UAE wins presidency of General Assembly of UN-Habitat
Shared achievement with Malaysia
This well-deserved and unprecedented achievement was shared with the Republic of Malaysia, following a highly competitive election during the Assembly meetings being held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Reinforcing UAE's global leadership in urban development
This international recognition reaffirms the UAE's leading role in supporting sustainable urban development, housing initiatives, and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UN-Habitat General Assembly's global role
The UN-Habitat General Assembly, composed of 193 member states, is the programme's highest decision-making body. It is responsible for guiding global policies aimed at improving living conditions in cities and enhancing the quality of life in urban communities.
UAE's vision for sustainable urban environments
On this occasion, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, expressed his pride and honour in this international achievement, which adds to the UAE's distinguished record of successes.
Strategic priority for housing and urban development
He emphasised that the UAE's election as President of the UN-Habitat General Assembly is a recognition of its significant efforts, guided by the vision of its wise leadership, in establishing the nation as a comprehensive model for adequate housing and sustainable urban environments.
Achievements of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme
Al Mazrouei said, 'This remarkable achievement reflects the vision and directives of the UAE's wise leadership, which has made housing and urban development a strategic priority, recognising it as a fundamental pillar for social stability and quality of life..."
Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals
He affirmed that the UAE will leverage this leadership role to support the implementation of Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which focuses on 'making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.'
Promoting innovation and international dialogue
He also pointed out that the joint presidency with Malaysia and membership in the UN-Habitat Executive Board will open new avenues for strengthening dialogue among member states and for exchanging the best international experiences and practices.
Strengthening global partnerships and action plans
The Minister continued, 'We will continue working with member states, civil society organisations, and the private sector to develop clear visions and innovative action plans that meet the needs of global communities..."
Recognition of national efforts and collaboration
For his part, Eng Mohamed Al Mansouri, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, said, 'This achievement is a true reflection of the UAE's dedicated efforts in developing a sustainable and smart urban housing system..."
Enhancing global standing in urban housing
Al Mansouri also extended his appreciation to the national team from the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in Nairobi, for their outstanding efforts over the past three and a half years...
Advancing UAE's role in future urban policies
He further noted that the UAE's presidency of the UN-Habitat General Assembly will bolster its status as an influential international partner in shaping future urban policies and support the country's drive to maintain momentum in sustainable development efforts both regionally and globally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
‘Fresh ideas' mooted to close gap in US-Iran N-deal talks
Donald Trump has said he warned Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu against attacking Iran because Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a deal on limiting that country's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions. He said this would be an unprecedented agreement as US as well as UN inspectors would be included on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) teams monitoring Iran's nuclear sites. His declared objective is to make certain Iran is not preparing to make nuclear bombs. Trump's statement suggests that that US is ready to accept Iran's "red line" — the right to enrich uranium — which Iran insists cannot be violated by any agreement. Iran demands domestic enrichment to 3.67 per cent for use in civilian power plants. The US previously flip-flopped on this issue. Washington demanded total shutdown of the nuclear programme, then agreed on low enrichment. The programme was launched in the 1950s when the US provided a nuclear reactor to Iran under the Atoms for Peace Programme long before the shah was toppled by anti-US clerics in 1979. To reassure the US and regional neighbours over its retention of a low level of enrichment, Tehran has suggested creating a consortium comprising the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Iran. Tehran would make partners shareholders in exchange for funding and give them access to its technologies and provide them a with stake in developing an independent capacity for nuclear power generation. The UAE has already established the first civil nuclear power plant in the Arab world with four operational reactors which should produce 25 per cent of Emirati electricity. The region's oil producing states have expressed eagerness to establish such facilities for a future when customers cut oil imports for environmental reasons or oil fields are no longer productive enough to generate large revenues. Since Omani-mediated indirect talks began this spring, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened to pull out if the US called for Iran to shut down its enrichment programme. Araghchi said this would amount to a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty to which Iran is a signatory. Trump stated on May 25th that the latest round of negotiations was 'very, very good.' He said there could be an announcement, presumably of a breakthrough, in coming days. "We've had some real progress, serious progress." Since he has threatened military action if no deal is reached, he added, "I would love to see no bombs dropped and a lot of people dead." Trump is eager for a foreign policy success while Tehran is under heavy domestic pressure for a deal as sanctions have crippled the economy and impoverished Iranians. Following the fifth round of talks round in Rome on May 23rd, the US State Department declared, "The talks continue to be constructive — we made further progress, but there is still work to do" when the sides "meet again in the near future." Araghchi contended the issues were complicated and needed further discussions. He said mediator Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi had suggested fresh ideas to close the gap between the sides. Busaidi posted on X, "We achieved some progress, although it was not conclusive" and expressed the wish that 'outstanding issues can be clarified in coming days that allows for meaningful progress toward a sustainable agreement." During his first term in office, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 agreement limiting Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions. After a year, Iran responded by breaching the 3.67 per cent enrichment limitation, produced a large stockpile of 20 and 60 per cent enriched uranium and cut inspections by the IAEA. Sixty per cent is near the 90 per cent for weaponization. Iran has dismissed Western allegations that it intends to make nuclear arms and could produce enough highly enriched uranium for several devices from the existing stocks of 60 per cent pure. Experts have said Iran could take up to 18 months to make bombs once the decision to do so was taken. While no date has been declared for a sixth round of talks, the experts from the sides are said to be holding discussions behind the scenes. To show willingness to compromise, Iran has proposed sending its stocks of highly enriched uranium to a third country, presumably Russia. Moscow had been assigned this role under the original agreement reached during the Obama administration. Al Monitor cited the International Crisis Group's Iran Project Director Ali Vaez who said negotiators are moving toward a framework agreement that would postpone the enrichment issue until a more permanent deal is reached. 'When they realized that the gaps are too wide to bridge, they decided to go for a framework agreement in order to prevent the process from collapsing. What is very likely in the next few weeks is a statement of principles — basically very broad strokes that would defer some of the most difficult issues." Unwise pressures could torpedo this tactic. Reuters reported that the US, UK, and Europe are preparing to urge the IAEA board at its meeting beginning on June 9th to declare Tehran in breach of its non-proliferation commitments, including the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which Tehran ratified in 1970. This prohibits the development, testing and transfer of nuclear weapons. Since Iran has not violated the NPT, this would mark the first time this step has been taken in almost 20 years and could "enrage Tehran." Such action could add further add complications to negotiations for a deal the US and Iran are striving to reach or, even, scupper the negotiations altogether. As he is prone to taking unconsidered, wrongheaded moves, this proposed move has Trump's fingerprints all over it and he could end up shooting himself in the foot. It must be recalled that when Trump pulled out of the earlier deal and slapped down 1,500 sanctions, Europe, Russia and China could not deliver on promised benefits by circumventing the US grip on international banking and multinational business. This did not happen. Tehran responded by advancing and expanding nuclear research and development far beyond the basic level and escaped tight IAEA monitoring.
Gulf Today
11 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
The foreign ministers of several Arab countries, who had planned to visit the occupied West Bank this weekend, condemned on Saturday Israel's decision to block their trip. The ministers condemned "Israel's decision to ban the delegation's visit to Ramallah (on Sunday) to meet with the president of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas," the Jordanian foreign ministry said. Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain had been expected to take part alongside the secretary-general of the Arab League, according to the statement. Israel had announced late on Friday that it would not cooperate, effectively blocking the visit as it controls the territory's borders and airspace. Abbas "intended to host in Ramallah a provocative meeting of foreign ministers from Arab countries to discuss the promotion of the establishment of a Palestinian state," an Israeli official said. "Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist state in the heart of the Land of Israel. Israel will not cooperate with such moves aimed at harming it and its security." Had the visit gone ahead, the delegation's head, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, would have become the first Saudi foreign minister to visit the West Bank. Israel this week announced the creation of 22 new Jewish settlements in the West Bank, regarded by the United Nations as illegal under international law and one of the main obstacles to a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. During a visit to one of the new settlement sites on Friday, Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the Palestinian territory. 'Diplomatic confrontation' Taking aim at foreign countries that would "recognise a Palestinian state on paper," he added: "The paper will be thrown into the trash bin of history, and the State of Israel will flourish and prosper." In June, Saudi Arabia and France are to co-chair an international conference at UN headquarters meant to resurrect the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. International backlash has been growing since Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza in March, with a humanitarian crisis spiralling and the UN warning of famine throughout the territory. Saudi Arabia is co-hosting with France a conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York aiming to revive the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron previously said he could recognise a Palestinian state at that conference, drawing a sharp rebuke from Israel. Agence France-Presse
The National
18 hours ago
- The National
Israeli gunfire at Gaza aid distribution point kills 30
Thirty Palestinians were killed with more feared dead on Sunday after Israeli troops opened fire at an aid distribution point run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah, Palestinian media reported. The Israelis shot at hundreds of civilians as they attempted to reach the GHF food centre, Palestinian news agency Wafa said. At least 115 people were injured, it added. The GHF, which is backed by the US and Israel, recently started operating after Israel relaxed an aid blockade on Gaza in recent days. The UN and other international aid organisations have refused to work with the foundation, saying its operations are an affront to international humanitarian principles. Israel has faced mounting international criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the UN has warned the entire population faces famine. It imposed an aid blockade on the besieged strip in March and has only relaxed it in recent days. Nearly 20 months into the war, negotiations on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked. A brief truce collapsed in March, and Israel has since intensified operations to 'destroy' Hamas. Aid is now trickling in after Israel partially lifted its blockade, but the UN has reported looting of its lorries and warehouses. The UN's World Food Programme called on Israel 'to get far greater volumes of food assistance into Gaza faster', saying desperation was 'contributing to rising insecurity'. More than 80 WFP lorries entered Gaza loaded with flour on Saturday and were stopped by starving people, a representative for the agency told The National. 'Many of these lorries drove directly into communities and were stopped en route and food was offloaded by hungry people,' the representative said. 'But these aid deliveries are nowhere near enough. The fear of starvation remains high.' The UN representative said the agency needs 'to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties and rebuild the trust with communities that more food is coming'. 'To scale up, we need operating conditions to improve – more safe and dependable convoy routes, faster permission approvals, and additional border crossings open.' The WFP has more than 140,000 tonnes of food, enough to feed the entire population of 2.2 million Gazans for two months, ready to be brought into Gaza. The wrangling over aid comes as US President Donald Trump' s special envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday said Hamas had submitted a 'totally unacceptable' response to a US-backed ceasefire plan signed off by Israel. The 60-day truce proposal was presented to Hamas on Thursday and now appears to be in the balance. Hamas had given a conditional agreement to the plan, sources told The National, with the group's reservations focused on assurances it seeks on Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territory and the distribution of aid. The US envoy's position towards Hamas was 'unfair' and showed 'complete bias' towards Israel, the Palestinian group said.
