The UAE's two-year term on the UN Security Council, which draws to a close next week, covered a period of momentous global upheaval that exposed the divisions on the world body.
But through it all, the UAE sought to act as a unifying force that emphasised diplomacy and the need to build bridges.
When the UAE took its seat as a non-permanent member in January 2022, the Security Council was already navigating a complex international landscape defined by growing gaps between the West and Russia and China.
In the two years since, Russia has invaded Ukraine, the US has pulled out of Afghanistan, the war in Yemen is rumbling along at various levels of intensity, Sudan is in a spiralling civil war and the Israel-Gaza war is raging.
The five veto-holding countries – Russia, China, Britain, France and the US – have often struggled to come to a consensus on pressing issues, highlighting the urgent need for reform at the panel.
Here, The National takes a look at what the UAE was able to accomplish during its tenure.
Gaza and other humanitarian crises
Representing the interests of the Arab Group, the UAE has also been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to stop the violence in Gaza and increase aid to the Palestinian enclave.
On Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution, drafted by the UAE, that was aimed at scaling up aid to the Gaza Strip and setting the conditions for a reduction in violence, as the world body warned Israel's assault on the Palestinian enclave is pushing it towards famine.
After four postponements this week amid a full diplomatic push to avoid a US veto, the UAE's resolution received 13 votes in favour and two abstentions from the US and Russia.
The UAE also announced a “digital disaster response platform” to try to co-ordinate global humanitarian efforts.
The platform aims to address “a clear gap in our humanitarian capabilities and help countries impacted by natural disasters get what they need, where they need it – as quickly as possible”.
Hate speech
In June, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution, jointly drafted by the UAE and the UK, acknowledging the role of hate speech, racism and other forms of intolerance in fuelling conflicts.
The resolution also highlighted the effects of gender discrimination and acts of extremism on global peace and stability.
“It’s a time when the world is experiencing the highest number of armed conflicts since 1945, and across the globe we’re seeing an increasingly worrying rise in intolerance, hate speech, racism and extremism, all of which undoubtedly fuel violence and divide communities,” said Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's ambassador to the UN.
“These are threats to international peace and security, and they’re not limited to a single country or region.”
Climate change
It has also advocated tirelessly for climate security, pushing for the integration of climate considerations into the Security Council's agenda. The UAE made a point of highlighting how the root causes of conflict are being exacerbated by climate change.
The country hosted the Cop28 climate conference this year, during which a loss and damage fund was established as well as an agreement to reduce fossil fuel production and use.
Women's rights
The UAE also emphasised women's empowerment and gender equality in peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
As a signatory to the Statement of Shared Commitments on Women, Peace and Security, the UAE encouraged all briefers to include relevant gender analysis in their briefings.
It also advocated greater involvement of women in peace negotiations and peace-building efforts.
In addition, the UAE was the “co-penholder” with Japan on Afghanistan, which meant it drafted resolutions and issues related to the impoverished country.
In April, the council unanimously adopted a resolution drafted by the UAE and Japan condemning the Taliban’s decision to ban Afghan women from working for the UN in the country.
The resolution was co-sponsored by more than 90 UN member states, including, for the first time, more than 28 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC).
Ms Nusseibeh said the resolution sends a “clear signal going into that meeting of the position of the international community, of international law and of the Security Council on the essential role of women and girls, and the role they play in every society, including in Afghanistan”.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Bawaal%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
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School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
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6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
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European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
