UAE’s pursuit of peace sets example for the region, says Pompeo

The UAE sets a good example for the rest of the Middle East, former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo told the Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis.

Mr Pompeo said the country had continuously worked to foster peace and harmony in the region and that was something other countries could follow.

The UAE, US and Israel signed the Abraham Accords in 2020.

The historic agreement helped to bring different cultures and religions closer together.

Mr Pompeo said he was highly impressed by the empowerment of women in the Emirates.

“Equality of men and women is the guiding principle of the UAE and enshrined in the American constitution,” he said.

“Your resolute actions towards ensuring that the women of your nation hold the same standards as men is a standard for the entire region – these actions have precipitated change far outside your borders.

“I saw statistics that said that 80 per cent of Emirati women are enrolled in higher education and many [are] specialising in Stem subjects – that is fantastic.

“Your nation’s first female fighter pilot led air strikes in her F-16 against ISIS. She supported your country and our efforts collectively to crush evil and extremists.”

Mr Pompeo, a devout Christian, said he believed faith and family were irreplaceable, intertwined and crucial to making progress.

He said it was important for people to ask themselves what kind of future they wanted for their children.

“Do we want reason and love to dominate the globe or do we want those who wish ill and seek only power and wealth for themselves?” he asked.

“We all have to make sure that we never put the state’s ambition between a parent and his children.

“This encroachment by government creates risks and must be fought so that the family must be honoured and never disrespected.

“The nature of the Arab family shines a light in a world where so many children do not know their parents or are away from them.

“I perceive the entirety of Middle East as God’s shelter for it was here that the three great Abrahamic faiths began and grew to illuminate the world.”