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Government - Foreign Policy
The UAE’s political leadership operates within the broad foreign policy framework established by the founding President of the Federation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This approach emphasises diplomacy, negotiation and compassion. The UAE is mindful of its commitment to its neighbours and the international community with regard to regional peace, stability and human security for all. To achieve these goals, it has purposefully promoted bridges, partnerships and dialogue. Relying on these tools of engagement has allowed the Government to pursue effective, balanced and wide-ranging ties with the international community.
A guiding principle of UAE foreign policy is the belief in the need for justice in international dealings between states, including the necessity of respecting the principle of non-interference in the sovereign affairs of other nations. The UAE is also committed to peaceful resolution of disputes and backs international institutions to reinforce the rule of international law and implementation of conventions and treaties.
One of the central features of the UAE’s foreign policy has been the development of closer ties with its neighbours in the Arabian Peninsula through the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The developments in Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan and the initiatives required to deal with them formed the core of the UAE dialogue with world leaders during 2010.
The UAE has been steadily working to raise its influence on the global stage. After playing a significant role in Gulf and Arab affairs, it is now taking a more structured position on world affairs. To fulfil this strategy, it has expanded its ties beyond traditional allies in Europe, North America, and the Indian subcontinent, to develop new relationships in other parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America. It also endeavoured to look beyond the traditional geo-political system and focus on issue-based global politics, especially in the energy, climate change and sustainable development arenas, which would broaden its scope of international involvement.
Addressing the sixty-fifth session of the UN General Assembly, which elected the UAE as Vice-President, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised that the international community continues to face significant challenges that demand collective action in all fields. These challenges include international peace and security, stabilisation of economic recovery, achievement of sustainable development, attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, combatting the negative impact of climate change, responding to natural disasters, countering terrorism and regional instability, achievement of peace in the Middle East, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and disarmament.
All these issues demand from us a genuine political will, collective international effort and persistent work in order to promote the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, uphold rules of international law, guarantee justice, and achieve common interests among nations, large and small…In this respect, the United Arab Emirates calls for increasing the effectiveness of multilateralism within the United Nations system and enhancing and improving its effectiveness and management of its work. UAE supports responsible and serious efforts aimed at reforming the United Nations and its principal organs, including the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, as well as other specialised agencies and development programs. We also emphasise the importance of strengthening and developing cooperation between the United Nations and regional organisations. We underscore the role of the United Nations in the peaceful resolution of existing conflicts, in peacekeeping operations and preventive diplomacy and in promoting the culture of peace and international cooperation…
Full text of Sheikh Abdullah’s statement at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly:
Enhancing Global Standing
The Government’s new strategy is to enhance the country’s global standing by:
• Strengthening the role of diplomatic missions abroad
• Strengthening the role of foreign policy in supporting the Government’s strategic objectives in trade and investment
• Ensuring alignment of federal entities with the UAE’s foreign policy and international obligations
• Enhancing the role and representation of the UAE in international organisations
• Ensuring effective representation in the humanitarian aid sector
In order to make good the country’s foreign policy objectives, the UAE has 77 embassies across the world and is aspiring to expand its diplomatic network into east Africa and Latin America.
Palestine
The UAE is dedicated to peace, security and stability in the Arab region, as well as normalisation of relations between all countries and a just and lasting solution to the Middle East conflict. It believes that peace cannot be achieved while the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian and other Arab territories continues; it supports an end to Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, within the context of an agreement based on the principle of ‘land for peace’ and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Following the killing of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Al Mabhouh in the UAE in early 2010, the Government pursued various diplomatic channels to bring the perpetrators to justice. The UAE described it as a crime against the sovereignty and security of the UAE. The Government was deeply concerned that passports of close allies, whose nationals currently enjoy preferential visa waivers, were illegally used to commit this crime. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of these countries continuing intensive investigation and cooperation with the UAE until the culprits were apprehended.
The UAE also strongly deplored the Israeli raid on humanitarian aid carrier Freedom Flotilla in international waters. It also reiterated its call for the removal of the Israeli blockade in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in particular UN Security, Council Resolution 1860 and the need for international cooperation to ensure that Israel is held accountable for its actions.
Iraq
The UAE has been an active supporter of the Iraqi Government in its efforts to draw up a comprehensive political formula to achieve security and stability. The UAE commended the gradual withdrawal of foreign troops and the extension of Iraqi Government authority across the country. The Government also supports the Iraqi people and backs the rebuilding of the country’s security, legislative and economic institutions. It has urged respect for the territorial integrity of Iraq, its sovereignty and independence, and called for safeguarding the Arab and Islamic identity of the country to protect against its disintegration.
The UAE has one of the few functioning Arab embassies and resident ambassadors in Baghdad, and has cancelled debts worth about US$7 billion to support Iraq’s reconstruction efforts.
Iran
Despite a long-running dispute with Iran over the three occupied UAE islands and worries about Iran’s nuclear programme, the UAE has kept open all channels of constructive engagement that could result in a mechanism for confidence-building measures and peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues. Yet, the UAE believes that the Iranian occupation will always be a ‘negative factor’ in bilateral relations between the two countries According to Sheikh Abdullah, ‘Occupation of any Arab land is occupation and is not a misunderstanding.’
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Sheikh Abdullah said:
My Government reiterates in this forum its deep regret at the continued occupation by the Islamic Republic of Iran of the three UAE islands – The Greater Tunb, The Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa – and demands the return of these islands under its full sovereignty, including their regional waters, airspace, continental shelf and their exclusive economic zone, as integral parts of the UAE. The UAE also affirms that all procedures and measures taken by the Iranian authorities since their occupation of these islands are null and void and do not have any legal effect regardless of how long the occupation may last. We call upon the international community to urge Iran to respond to the peaceful and sincere initiatives of the UAE, which call for a just settlement of this issue, either through direct and serious negotiations between the two countries or by referring the issue to the International Court of Justice to settle this dispute in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and provisions of international law…We hope that the Iranian Government will respond positively and fairly to this sensitive and important issue, in order to strengthen neighbourly relations and cooperation in serving the common interests of our two countries, and promote security and stability in the entire region.
With regard to Iran’s nuclear programme, the foreign minister commented:
We urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the international community in order to allay regional and international fears and doubts raised on the nature of its nuclear programme. We also call upon the respective parties to resolve the differences on Iran’s nuclear programme through peaceful means.
Afghanistan/Pakistan
The UAE continues to contribute constructively to the international efforts aimed at stabilising Afghanistan and supporting its bid to restore security. Its financial contributions total US$1.5 billion dollars since the Tokyo Conference in 2009. The UAE is one of only two Muslim contributors of non-combatant troops from 12 non-NATO nations which is part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The Government backs the transition of increasing responsibility to the Afghan authorities.
During 2010, the UAE participated in the NATO summit in Lisbon, the fourth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan in Istanbul and the London conference. Realising the economy-security link, the UAE also hosted an investment conference in October targeting three areas – infrastructure, mining and agriculture.
Sheikh Abdullah’s statement on Afghanistan:
The UAE also reaffirmed its commitment to development and stability in Pakistan because of its strategic depth to security and stability of the region by hosting the Friends of Democratic Pakistan public-private partnership conference in January 2010. In earlier efforts, the UAE hosted the meeting of senior officials of the global forum in November 2008 and the meeting of experts in April 2009. And, at the Tokyo donor conference in April 2009, the UAE offered US$300 million as assistance.
Sheikh Abdullah Reaffirms Support for Pakistan:
Yemen
Apart from multifaceted support to Yemen, the UAE has consistently urged the international community to meaningfully help the country overcome its challenges. In March 2010, the UAE chaired the Economic Committee of the Friends of Yemen, which held its first meeting in Abu Dhabi. The meeting stemmed from the January Summit in London and Riyadh Conference on Yemen in February. The UAE reiterated its commitment to coordinate and collaborate with other countries to support Yemen. Accordingly, the UAE also participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Yemen in New York, in which 27 foreign ministers, representatives of the member states in the group and the international donor organisations were present, as well as through its chairmanship of the Group 1 that is in charge of economy and good governance, in partnership with Germany.
Climate Change Talks
The UAE has steadily increased its diplomatic engagement in international environment and climate change issues. After winning the bid in 2009 to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Convention on the Establishment of IRENA has entered into force with the required quorum. The Convention now has 141 State parties, and ratified by 34 states. The UAE continues to fulfil its obligations and commitments under the hosting agreement of the IAEA in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Under the umbrella of this Agency, the UAE attaches great importance to balanced North-South cooperation and achieving its goals, including developing and disseminating clean and renewable energy applications throughout the world.
In 2010, the UAE established the Directorate of Energy and Climate Change within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has facilitated the Government to play a prominent and constructive role in the climate change negotiations. These initiatives also indicate the country’s willingness to shoulder its international responsibilities and help the world face challenges related to diversifying energy sources. As a key energy producer, the UAE is committed to using its rich resources and huge expertise to develop and apply advanced technologies for generating low carbon clean energy worldwide in future. It has so far pledged US$350 million for renewable energy projects in developing countries, as well as support for small island states.
Full text of Sheikh Abdullah’s statement at COP 16, Cancun, Mexico
Nuclear Developments
The UAE is pursuing a peaceful, civilian nuclear energy programme -- foregoing domestic enrichment and reprocessing of nuclear fuel – which has been described worldwide as a gold standard for countries interested in exploring nuclear energy for civilian purposes, and also spares the region the danger of a destructive nuclear arms race. The Government has published a policy document emphasising the country’s transparent policies and readiness to abide by all related safety and security measures. It has called for making the Gulf Region and the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons.
The UAE participated in the General Debate of the 2010 Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. Addressing the conference, Sheikh Abdullah stressed the UAE’s support for the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy as a right of every state party to the NPT. He also emphasised that the development of peaceful nuclear energy should be conducted in a responsible manner. He emphasised that non-nuclear states should adhere to comprehensive safeguard measures; should cooperate fully with the IAEA in their verification mandate; and should take steps to address any concerns of the international community.
Speaking at the fifty-fourth General Conference of the IAEA in Vienna, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said: ‘The UAE considers international partnership and cooperation as the cornerstone for the success of nuclear energy programmes...We believe that the technologically advanced countries should make increasing efforts to facilitate the uses of peaceful nuclear energy to the less advanced countries.’ In line with this approach, the UAE and the United States signed an implementation arrangement concerning information exchange and cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Statement on “Disarmament and International Security” at United Nations:
Partnership in the Pacific Programme
The UAE hosted a conference titled ‘Introducing Two Worlds – Prospects for Cooperation between the Arab World and the Pacific Islands’ in Abu Dhabi in June. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa, along with foreign ministers of 21 Arab and 14 Pacific countries, as well as observers from Australia and New Zealand, participated in the first meeting between the two blocs. The conference urged more effective integration among the world countries to address global issues including food shortage, water scarcity and climate change. The Pacific Islands countries include Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Nauru, Vanuatu, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. In their final communiqué, the two parties agreed on establishing a Forum for Cooperation, the general secretariat of which will be in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier, building on the first visit of Sheikh Abdullah to the South Pacific region in February 2010, the UAE launched the ‘Partnership in the Pacific Programme’ by committing Dh183 million to finance specific projects and partnerships in the Pacific Islands in key development areas, including renewable energy, education, social and healthcare services as well as infrastructure. The partnership aims to assist individual countries in their own efforts to address social, economic and environmental issues. In the area of climate change, it seeks to establish a new model for country-to-country and country-to-region cooperation to address the domestic and cross-border impacts of climate change.
Other International Partnerships
As the second largest Arab economy, the UAE’s foreign policy is naturally geared towards creating greater commercial opportunities with various partners. An important aspect of the UAE’s foreign policy, therefore, places great emphasis on nurturing an expansion of commercial and investment links with other countries and institutions worldwide. The UAE’s fast-developing position as a financial hub for the region has further solidified and strengthened its position as a member of the global community.
Displaying the UAE’s adaptability to the changing international relations scenario, the UAE’s diversification of diplomatic contacts included Africa and its regional groupings, as well as Latin America. As Asia continued to weather the economic crisis better than other parts of the world, there were ample indications that some of the major Asian countries would play a more influential role in world politics. Without undermining its bond with the West, the UAE leadership sought to develop its relations with Asia as well.
Another key area of UAE’s cooperation has been in the global fight against terrorism. While emphasising the need for a clear definition of terrorism, the UAE has also insisted that state-sponsored terror should not be tolerated. In the process, it has collaborated with countries that have been victims of terrorism through effective information exchange and discussing ways of alleviating social and economic deprivation, which could nurture terrorist recruitment. Further, international partnerships have intensified in the areas of money laundering and human trafficking.
The UAE leadership is committed to ensuring that its foreign policy will continue to be characterised by prudence, support, conciliation and consensus, as well as cooperation with international institutions. At the same time, it is ready to contribute to defending the rights of the weak and vulnerable states.
Other Notable Developments
• More than 20 leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and foreign ministers from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America convened in Abu Dhabi to participate in the Sir Bani Yas Forum on Peace and Global Security. Organised by the UAE in cooperation with the New York-based think tank International Peace Institute, the forum was aimed at fostering discussions on the ‘pivotal challenges that face peace and security in the Middle East region’. Addressing the forum, Sheikh Abdullah said that there is a ‘widening gap’ between the difficulty of problems facing the world now and the ability of decision-making blocs around the world to solve them. He emphasised that ‘the UAE lends its full support to finding solutions to the local problems facing the region…’
• The UAE’s proactive and leadership role on climate change issues were recognised by the United Nations through the appointment of Sheikh Abdullah to a 21-member panel tasked with finding ways to tackle climate change without hindering economic growth. The body will devise a blueprint for a new liveable, prosperous and sustainable future for all by addressing the global threats of poverty, security and shortages of food, water and energy. The body will be co-chaired by the presidents of South Africa and Finland, Jacob Zuma and Tarja Halonen, and publish a report in December 2011.
• The UAE was chosen to be a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The board includes 35 countries from the Middle East and South Asia and opens the door for the UAE to play a constructive role while dealing with nuclear non-proliferation issues and international expansion in the field of clean energy use and the peaceful use of atomic energy.
• The UAE participated in the ‘Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia’ conference in Istanbul in June. The three-day multinational Forum was aimed at enhancing cooperation to promote peace, security and stability in Asia. The Forum was based on the recognition that there is a close link between peace, security and stability in Asia and the rest of the world.
• During Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the UAE in November, Sheikh Abdullah and British Foreign Secretary William Hague signed the 2010 Abu Dhabi Declaration, reaffirming the 1971 Treaty of Friendship between the UAE and the United Kingdom.
‘Britain and the UAE: Partnership for our Times,’ By Sheikh Abdullah:
• Speaking at the Security Dialogue Forum in Manama, organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Security, Sheikh Abdullah said that openness and engagement with the international community was beneficial to everyone’s security.
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I believe that it offers a positive, alternative, vision of the Gulf region’s place in the world, and a recognition that real security comes not from erecting fences or walls...It is my firm belief that, firstly, the best guarantor of security is sustainable economic and social development. Extremism feeds on lack of hope and opportunity, particularly among our youth. And, secondly, that openness and engagement with the international community is beneficial to everyone’s security. Whether through sport or trade, culture or political dialogue, international exchange gives people a shared stake in a positive and peaceful future.