UAE Foreign Policy

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, commended the role of UAE ambassadors abroad, praising their efforts in enhancing bilateral relations between the UAE and other countries in the world, and the progress such relations witness. He also expressed appreciation for their efforts in enriching the diplomatic performance, asserting the importance of continuing work on the same level, keeping the same approach and foundations of the UAE foreign policy.

“The UAE holds an influential position in several international and regional organizations, and have many friends all over the world. We look forward to bolstering our relations with the fast growing countries, such as India, Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa.”

While H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, said: “The UAE extends a hand of integrity, peace and giving to the countries and people of the world, building bridges of understanding between our people and others, especially in the poor countries which we, as a leadership, seek to provide with the essentials of good life through humanitarian initiatives that focus on health and education; the main factors of social stability and welfare."

Meanwhile, H.H. General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander  of the UAE Armed Forces asserted “the importance of diplomacy and its role in supporting connection and collaboration with other countries of the world.” His highness further called for “highlighting the UAE's leading position and its economic development, as well as its values of co-existence and tolerance and human interaction, to open the doors for more fruitful collaboration with all other countries in the world.” He also noted that “since its establishment, the UAE has adopted a well-balanced policy towards regional and international issues, which has earned utmost respect and appreciation, and made it an influential player on various international arenas.”

Mindful of the significance of its human rights record, the UAE is investing its energies in the bringing up to date of its own laws and practices. The Government is also aware of the need to place a high priority on respect for human rights in accordance with international human charters and customs. This is based upon the country’s cultural heritage and religious values, which enshrine justice, equality and tolerance.

Foreign aid is one of the top priorities in the UAE's external relations approach. The philosophy behind this is two-fold: first, it is dictated by an Islamic belief that helping those in need is a primary duty; and second, that part of the country’s wealth from oil and gas should be devoted to assisting other countries and individuals that are less fortunate.

The country continuously extends its financial and humanitarian aid to several countries, whether through development programs, infrastructure projects, or offering aid to countries suffering from wars and natural disasters directly or indirectly, through the UAE's membership in the donor countries' group in the OCHA, as well as contributing to other UN programs and with other organizations in the fields.  

Overall, during the last three-and-a-half decades, the UAE has contributed more than Dh255 billion (US$70 bn) in loans, grants and assistance for development projects in nearly 100 countries around the world. While much of the assistance is provided on a government-to-government basis, the country is also a major contributor to international agencies, having made Dh100 billion (US$27 bn) available through the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The Government has established a new body to coordinate all the humanitarian efforts undertaken by the UAE. Called the UAE Foreign Aid Coordination Office (FACO) and set up in collaboration with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the new forum is chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This will lead to the UAE becoming more involved at the multilateral level rather than focusing on support through traditional bilateral means.

The UAE has also set up various foundations to undertake this major humanitarian role, including the Abu Dhabi Development Fund, the Khalifa Charity Foundation, the Red Crescent Society, the Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Foundation, Noor Dubai Initiative which was launched recently with the objective of treating one million people suffering from eye diseases in Africa and Asia.

Driven by the conception: the world is one global village, the UAE rolled out a series of initiatives, such as ‘Dubai, the City that Cares’, which cares mainly for providing educational services to more than four million children in 14 countries in Africa and Southern Asia and the Middle East, through partnerships wit several organizations around the world.

The Purpose of this initiative is to encourage efforts to apply the Millennium Development Goals and providing the opportunities and services of basic education by the year 2015 to all children in the world, regardless of their nationalities and races.

 Through the efforts of President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE plays a major role in the council towards enhancing common cooperation, and increasing the council's effectiveness by realizing the integrated political, economic, security and social goals through practical real steps.

 Since its establishment, the UAE has been working along its sister nations in the GCC and the Arab League and other groups to support all efforts and diplomatic moves to contain conflicts in the Middle East and the Gulf Region, continuously emphasizing the importance of amicable disputes resolution.

 The country also asserted its commitment towards supporting the GCC common work and developing mutual relations with member countries through creating bilateral agreements, communicating, and consulting through mutual visits on all levels, to enhance the strength of the Council and its countries.

 The UAE, which has always called for wisdom and reason in international relations, and working towards a world of justice and equality, is still being tested in this aspect, as Iran occupies three of its islands, namely the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa islands. With all the wisdom and reason the UAE is well-known for called on Iran for dialogue to solve the dilemma. The major call was the one by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who urged Iran to respond to the peaceful efforts saying: “Driven by our beliefs in dispute solving among countries, we, again, call on Iran to show its good will and enter direct and peaceful negotiations to settle the issue of our occupied islands, or agree to relate the case as a whole to the International Court of Justice, expressing our readiness to accept the ruling regardless of the results.” 

 Calls from the UAE in this direction have never stopped. In his speech in front of the 63rd UN General Assembly on September 27th, 2008, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, asserted that “the continuing occupation by Iran to three of the UAE islands since 1971 is a central issue for our country.” He reiterated demands by the UAE to “regain full sovereignty over those islands, their regional waters, and air space as an integral part of the UAE's national sovereignty.”

To Emphasize the importance of dialogue to solve the issue, asserting that it does not mean compromising the rights, the UAE has always reiterated that "all the military and administrative measures still being taken by Iran since the occupation of the islands are illegal and non compliant with the UN Conventions and the International Law or good neighborliness, and they have no legal effects regardless of how long they last".

In order for the issue to be taken to the global stage, the UAE called on the international society to encourage Iran to respond with honest calls by the UAE and the GCC and the Arab League to accept settlement of the issue through serious direct negotiations, or by the International Court of Justice.

Iraq

Ordeals pose opportunities to show generous and noble positions. In our Arab region, there are many ordeals that caused suffering of people and countries, paving the way for the UAE to show its noble and generous deeds, whether in support or financial aid. Iraqis still remember that the UAE was among the first countries that supported Iraq and its people. The UAE still supports the political process in Iraq as well as its rebuilding efforts, and looks hopefully towards the efforts that the Iraqi government exerts to achieve national unity and security in the country.

 In this regard, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the UAE, asserted while receiving Mr. Nouri Al Malki, Prime Minister of Iraq on July 7th, 2008, that “The UAE has decided to cancel all Iraqi debts, worth US$ four billion, offered over a period of time to the country, in addition to all its interests.”

 H.H. Sheikh Khalifa further explained: “The decision of the UAE to waive all its debts of Iraq is an expression of the deep brotherly and solidarity between both countries, and a support to the Iraqi government to implement its restructuring and rebuilding plans and projects,” calling on other countries to help Iraq in all ways possible to achieve this goal, and adding that “The UAE is announcing the reopening of its embassy in Baghdad, driven by the importance of connecting Iraq with its Arab neighbors.”

The UAE has always been supporting the Palestinian case and constantly asserted its strong belief that “the settlement of the Middle East issues can never be achieved with the occupation, settlement, and blockades that face the Palestinian people, who currently undergo the worst human crisis due to the killing and destruction and group arrests” and that “continuing the -Israeli- occupation will definitely lead to more violence and lack of security, not only in the lands occupied by -Israel-, but also in the entire region".

Sudan

The UAE never hesitated to extend its aid to Sudan as well. In supporting the efforts to solve the Darfur issue, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah hailed the efforts of the UN and the African Union to solve the crisis and reach a peaceful settlement, within full commitment to respect the sovereignty of Sudan. 

The world has been facing the sinister threat of terrorism. Concerting efforts to combat this evil and beforehand, taking a stand towards it, is most essential given the various definitions presented to the word.

A distinctive trait of UAE policy lies in its harmony with its essence in terms of identity, thoughts and beliefs that have helped the country in creating a balanced stance with regards to evolving global concerns. This enabled the UAE to highlight the humane sides of the Arabian and Islamic heritage, and presenting it to the world, as well as highlighting the levels of awareness and modernity that the region and the nation reached.

In this regard,  H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs asserted in his speech before of the 63rd UN General Assembly on September 27th, 2008, that the UAE is effectively cooperating with all efforts aiming at eradicating terrorism in all its forms, including money laundering, adding that “the UAE will continue its efforts in this regard to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and diminish all its resources, reiterating our commitment towards supporting all efforts made to enhance dialogue and tolerance among religions.” 

The UAE is always present to support all activities for the good and justice in the world, and respecting the humanity of people and offering a helping hand. Taking this into consideration, the country has given special attention to women and their issues, especially in the developing countries by encouraging the international community on March 4th, 2008 to continue with global efforts to extend political and financial support to help millions of women in the developing countries. The call was to help women improve their quality of life, fight poverty & diseases, and armed conflicts in line with the UN Conventions and the human rights principles and the Declaration of the Millennium and the Beijing action plan.   The UAE has also demanded, during the 52nd meeting of the UN Women Committee, that support and aid to the Palestinian women and people continue, and that a peaceful comprehensive solution is set to end the suffering of those women and their people due to the violence of the “Israeli” occupation", adding that the ongoing violence and occupation is a major concern of the UAE.