Consolidating joint Arab action remains a goal of our foreign policy, says Sheikh Mohammed

The Ruler of Dubai is leading the UAE delegation at Arab summit in Algeria

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attends the 31st Arab Summit as the head of the UAE delegation. Photo: The Government of Dubai Media Office

The two-day summit commenced in the Algerian capital Algiers. Photo: The Government of Dubai Media Office

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Arab League secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit attend a session at the 31st Arab League summit in Algiers. Reuters

The two-day summit ended on Wednesday. EPA

Arab leaders issued a communique in which they renewed their support for Palestinians and rejected 'foreign interference' in the domestic affairs of their nations ― a thinly veiled reference to Iran and Turkey. Reuters

This was the first Arab League summit since a string of normalisation deals with Israel that have divided the region. AFP

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati arrives to attend the closing ceremony of the summit. AFP

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrives to attend the closing ceremony. EPA

Sudanese leader Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan arrives at the venue of the summit to attend the closing ceremony. EPA

Arab leaders pose for a group photo during the summit. EPA

Tunisian President Kais Saied speaks during the opening ceremony. EPA

Mr El Sisi attends the opening ceremony. EPA

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas leaves after the opening ceremony. AFP

Mr Tebboune reaches for the microphone after the opening ceremony. AFP

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, is greeted by Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane upon his arrival in Algiers for the summit. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Mr El Sisi shakes hands with Mr Tebboune before the start of the summit in Algiers. Reuters

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, right, receives UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres before his appearance at the summit as a guest of honour. AP

Mr Tebboune, right, welcomes Gen Al Burhan in Algiers. AFP

Mr Tebboune, right, welcomes President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers. EPA

Mr Tebboune receives Mr Saied, the Tunisian leader, upon his arrival in Algiers. EPA

Ministers and delegates attend a preparatory meeting on Tuesday before the start of the two-day summit. AP

Ministers and delegates attend a meeting before the 31st Arab League summit begins. AP

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, centre, arrives in Algiers to attend the summit. AP

Mr Tebboune, right, greets Mr Abbas at Houari Boumediene International Airport before the start of the summit. EPA

Mr Tebboune, right, receives Mohamed Al Menfi, President of the Libyan Presidential Council. EPA

Mr Tebboune, right, greets Macky Sall, African Union President, President of Senegal and guest of honour at the Arab League summit. EPA

Consolidation of Arab action remains an important goal of UAE's foreign policy, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, after he participated in meetings on the first day of the Arab summit.

Sheikh Mohammed arrived in Algiers on Tuesday and was received by Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane at Houari Boumediene International Airport.

“Today, I participated in the Arab summit meetings in Algeria,” said Sheikh Mohammed on Twitter.

“Our stance over the past 50 years has been consistent in support of Arab issues and will remain so. Consolidating our joint Arab action will remain a major goal in our foreign policy.”

Sheikh Mohammed’s emphasis on joint Arab action was echoed by the summit’s host, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who in his first address called for the creation of an Arab economic bloc.

“We must regain our self-confidence so we can be an effective force on the global scene and in the international economy,” he said.

“All of us must create a formidable Arab economic bloc that safeguards our joint interests, identify the priorities and focus on the field of joint endeavours.”

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit also touched on the necessity of consolidating Arab action when he addressed the summit on Tuesday night.

“Our Arab states are in a desperate need for a comprehensive strategy to deal with this ‘enduring crisis situation’,” he said.

“The matter needs a great deal of thinking to fortify Arab societies and reinforce their steadfastness in the face of the shocks and calamities.”

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister; Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President; Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy; Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation; Khalifa Al Marar, Minister of State; Khalifa Sulaiman, Chairman of Protocols for the Vice President and Prime Minister; Yousef Al Ali, UAE's ambassador to Algeria, and Mariam Al Kaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE in the Arab League.

This is the first Arab summit in three years and leaders attending the event will sit down to discuss the multitude of challenges and crises facing the region. The Arab League has 21 members.

The coronavirus pandemic prevented the annual summit from being held in 2020 and 2021.

Mr Tebboune is presiding over the event. The Algerian president said the summit is taking place amid escalating “tensions and crises” as he called for Arab unity during opening speech.

He said that “exceptional global conditions are creating polarisation … which is impacting our food security.”

“Regional and international context are marked by rising tensions and crises, particularly in the Arab world, which in its modern history hasn't seen a period as difficult as the one it is currently undergoing,” he said.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the outcome of the summit will have a strong response towards Iran and Turkey's interference in Baghdad's internal affairs.

“The Iranian and Turkish interferences in Iraq are not accepted and will have regional response if it continues,” Mr Fuad said.

“We are seeking to resolve the contentious points with Iran and Turkey through dialogue,” he said.

Mr Hussein said Iraq will not be an “arena for regional and international conflicts” and the new government in Baghdad “wants to continue to improve relations with the region”.

Iraq has repeatedly said it does not want its territory to become a battleground for a proxy war between the US and Iran.

The countries are at odds over Iran’s nuclear programme and support for armed groups in the region.

Algeria chose the date of the summit to coincide with the 68th anniversary of the start of its War of Liberation from French rule, giving the two-day meeting added significance and bolstering its image as a champion of Arab causes.

The summit also comes at a time when Algeria’s large oil and gas exports to western Europe have boosted the country’s international standing, given the energy crisis created by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also arrived in Algiers on Tuesday to attend the summit as an observer.