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The United Arab Emirates, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the African Union (AU), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have held a “High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14, 2025. 

His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya, His Excellency António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and representatives of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) attended the humanitarian conference, along with regional and international countries, and leading international organizations.

The conference aimed to mobilize regional and global support to address Sudan’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and deliver a strong unified call for a humanitarian ceasefire during the month of Ramadan. In this regard, numerous countries joined the UAE’s call for a humanitarian pause, and an end to the war.

His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, stated: “Today, as we approach the holy month of Ramadan, the UAE, together with the Government of Ethiopia, the AU, and IGAD, convened nation states and international organizations in Addis Ababa to renew commitments to alleviate the suffering. 

“As the first conference for Sudan to take place this year, this landmark event will serve as a catalyst for future conferences that are scheduled to assist the people of Sudan. The UAE is steadfastly collaborating with regional, African and international partners to provide assistance by all available means. 

“We urge the warring parties to honor this sacred period by implementing a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure the safe, urgent, and unhindered access of essential humanitarian aid to those most in need, in particular children, the elderly and women.”

More importantly, His Excellency added, there is no “veto” on humanitarian access, and called on the international community to intensify its efforts to ensure that humanitarian assistance is able to reach those in need across the world. His Excellency emphasized that no entity should have the right to arbitrarily challenge lifesaving assistance.

His Excellency underlined that the UAE continues to be one of the leading countries in providing aid to alleviate the humanitarian crisis faced by the brotherly Sudanese people. In this regard, the UAE has provided an additional USD 200 million of humanitarian aid, bringing the total contribution to USD 600.4 million since the outbreak of the conflict. Over the past decade, the UAE has provided USD 3.5 billion in aid to the Sudanese people, underscoring its dedication to helping those in need during times of crisis.

His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast position in calling for an immediate ceasefire, and addressing the severe humanitarian crisis through the provision of urgent relief aid in a way that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people for development and prosperity.

For his part, His Excellency, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, said: “As a close neighbor and sister nation, Ethiopia stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan during these challenging times. Our two countries are deeply interdependent, bound by generations of shared struggles, aspirations, and cultural ties.

“Over the past six years, Ethiopia has actively supported Sudan’s peace and stability and contributed to its economic endeavors by providing electricity through a dedicated transmission line.”

H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, African Union Commission, Chairperson, stated, “The intolerable conflict in Sudan is a testament of a failure of leadership by the belligerents to give their country and all Sudanese a chance to peace, justice, and dignity and the homeland.

“This situation and the continued refusal by those waging this enforced global conflict to release Sudan from war and the continued fracture is one of the greatest moral and political failures of all time. I therefore reiterate yet again for the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces and their allies to immediately and unconditionally embrace a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

“This will pave the way for an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue to address the deep-rooted causes of the conflict and reset Sudan to all constitutional order and standard.”

H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, stated: “The future of millions of Sudanese hangs in the balance, and history has charged us with the responsibility to act. Now more than ever, we must move beyond pledges and focus on practical, coordinated interventions that alleviate the suffering and lay the foundation for long-term recovery for the people and the Republic of Sudan."

Following is the full text of the UAE's statement:

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, and esteemed co-hosts,

I am honored to welcome you all to this High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan. I would like to express my most sincere appreciation to our co-hosts—Ethiopia, the African Union, and IGAD—for their partnership in this critical conference. 

Your Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia: Your leadership knows no bounds. Thank you for bringing us together to the very first humanitarian conference in 2025 for the People of Sudan. From here, many more platforms will be mobilized to address the dire situation in Sudan. 

President Ruto, thank you for your remarks – and Your Excellency, Secretary General Guterres, thank you for being with us as well.  

Excellencies,

For nearly two years, we have witnessed one of the world's gravest humanitarian catastrophes unfold in Sudan. This crisis demands not just our attention, but our immediate and collective action. The presence of such a diverse audience this morning sends a very powerful message – the situation in Sudan must be addressed and we must all address it together. 

In two weeks, the Muslim world will welcome the Blessed Holy Month of Ramadhan. During this sacred time, all parties need to respect the sanctity of these days and accept a humanitarian pause. This would not only reflect the spirit of mercy and compassion that Ramadan embodies but also provide a critical opportunity to ease the immense suffering of the Sudanese people most of whom are women and children. This conference will ensure that humanitarian organizations have the resources to provide aid to the Sudanese people during this holy month.

Since April 2023, the UAE has provided over $400 million to support the Sudanese people in Sudan and neighboring countries who have so generously welcomed Sudanese refugees. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the people of Sudan by announcing an additional $200 million in humanitarian funding. This support reflects our unwavering solidarity since in the last decade alone, we have stood by our brothers and sisters in Sudan with $3.5 billion.  

Excellencies, 

We all agree that the Sudanese people have rights that must be upheld. They have the right to be safe. They have the right to food. They have the right to the basics of life – medical care, clean water, and shelter. 

These rights cannot be politicized, nor should they bechallenged in bureaucratic processes or mechanisms. This forum underscores how important it is for the international community to intensify its efforts to ensure that humanitarian assistance is able to reach those in need. It is essential to highlight that no entity should have the right to arbitrarily challenge lifesaving humanitarian assistance and all parties must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. And should humanitarian assistance be hampered, there should be no hesitation in calling out those responsible.

We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict to immediately guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Sudan, to protect aid workers and humanitarian facilities, and to cease attacks on humanitarian operations.

The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. The UAE stands firm in its support of the Sudanese people.

Thank you