UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in a multilateral meeting hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump in New York, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The high-level gathering focused on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and brought together senior leaders and officials from key regional and Muslim-majority countries. The meeting lasted approximately 50 minutes and included heads of state and top diplomats from Qatar, Jordan, Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and others.
Among those in attendance were Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Discussions centered on efforts to end hostilities in Gaza, facilitate the release of hostages and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to affected civilians. The leaders addressed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the region and stressed the need for coordinated international engagement to prevent further escalation of violence.
Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire and called for full compliance with international humanitarian law. He emphasized the importance of unified regional cooperation in addressing the humanitarian crisis and reducing tensions. The UAE foreign minister also urged action to secure the release of all hostages and protect civilian lives. The UAE delegation to the meeting also included Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, who has played a central role in maintaining UAE-U.S. diplomatic engagement.
Sheikh Abdullah emphasizes urgent need for de-escalation in Gaza
The meeting marked one of the highest-level gatherings focused on the Gaza conflict since the recent intensification of hostilities and came as global leaders converged at the UN headquarters for annual deliberations. King Abdullah II of Jordan also participated in the meeting and underscored the importance of U.S. cooperation in developing a comprehensive plan to address the situation in Gaza. He stressed the urgency of implementing a permanent ceasefire and highlighted the need to preserve the existing status quo in Jerusalem and the West Bank, warning against actions that could destabilize the region further.
The multilateral session was held amid growing international concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict and increasing calls for a political resolution. Leaders in attendance voiced support for multilateral efforts through the United Nations and affirmed the role of regional stakeholders in facilitating de-escalation and ensuring humanitarian access. Following the high-level talks, Sheikh Abdullah held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from countries including Vietnam, Austria, Estonia, Chad, the Netherlands, Uruguay and Morocco.
UAE’s multilateral role continues through Security Council platform
These meetings covered areas of mutual interest, including trade, climate cooperation, food security and technology transfer. Discussions also explored opportunities to enhance educational exchange and economic partnerships. The UAE’s participation in the multilateral meeting aligns with its broader approach at the UN General Assembly to advance diplomacy, support international peace initiatives and engage with global partners on security and development issues. The country has emphasized the need for rules-based international cooperation in responding to regional conflicts and humanitarian emergencies.
As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2022–2023 term, the UAE continues to participate in deliberations on global security matters, with particular focus on the Middle East. Its foreign policy remains centered on fostering dialogue, promoting regional stability and supporting multilateral initiatives aimed at conflict resolution. The gathering in New York marked a rare in-person convergence of regional leaders with the U.S. president during a critical juncture in the Gaza conflict, reflecting growing momentum behind efforts to reduce violence and address humanitarian needs on the ground. – By Content Syndication Services.