NEW YORK, April 29, 2021 (WAM) – The UAE reiterated its commitment to uphold international humanitarian law and constructively address threats to objects essential to the survival of civilians during the Security Council’s public debate United Nations on the matter. These objects include food stocks, agricultural areas, crops, livestock, drinking water facilities and supplies.

“The UAE strongly supports an increased focus in the Security Council on preventive and reactive measures to protect the infrastructure that enables civilians to survive and recover from conflict,” the UAE said in a written statement to the Security Council. of ONU.

The UAE stressed that the ultimate goal of protecting civilian objects is the cessation of hostilities. In this regard, the UAE renewed its support for the UN Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire to ensure the delivery of COVID-19 humanitarian assistance, including vaccines, to the most vulnerable.

The UAE said strengthening infrastructure and physical and social services before and during the conflict can build resilience to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. During the pandemic, the UAE facilitated the global distribution of personal protective equipment and COVID-19 vaccines through bilateral and multilateral partnerships. This includes through the United Nations Supply Center in Dubai and United Arab Emirates pro-bono partnerships with the COVAX logistics facility.

The UAE called for the UN and international financial institutions to prioritize spending in areas that are both climate vulnerable and that have experienced incidents of conflict and insecurity. The UAE also expressed support for a greater focus on environmental stewardship and for creating a positive infrastructure legacy in UN peacekeeping operations. In addition, the UAE stressed that approaches to strengthening civilian assets must prioritize gender, age and disability.

Noting the value of deconfliction mechanisms – the exchange of information between humanitarian and military actors to ensure the protection of humanitarian infrastructure and individuals – as a best practice, the UAE recommended the use of new technologies, in particular satellite data, to improve the accuracy and completeness of the mechanisms.

In addition, the UAE also called for the allocation of dedicated budgets for gender, age and disability advisers in peace and security operations, as well as mandatory markers, in the UN system. The UAE also stressed that the UN and the Security Council must include reconstruction planning, especially the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, to manage the impact of armed conflict.