appeal for funds last week got “less than a third” of the $4.3 billion needed this year, Guterres added.

On Iran, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Tehran’s involvement in the Arab region was “unwelcome”. He highlighted concerns about Iran’s development of nuclear weapons and missile technology.

“In Yemen, the [Iran-backed] The Houthi militia continues to refuse political settlement and negotiation,” he said.

“Instead, they threaten their neighbors… through drones and ballistic missiles.”

Council members were expected to adopt a statement on improving ties between the UN and the Arab League.

The UN said the two organizations share a “common mission” to press for peace, increase economic opportunity, involve more people in politics and promote human rights. The two organizations signed a first cooperation agreement in 1989.

The session was one of three key meetings hosted by the UAE in March, when it holds the monthly rotating presidency of the UN Security Council.

The UAE also held sessions on climate change and the protection of women in war zones.

The Emirates and four other countries have joined the council for a two-year term starting January 1.

The council meets regularly on threats to international peace and security and makes the final decisions on resolutions to impose sanctions, authorize the use of military force and launch peacekeeping missions.

Updated: March 23, 2022, 4:08 p.m.