Activities of Secretary-General in United Arab Emirates, 8-10 February
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Dubai from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday evening, 8 February.
On Monday morning, he had a breakfast meeting with the United Nations country team, before granting interviews to WAM, the official United Arab Emirates News Agency, and Vision Magazine.
At noon, the Secretary-General delivered the keynote address at the 2015 Government Summit organized by the United Arab Emirates. The Secretary-General told the audience that improving government is not just a matter of efficiency — it is essential to equity, justice and stability. He said that people around the world are calling as never before for greater transparency accountability and democracy, and that Governments that answer these calls will be strong. (See Press Release SG/SM/16520.)
The Secretary-General said that we have all been appalled by the recent upsurge in terrorism and violent extremism. He reiterated his condemnation of the repugnant and cowardly behaviour of those committing atrocious acts against innocent civilians. However, he added that there is a need to strictly respect human rights. Any rights abuses committed in the name of counter-terror are morally wrong and strategically counterproductive.
He then attended a working lunch with Resident Coordinators of Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Because of time constraints, the Secretary-General could not visit, but was briefed by the principals of the Dubai Carbon Center of Excellence (DCCE), a joint initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. The DCCE aims to promote low carbon in Dubai.
The Secretary-General met that day with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.
The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister discussed a number of regional issues, especially the need for coordinated and rapid action to resolve the situation in Yemen. They also discussed Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The Secretary-General looked forward to the United Arab Emirates’ continuing support in dealing with these crises.
Later in the afternoon, the Secretary-General flew to Abu Dhabi to meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates. The Secretary-General congratulated Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on the speech he delivered at the 2015 Government Summit. The Secretary-General and the Crown Prince discussed several issues of mutual interest, including the current regional challenges and security concerns.
Upon return to Dubai, the Secretary-General met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The Secretary-General congratulated Sheikh Mohammed on the successful holding of the third Government Summit.
He also met that day with Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and with Hwang Woo-yea, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.
Prior to returning to New York, the Secretary-General and his delegation attended a working dinner hosted by Anwar Mohammed Qarqash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, with that country’s Cabinet Members.
Mr. Ban flew later back to New York where he arrived early in the morning of Tuesday, 10 February.