Abu dhabi: On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, participated in the United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate on 'Natural Resource Governance, Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace.' The invitation to this session was extended by F©lix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of July.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE reiterated its commitment to enhancing international cooperation and promoting effective governance of natural resources as essential components of conflict prevention, sustainable peace, and long-term development. During the debate, Balalaa emphasized the significance of strengthening governance frameworks to prevent the exploitation of natural resources by armed groups, terrorist organizations, and criminal networks. He also stressed the need to ensure that natural resource wealth contributes to stability, economic resilience, and sustainable development.
Balalaa underscored the importance of establishing transparent and accountable institutions, responsible sourcing, supply chain traceability, reliable data, and international cooperation. He emphasized respect for national ownership of resources and the development priorities of resource-producing countries. Additionally, Balalaa highlighted the role of responsible investments in supporting domestic processing, industrial development, and greater participation in global value chains, allowing resource-producing countries to generate sustainable economic value from their resources.
He stated that strengthening governance to prevent resource-driven conflict is more effective and less costly than post-conflict intervention. Balalaa reaffirmed the UAE's dedication to working constructively with the United Nations, African partners, and Member States to ensure that natural resources serve as the foundations for peace, shared prosperity, and sustainable economic growth.
On the sidelines of the debate, Abdulla Balalaa met with Th©r¨se Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and discussed opportunities to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in sustainable development, natural resource governance, and multilateral engagements.
The UAE's participation in the Security Council open debate reflects its continued commitment, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to advancing multilateral cooperation, addressing the root causes of conflict, and promoting sustainable development and lasting peace.