UAE participates in Afro-Asian conference

(Jakarta) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) took part in the Asia – Africa Conference which concluded 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.
(Courtesy WAM)