UAE Urges Optimism, Diplomacy, and Multilateralism at UN General Assembly

The UAE is bringing a message of optimism about the future to the UN General Assembly high-level week while doubling down on diplomacy, Lana Nusseibeh, Minister of State, has told The National. In a wide-ranging interview in New York, Ms Nusseibeh laid out her country's key messages and reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism.

“Although it seems that this is a really uncertain time, [...] a challenging time, it is not a time to give up hope. It is not a time to give up optimism about the future. It is not a time to give up diplomacy and a recommitment to multilateralism,” said Ms Nusseibeh.

“I hope to see [...] breakthroughs not only this week, but in the months ahead, because of the meetings that happen here, because of the convenings that happen here, because of the private spaces outside of the media eye as much as possible, where that hard diplomacy can be done, and the peace can be won.”

More than 1,000 bilateral meetings between member states are taking place this week, as behind-the-scenes diplomacy focuses on forging new partnerships and finding solutions to conflicts around the world, particularly in the Middle East. The Iran war continues to affect countries across the region and beyond, with attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a rebel takeover of Yemen's west coast and a growing threat to the Bab Al Mandeb strait, alongside unresolved conflicts in Lebanon, Palestine and Sudan. The UAE was attacked by Iran this year, but despite that, its leaders have insisted on diplomacy, seeking an end not only to the Iran war but also to other conflicts gripping the region.

“We are very much focused on de-escalation and dialogue,” affirmed Ms Nusseibeh. “We walk into this year's General Assembly proud and confident of what we have gone through over the last year. We've learnt some lessons that we'd like to continue to utilise in these conversations that will be happening this week.”

She explained that, with the International Monetary Fund describing the country’s economy as robust, the UAE is seeking to maintain that trajectory. “We need to see dialogue and diplomacy prevail, to come through with a long-term solution on how to create a regional security architecture, where everyone's interests are maintained and protected, but where we all abide by the rule of law,” she added.

The UAE is participating in the main week of the 81st session of the General Assembly, with a high-level delegation led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Emirati officials have held dozens of meetings since last week, focused on conflict resolution, diversifying partnerships, expanding the UAE’s investment portfolio in artificial intelligence, and discussing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepas).

Ms Nusseibeh highlighted that diversification is in the “UAE's DNA”, and that the country has moved away from a hydrocarbon economy towards a renewable-energy economy and a clean nuclear-energy economy, with non-oil GDP now at almost 80 percent.

Addressing the role of the UN, Ms Nusseibeh noted a crisis of confidence in the organization's ability to mediate conflicts, but emphasized that the UAE remains committed to reinforcing what the UN represents and tapping into its potential for peace.

On regional security, she strongly condemned the recent attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia's stability and sovereignty, emphasizing the need to manage non-state actors. She also highlighted the critical turning point for the Board of Peace—of which the UAE is a founding member—and the need to support UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

Regarding Sudan, Ms Nusseibeh described the US draft Security Council resolution proposing a full arms embargo as a very positive initiative, calling for a parallel humanitarian ceasefire and a return to an independent civilian government to stabilize the country.