UAE adviser urges global unity on issues impacting the planet

Dubai: A senior UAE official has called for nations to unite on issues that impact the planet for the prosperity and stability of the global community, during a session at the World Economic Forum.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, emphasized the importance of finding common ground on non-geostrategic issues to foster global unity.

“We have to find a way that non-geostrategic issues should bring us together, rather than take us apart. I think technology, climate should bring us together because we have a vested interest,” said Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, during a panel discussion titled “Rising Powers for a Multipolar World.”

“We might all argue about who pays what, how fast it should go … but ultimately we should recognize that these issues that affect the planet are issues that we will all suffer from”, added Gargash.

Other panellists echoed Gargash's sentiments, highlighting the significance of multilateral relationships and respecting rules-based orders. Croatia’s Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining and upholding established rules, while Norway’s foreign affairs minister discussed the global crisis of credibility.

Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s foreign affairs minister, highlighted the crisis of credibility facing the global community, exacerbated by recent events such as the situation in Gaza and “the inability of many Western countries who have hesitated to use the same type of language … they used against Russia.”

“When it comes to Gaza, we have not been able to see the same type of response … the way that Israel has conducted the war has also been very problematic in light of global norms. If we do not call out that it comes back and haunt even the arguments on Ukraine,” Eide said.

Anwar Gargash outlined the UAE's approach to international relations, focusing on building bridges and fostering economic opportunities. He emphasized the importance of geo-economic perspectives and the UAE's commitment to reaching out to friends and allies.

“We see ourselves more on the geo-economic phase of our foreign policy. That in itself reflects what are our priorities with regards to BRICS or any other international organization we seek to join”, added Gargash.