Sheikha Lubna pledges UAE’s commitment to UN’s humanitarian efforts

ABU DHABI // Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, has pledged the country’s commitment to the UN and stressed the country’s leading role in providing support and humanitarian aid.

Sheikha Lubna’s remarks were made during an official reception on Monday evening to celebrate UN Day.

“The UN and the UAE have successfully worked together over the years, including providing support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees as well as with Unicef to help battle malnutrition among Syrian children affected by the continuing crisis,” she said, in a speech read on her behalf by Hazaa Al Qahtani, undersecretary of the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development.

Sheikha Lubna said she looked forward in increasing the UAE’s involvement with the UN in the coming years.

Mr Qahtani expressed the UAE’s sympathy and solidarity with the French government.

“I would like to offer my deepest condolences to France and to the French people on last Friday’s terrorist attacks,” he said.

“The United Arab Emirates stands united with France and with other countries around the world in its commitment to combat terrorism.”

This year, October 24 marked the global celebration of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.

The UAE joined the UN in December 1971 after becoming an independent nation.

In September, the UN's 193 members unanimously adopted the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" — aimed at ending poverty and reversing the effects of climate change in 15 years.

The plan includes 17 sustainable development goals, detailed in 169 items, most notably “the eradication of poverty in all its forms and in the world”.

“Today, we have inspiring new plans to guide us — such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — a promise to end poverty and to promote shared prosperity on a healthy planet to which UAE is a significant partner,” said Frode Mauring, the UN resident coordinator.

“More of our work with the UAE government will be highlighted in a common UN website for all UN agencies operating in the UAE.”

The UAE supports all 17 goals and is “a champion in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, and access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all”, Mr Qahtani said.

“The UAE’s commitment to the SDGs can be seen across the world, including at solar power plants in the Pacific Islands, at hospitals in Pakistan and schools across the world, including Somalia and Philippines,” he said.

In a video message, Hind Al Owais, senior adviser at the UN headquarters, the first Emirati woman in the UN, said the UAE will set up UN Women Liaison Office that will work closely with the General Women’s Union.