UAE participates in Afro-Asian conference in Jakarta

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) took part in the Asia – Africa Conference which concluded yesterday and was attended by 29 heads of state and prime ministers, as well as representatives from 87 Asian and African countries and international organisations.

Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy headed the UAE delegation to the conference, held under the theme "Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity".

In his speech before the summit, Tariq Ahmed al Haidan, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organisations Affairs, said that the UAE believed in the principles on which the Bandung Conference was held in 1955.

He added that the UAE's foreign policy is based on the UN charter and on building relations with all countries of the world on the basis of respect for the sovereignty of nations, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, supporting their rights, justice and legitimacy and contributing to global peace and stability.

He referred to the UAE's developmental and humanitarian aid which exceeded 1.3 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product totalling US$5.8 billion in 2013 and US$5 billion in 2014.

Al Haidan said that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is considered an important region for Asian – African solidarity and for the future of peace and development.

He urged Asian and African countries to demonstrate their solidarity with the Palestinian cause and support the Palestinian National Authority's efforts to secure membership in international bodies leading up to the Palestinian people's goal of establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Highlighting the issue of terrorism and violent extremism, Al Haidan also said that the international community should take decisive measures to counter terrorist groups at the security, political, social, cultural and ideological levels. He emphasised that combatting terrorism and violent extremism should become one of the key pillars for an Afro-Asian strategic partnership.

He noted that the UAE hosts the counter-terrorism centre (Hedaya) and is a member of the Global Counter-terrorism Forum.