UAE calls for Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN Security Council

The UAE has called on the United Nations Security Council to urgently adopt a humanitarian ceasefire resolution as the situation in the Gaza Strip is "catastrophic" and "close to irreversible".

In a statement, the UAE Mission to the UN said the Council needs to act decisively to demand a humanitarian ceasefire. 

This comes after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the founding UN Charter, for the first time since his tenure began, allowing him to bring any matter that threatens "international peace and security" to the attention of the Security Council.  

The UAE has given the Council a brief draft resolution and aims to put it to a vote on Friday when the Council is due to be briefed by Guterres on Gaza. 

"The UAE draft resolution has the support of the Arab and OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) group. This is a moral and humanitarian imperative and we urge all countries to support the call of the Secretary-General," the UAE mission to the UN posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The UAE calls for a humanitarian ceasefire resolution to be adopted urgently and has just submitted a draft to the UNSC.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic and close to irreversible. We cannot wait. The Council needs to act decisively to demand a humanitarian… https://t.co/mDr4c2F2FP

— UAE Mission to the UN (@UAEMissionToUN) December 6, 2023

In a statement on Wednesday, Guterres urged the Council to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe and appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.

I've just invoked Art.99 of the UN Charter - for the 1st time in my tenure as Secretary-General.

Facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, I urge the Council to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe & appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared. pic.twitter.com/pA0eRXZnFJ

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 6, 2023

To be adopted, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the five permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, France, or Britain.