The UAE's voice at the G20

Why global institutions such as the G20 are still our best hope for solving the world’s greatest challenges

Leaders listen to the opening remarks of King Salman of Saudi Arabia at this year's G20. AFP

Out of every global crisis emerges the need for countries to recommit to multilateralism and recognise that few nations prosper alone when global challenges threaten the wellbeing of all. This year, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the G20 has epitomised this commitment.

As one of the world’s most prominent economic forums, the G20 is now a symbol of global resilience and cooperation. Having risen to prominence out of the 2007-08 global recession, the G20 has proved to be the most effective platform to address the significant economic difficulties brought on by the pandemic and enable the recovery ahead of us.

Already, the G20 has proved itself a symbol of hope and reassurance in this time of great uncertainty. During the Extraordinary Leaders' Summit on Covid-19, held on March 26, G20 members committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the pandemic while protecting jobs, preserving financial stability, minimising trade disruptions and enhancing global health cooperation. While the impulse of some countries was to enact protectionist measures to safeguard the public, the G20 has remained steadfast and served as a reminder to the international community that a coordinated response, built upon information sharing and common economic and financial guidance, would ultimately benefit all.

Invited to this year’s events, in its capacity as Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UAE came to the G20 Summit with a firm commitment to support and promote multilateral engagement. A key element of the UAE’s approach was to use its voice at the forum to elevate those of others, notably small and under-represented countries. This strategy was a natural extension of the UAE’s foreign policy, which has always been to support our partners around the world, to ensure various perspectives are heard when it comes to the global challenges which affect us all.

Even during the most dire moments of the pandemic, the UAE worked to ensure supply chains remained open, regardless of political differences or geographic proximity, from Iran to China, from Italy to Colombia, and from Kenya to beyond. Alongside these efforts, the UAE has distributed over 1,613 tonnes of medical and food assistance to 120 countries since the start of the pandemic, benefiting 1.6 million medical professionals around the world.

These links will be invaluable as we near the release of a successful Covid-19 vaccine. The UAE is prepared to play a major role in ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine once available. The “leave no one behind” principle has been the backbone of the G20’s efforts to develop a cohesive response to Covid-19. Now, more than ever, solidarity with those in need has proven essential, and unilateralism has become a relic of a bygone age.

With globalisation the dominant force in today’s international system, those that attempt to act alone may quickly find that they fall behind. As a young nation approaching 50 years since its foundation, the UAE has placed open exchange and global interaction at the heart of its developmental approach.

None of the UAE’s recent accomplishments – the upcoming World Expo to be held for the first time in the Middle East, the signing of the Abraham Accords with Israel and the US, the establishment of the region’s first peaceful nuclear power plant at Barakah, or the first Arab exploratory mission to Mars – could be realised without our international partnerships and our recognition of the rich expertise and knowledge that other countries can share with us.

We must remember that the pandemic is only one challenge ahead of us. Climate change, economic inequality, food insecurity and regional instability remain formidable global issues. For this reason, the UAE stands ready to champion the spirit of the G20 as we continue to express our strong commitment to openness and belief in the value of multilateralism.

The final Leaders’ Declaration has left us with a powerful message to guide our work ahead: “we, the G20 Leaders, stand united in our conviction that coordinated global action, solidarity, and multilateral cooperation, are more necessary today than ever to overcome the current challenges and realise the opportunities of the 21st century for all by empowering people, safeguarding the planet, and shaping new frontiers.”

Ahmed Al Sayegh is a UAE Minister of State and UAE Sherpa for the G20