On Behalf of UAE President, Abdulla Balalaa Participates in UN Security Council Open Debate on Natural Resource Governance

On Behalf of UAE President, Abdulla Balalaa Participates in UN Security Council Open Debate on Natural Resource Governance

On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and in response to an invitation extended to His Highness by His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, participated in the United Nations Security Council high-level open debate on "Natural Resource Governance, Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace."

The debate was convened by the Democratic Republic of the Congo during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of July and was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

During the debate, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and advancing effective natural resource governance as a cornerstone of conflict prevention, sustainable peace, and long-term development.

His Excellency highlighted that strengthening governance frameworks is essential to preventing the exploitation of natural resources by armed groups, terrorist organizations, and criminal networks, while ensuring that resource wealth contributes to stability, economic resilience, and sustainable development.

His Excellency also underscored the importance of transparent and accountable institutions, responsible sourcing, traceability, reliable data, and enhanced international cooperation, while emphasizing respect for national ownership and the development priorities of resource-producing countries.

His Excellency further stressed the importance of responsible investment in supporting domestic processing, industrial development, and greater participation in global value chains, enabling resource-producing countries to generate long-term and inclusive economic value from their natural resources.

During his intervention, His Excellency stated: "Strengthening governance to pre-empt resource-driven conflict is more effective, and far less costly, than post-conflict intervention."

The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with the United Nations, African partners, and Member States to ensure that natural resources serve as foundations for peace, shared prosperity, and sustainable economic growth.

On the sidelines of the debate, His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa held a bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and discussed opportunities to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, including in the areas of sustainable development, natural resource governance, and multilateral engagements.

participation in the Security Council open debate reflects the UAE's continued commitment, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to advancing multilateral cooperation, addressing the root causes of conflict, and promoting sustainable development and lasting peace.