Iran talks key in shaping Middle East's new order, says Dr Anwar Gargash

Goal is to create 'functional' relationship with Tehran to improve stability for the region

A functional working relationship with Iran is crucial to the future of stability in the Middle East, a senior UAE official has said.

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, said the UAE was reaching out to all sides in the region in a bid to reduce tensions.

“We are reaching out to friends and also adversaries to build bridges,” he said in a panel session on the opening day of the World Government Summit, at Expo 2020 Dubai.

We are not going to agree with everything they [Iran] want to do. Our whole intention is to find a way to functionally work with Iran and ensure there is an agenda for stability

Dr Anwar Gargash,
Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President

“We are not going to agree with everything they want to do. The Middle East is not only about Iran and Israel.

“Our whole intention is to find a way to functionally work with Iran and ensure there is an agenda for stability and prosperity in the region that includes Iran, and others.

“The other important element is that energy is coming back as a major component of Middle East issues.”

Earlier this month, Dr Gargash said the UAE would play an important role in dialogue to resolve crises in the Arab World, citing the recent visit of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad as an example of astute diplomacy.

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  Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, listen to 'ethical hacker' David Colombo speak at a session at the World Government Summit 2022. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Colombo, founder and chief executive of the Colombo Technology cyber security company, at the summit. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attends the World Government Summit in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office

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  Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at the summit. Photo: Dubai Media Office

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  George Friedman, founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures, at the summit. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The summit will conclude on Wednesday. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A visitor steps on to a self-driving vehicle at the summit. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Thousands of delegates and hundreds of speakers are attending the summit. Pawan Singh / The National

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  CNBC anchor Hadley Gamble, left, moderates a panel discussion featuring the UAE's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Iraqi Kurdistan's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. AFP

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  People arrive at the World Government Summit, being held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Pawan Singh / The National

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  People arrive at the World Government Summit, being held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A poster shows Elon Musk, a speaker at a previous year's event. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Delegates at the World Government Summit 2022. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The conference centre at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The auditorium is one of the major buildings that will remain in place after the world's fair ends. Pawan Singh / The National

Although relations with the Syrian government and the rest of the Arab world had been restored, no decision has been made on its involvement with the Arab summit scheduled for November in Algeria.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, recently said the Syrian regime was unlikely to be readmitted due to a lack of consensus from other nations.

Dr Gargash said issues between democracy and authoritarianism were not binary, with the pandemic highlighting the pros and cons of good governance.

“Ultimately, you need something in the middle of both,” he said.

“Every democratic attempt in the Arab world has turned ideological or tribal, so I’m not sure it is something we can work out successfully.

“But we do need governance, and that needs a lot of components. This is perhaps in the middle of the two.”

At the same session titled “Are we ready for a new world order?", Frederick Kempe, president and chief executive of the Atlantic Council, said legitimacy in governments accepted by citizens was the most effective way to build societies.

People want freedom, human rights and governments to ensure order, safety and healthcare

Frederick Kempe,
President of the Atlantic Council

“The issue is having an effective government and whether people consider it legitimate,” he said. “Democracy is one way to achieve it, but there are other ways.

“Legitimacy is gained by governments that can deliver the goods and effectiveness to their people.

“People want freedom, human rights and governments to ensure order, safety and health care.

“This new era of technological change is getting fast all the time, and they can be used to enlighten and deliver better government services.”