UAE affirms commitment to UN peacekeeping operations

The UAE has affirmed its commitment to supporting the peacekeeping operations of the United Nations (UN).

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, reiterated the UAE's support during his speech at the 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting.

The virtual session was attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to South Korea, and ministers from 50 countries.

During the meeting, Al Sayegh also spoke about the importance of the equal participation of women in peacekeeping and security operations.

"In March, the UAE launched the first national action plan in response to UN Security Council Resolution No.1325 on women, peace and security," he pointed out.

Under this initiative, nearly 375 women from the Middle East, Africa and Asia were trained and supplied with the necessary skills to participate in peacekeeping operations, the minister explained.

Al Sayegh also announced that the UAE has pledged US$10 million for international peacekeeping operations, which will include the training of 200 women in the Khawla bint Al Azwar School, Abu Dhabi over four years to build their capabilities in the security field and enable them to participate in peacekeeping operations.

The UAE’s pledge also includes providing logistical and financial support to the UN to address the short and medium-term needs of peacekeeping operations.