The UAE is hoping to host Forum for the Future, an annual event focusing on sustainability and international peace.
Dr Tareq Al Haidan, Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, expressed the nation’s eagerness to welcome delegates during the forum’s tenth meeting in Cairo on Monday.
Forum for the Future was founded in 1996 by a British academic, Paul Ekins, and environmentalists Sara Parkin and Jonathon Porritt, and works with governments and businesses to promote sustainability.
This year’s forum was co-chaired by Egypt and the UK.
Dr Al Haidan made a speech in which he said the UAE’s international policy was based on moderation and respect of the sovereignty of other states, as well as non-interference in their internal affairs.
He also highlighted the country’s commitment to promoting international peace, stability and sustainable development, reported the state news agency Wam.
“The UAE takes part in the tenth edition of Forum for the Future out of its belief in the importance of partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector, which help to support sustainable development in all sectors, in particular the economy,” said Dr Al Haidan, who led the UAE delegation in Cairo.
He also addressed the importance of solving political conflicts in the region.
“Based on its commitment to the charter of the United Nations and its contribution to the establishment of international peace and security, the UAE underscores the importance of dialogue and the solving of disputes between states through peaceful means, in the Middle East and Arabian Gulf in particular,” Dr Al Haidan said.
“Not discussing the issues does not contribute to the strengthening of the pillars of peace and stability in this region.”
He highlighted the importance of addressing the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
“The goals of this forum can be achieved only through the achievement of peace in the Middle East based on a fair solution providing for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state that peacefully co-exists with Israel as its neighbour, and that is created within the pre-June 4 1967 borders according to the relevant international legitimacy resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the roadmap for peace,” he said.
Other topics Dr Al Haidan touched upon included the role the UAE sees itself playing in the region.
“We are keenly interested in making excellent contributions and supporting regional and international partnerships aimed at building a more stable, secure and just world that is free of all forms of terrorism, extremism, violence and organised crime,” he said.
Stability and security can be found “based on dialogue, religious tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and acceptance of others”.
“Our experience in this context was outstanding and useful for encouraging our civil society to interact with the broader region and to contribute its ideas and proposals alongside others,” he said.
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