Ahmed Al Sayegh heads UAE delegation to 48th session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers

A UAE delegation, led by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, participated in the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Islamabad. The session was held under the theme “Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development”.

During the session, which was inaugurated by Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Al Sayegh delivered a speech lauding the efforts of Saudi Arabia to promote unity and solidarity, to help the organisation achieve its objectives.

The UAE believes that security and development are two vital and complementary factors, he said, noting that amidst the health, economic and social challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the international community realised the importance of cooperation and joint action to mitigate the repercussions of the pandemic.

Due to its noteworthy efforts, the UAE has managed to overcome a variety of challenges at various levels, in health, development, and economics and is now witnessing a period of economic recovery and the near return to pre-pandemic life, along with the hosting of many international events, he further added.

Al Sayegh then addressed the attacks by the terrorist Houthi militias against civilian facilities in the UAE and the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing that the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2624 has listed the Houthis as a terrorist organisation, adding that the European Union (EU) also designated it as a terrorist group. This was due to the violations it committed against Yemeni citizens and the international community, and its responsibility for cross-border terrorist attacks on civilians and infrastructure, as well as obstruction of humanitarian access.

He also expressed the UAE’s appreciation for the solidarity of friendly and brotherly countries after the terrorist attacks it faced in January 2022, which violated international and humanitarian laws. Furthermore, he underscored that the UAE will not tolerate any threat to its security, and that it has the full legal and moral right to defend its lands, people and sovereignty.

Al Sayegh then urged all communities and countries to work together to ensure security and stability in Afghanistan and help achieve its development, to provide decent lives for the Afghan people, noting that the UAE has, during the few last years, launched related developmental projects valued at over US$227 million.

The meetings were also attended by Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan.