War in Gaza 'serious setback' for regional de-escalation efforts: Gargash

Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said that the ongoing war in Gaza represents a serious setback for the efforts to reduce tension in the region as a whole.

“Prolonging the war would only amplify its associated risks, including the possibility of the conflict engulfing the wider region,” he cautioned.

In a speech at the 19th Manama Dialogue, titled Transition to Global Competition, Gargash expressed concerns the current violence will only fuel further extremism and instability in the region.

“To prevent the entrenchment of divisive narratives and confront all forms of extremism, a resolute and collective effort is imperative,” he stressed.

While the full impact of this crisis on regional and international relations remains to be seen, its far-reaching reverberations will be felt for years to come, Gargash added, noting that the unfolding situation in Gaza underscores the urgent need to safeguard international standards, uphold shared values, and re-evaluate the effectiveness of traditional crisis resolution approaches.

"The events of the past month have made it abundantly clear that a failure to re-engage politically in the peace process, with the aim of achieving a two-state solution, would be a grave misstep. A two-state solution offers the only viable path to lasting peace for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, and it demands strong and sustained international participation."

While the UAE remains committed to ending hostilities, he continued, “the country's immediate priority is to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian access and the delivery of substantial relief supplies to alleviate the suffering of the civilians in Gaza.

"In response to this urgent need, the UAE has significantly amplified its humanitarian efforts, not only by increasing its financial contributions but also through collaborative efforts with medical teams in Gaza to establish an emergency field hospital there and by facilitating the medical transfer of children and their families from Gaza to the UAE for treatment.

"The UAE is actively engaged at various levels, including diplomatic efforts as a member of the UN Security Council and collaborations with regional partners, to save lives and contribute constructively to conflict resolution.”

He added, "The war in Ukraine is further exacerbating geopolitical uncertainty, with its indirect consequences reverberating across the global economy, food security, and energy security. This has deepened divisions among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, making it increasingly challenging to reach consensus on critical issues related to international peace and security. Similarly, the initial deadlock reached by the UN Security Council on the tragic situation in Gaza, which has persisted for several weeks and continues to this day despite the UN General Assembly's consensus on the next steps in Gaza, reflects the reality of a divided international arena."

The Middle East is well aware of the ongoing geopolitical competition in its regional system, he said. "In fact, one of the main challenges we face is the changing dynamics of global politics. We are well aware that a more chaotic international system will inevitably affect our region, and this is an issue we must deal with, whether it is about concerns on how the geopolitical competition between the major powers in the Middle East will evolve, or about questions on what the international system will look like on the day after the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip."

Gargash explained that the transition to a more divided system is not in the interest of anyone, and the same is true for the growing uncertainty in various parts of the Middle East. The region, he said, has gone through one of the most difficult decades in its history due to what was called the ‘Arab Spring’ decade, and this is the region where the risk of escalation and the growing power vacuums pose a constant threat.

"It is essential for the Middle East to continue to chart its course carefully to ensure stability, prosperity, and peace for our countries," Dr Gargash stressed.

"This must be done amidst the ongoing state of instability and turmoil in international and regional affairs, and in a world characterised by rapid changes and increasing competition."

Dr. Gargash cautioned that while the current crisis in Gaza is being addressed, efforts must continue to "reform the region" by strengthening national development plans to ensure progress, and through cooperative efforts with international and regional partners to develop long-term strategies for the region.

In this regard, Dr Gargash emphasised the need for trusted partners in the region.

He explained that the region needs to put in place a system to solve crises instead of containing them, because there are issues in the region that need sustainable solutions. These issues include the lack of a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as well as other ongoing crises, social and economic disparities, and the aspirations of young people for peace and prosperity throughout the region. “Although some of these issues are still out of reach, they must be addressed in order to achieve greater stability in the Middle East.”

Dr. Gargash affirmed the commitment of the United Arab Emirates to ensuring regional security and stability, and to firmly continuing to work on the agenda of shared prosperity in the region.

“By doing so, the UAE will continue to prioritise de-escalation, building partnerships, diplomatic work, and focus on geoeconomics," he said, pointing out that economic resilience is essential for the prosperity of the countries of the region, and for achieving shared stability that benefits everyone.

Dr. Gargash concluded by saying that if these goals are successfully pursued through comprehensive and cooperative means with regional and international partners, it is possible to improve regional security and lay the foundations for a more prosperous and peaceful Middle East in the years to come.

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— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) November 18, 2023