UAE champions women's role in peacebuilding at UN Security Council
Delivering the UAE's statement, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Mohamed Abushahab stressed the importance of taking tangible steps to reinforce international peace and security, particularly as the world faces rising levels of violence and instability.
He pushed for a whole-of-society approach, highlighting the importance of including women, youth and community leaders in peace processes. 'When peacebuilding is inclusive, the outcomes are more sustainable and resilient,' Abushahab stated, adding that long-term stability depends on the meaningful participation of all segments of society. He added that peace agreements are 35% more likely to last when women are actively involved in the negotiation process.
Emphasising prevention as the first line of defence, he urged the international community to enhance early warning systems and make better use of underutilised tools like Article 34 of the UN Charter, which allows the Security Council to investigate potential threats to peace before they escalate. Abushahab also spotlighted Security Council Resolution 2686, which is co-authored by the UAE and the UK, as a key source for detecting early signs of conflict, including hate speech, racism and acts of extremism.
Addressing the legal and humanitarian dimensions of conflict, Abushahab reaffirmed the need for strict adherence to international humanitarian law. Violations, he warned, only serve to deepen mistrust and make reconciliation more difficult. He highlighted the role that humanitarian actions, such as opening safe corridors or arranging prisoner exchanges, can play in building confidence between parties to a conflict.
The debate, chaired by Pakistan, comes at a time of heightened global instability. The UAE's statement reiterated that investing in preventive diplomacy is not only a moral imperative but also a necessity, capable of saving lives, lowering long-term costs and fostering enduring peace.
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