President renews call for truce in Israel-gaza conflict
President underscores the UAE’S deep respect for its relationship with ASEAN countries as part of its approach to building bridges of cooperation worldwide to promote mutual growth and prosperity
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has led the UAE delegation participating in the joint summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Riyadh. The summit was inaugurated by Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The opening of the summit also witnessed the at en dance of leaders fro mg cc member countries, their representatives, and heads of delegations, alongside leaders and heads of governments from ASEAN members in the presence of Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Sheikh Mohamed renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-gaza war during a joint summit of the GCC and ASEAN. His Highness the President stated, “Today, as we assemble, our region faces a grave conflict, and the toll and risks associated with it amplify daily, especially in humanitarian terms.” His Highness offered condolences to the families of all victims of this conflict and wished a speedy recovery for the injured, reiterating the call for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation and its threat to regional peace.
In his speech at the GCC-ASEAN Summit, Sheikh Mohamed also emphasised the priority of preserving the lives of all civilians, providing protection for them, and opening humanitarian corridors for the unimpeded transportation of medical and relief aid to the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of collective efforts to find a horizon for comprehensive peace in the region.
In his address, Sheikh Mohamed also emphasised that this summit marks a new phase of cooperation between the GCC and ASEAN across diverse fields. This collaboration is especially significant given the close ties between the two sides and the myriad of opportunities to enhance shared interests in various areas, particularly in developmental sectors that serve aspirations for growth and prosperity. His Highness pointed out that the GCC and ASEAN share a collective will to advance relations in the coming period. His Highness expressed his appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for his invitation to atend the summit.
As part of its ongoing “Tarahum — for Gaza” campaign, the UAE on Friday sent an aircrat carrying 68 tonnes of food supplies and relief aid to Al Areesh, Egypt, in preparation for transport into Gaza Strip through the Rafah Border Crossing, in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme.
Israel levelled a northern Gaza district on Friday ater giving families a half-hour warning to escape, and hit an Orthodox Christian church where others had been sheltering as it made clear that a command to invade Gaza was expected soon.
The Secretary General of the United Nations visited the crossing between the besieged Gaza Strip and Egypt, and said humanitarian aid must be allowed across as soon as possible.
Aid trucks waiting to cross from Egypt into Gaza are “a lifeline” which need to move into the war-torn Palestinian enclave as soon as possible, the UN chief said. “These trucks are not just trucks, they are a lifeline. They are the difference between life and death for so many people in Gaza,” said UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres as he visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing to oversee preparations for the delivery of aid.
Since then Israel has relentlessly pounded Gaza with air strikes and put the enclave’s 2.3 million people under a total siege, banning even shipments of food, fuel and medical supplies.
At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed, including hundreds of children, and 13,000 wounded in Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry said.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who told troops the previous day that an order to invade would come soon, said on Friday that achieving Israel’s objectives would not be quick or easy. “We will topple the Hamas organisation. We will destroy its military and governing infrastructure. It’s a phase that will not be easy. It will have a price,” he told a parliamentary commitee.
Later during the day, Hamas said its armed wing has released two American hostages, from around 200 captives abducted in atacks by the group in Israel. “In response to Qatari efforts, (Ezzedine) Al Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons,” Hamas said in a statement posted on Telegram.
Mohamed Bin Zayed leads delegation at GCC-ASEAN Summit opened by Saudi Crown Prince; UAE sends 68 tonnes of food supplies; aid ‘a lifeline’ for war-torn Gaza, UN chief says at Rafah border; Hamas releases two hostages.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has led the UAE delegation participating in the joint summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Riyadh. The summit was inaugurated by Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The opening of the summit also witnessed the atendance of leaders from GCC member countries, their representatives, and heads of delegations, alongside leaders and heads of governments from Asean members in the presence of Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The delegation accompanying His Highness the President also atended the summit’s opening.
The delegation included Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-general of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Saif Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The summit discussed enhancing cooperation between the GCC and ASEAN in various areas, with a focus on economic, investment, developmental, and political coordination. Additionally, the summit explored new opportunities to elevate strategic collaboration between the two sides to serve the aspirations of their peoples for further development and prosperity.
Upon arriving at the king abdul aziz international Conference Center, His Highness the President was received by Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
In his address, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed emphasised that this summit marks a new phase of cooperation between the GCC and Asean across diverse fields. This collaboration is especially significant given the close ties between the two sides and the myriad of opportunities to enhance shared interests in various areas, particularly in developmental sectors that serve aspirations for growth and prosperity. His Highness pointed out that the GCC and ASEAN share a collective will to advance relations in the coming period. This sentiment is embodied by the joint action plan for 2024-2028, which encompasses political, economic, commercial, investment, and other domains.
His Highness expressed his appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for his invitation to atend the summit. He also extended his appreciation to Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, for his significant efforts in leading the summit.
Mohamed Bin Zayed stated, “Today, as we assemble, our region faces a grave conflict, and the toll and risks associated with it amplify daily, especially in humanitarian terms.” His Highness offered condolences to the families of all victims of this conflict and wished a speedy recovery for the injured, reiterating the call for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation and its threat to regional peace.
He also emphasised the priority of preserving the lives of all civilians, providing protection for them, and opening humanitarian corridors for the unimpeded transportation of medical and relief aid to the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of collective efforts to find a horizon for comprehensive peace in the region.
His Highness underscored the UAE’S deep respect for its relationship with ASEAN countries as part of its approach to building bridges of cooperation worldwide to promote mutual growth and prosperity. He highlighted that economic and trade ties between the UAE and ASEAN countries have recently seen significant advancements. Furthermore, efforts are underway to deepen economic partnerships with ASEAN in the coming period to achieve transformative progress in bilateral relations.
Sheikh Mohamed added, “Today, the world faces serious challenges ranging from supply chain disruptions, energy and food security, climate change, and pandemics to various conflicts and disputes.”
His Highness also noted the UAE’S role in hosting the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) later this year.