Abdullah bin Zayed participates in the G20 foreign ministers meeting

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation participated in the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting that was held today under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The meeting – which was held via video communication technology – discussed the actions taken across borders in response to the “Covid-19” pandemic by exchanging experiences and emphasizing the importance of global preparations and the need to benefit from the lessons emanating from the different response models to the pandemic and the accompanying crisis.

The UAE’s participation in this meeting came based on its invitation to participate as a guest in the G20 summit to be held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in November 2020.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the efforts of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in holding this meeting, which provides an important platform to emphasize the importance of concerting global efforts in order to contain the repercussions of the “Covid 19” pandemic and address its effects on various levels.

During the meeting, His Highness welcomed His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the current session of the Group of Twenty, and their Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the countries participating in the work of the group.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that “the G20 represents an important platform to address all these issues and to strengthen international cooperation on administrative measures taken across borders. In light of this, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for holding today’s meeting and praising in particular.” For her distinguished leadership in the work of the G20 during this difficult year. “

His Highness added, “The UAE, like other countries of the world, has taken exceptional measures to confront and contain the” Covid-19 “pandemic, so in the early stages of the outbreak of the epidemic, it suspended all incoming and outgoing flights and hastened to take the most precautionary measures across all border crossings in addition to suspending. Issuing all kinds of visas and putting in place all the controls to reduce movement and movement across borders.

His Highness stressed that the country’s strategy in dealing with the challenges of the “Covid-19” pandemic was characterized by flexibility and proactiveness, as the UAE began building on its success in facing the epidemic since last June by easing restrictions and preventive measures imposed in a careful and gradual way, which contributed to easing the challenges. Before citizens and residents of the country, which resulted in the return of 700,000 residents stranded abroad to their second country – the UAE.

His Highness explained that, “On the same level, the UAE has played a pioneering role in facilitating the return of citizens and residents in it and in other countries, in light of its position as one of the most important global aviation centers, as the UAE’s airports are among the busiest in the world, while its two major airlines occupy the rank He is ahead of the ladder of the most important global airlines, and the country embraces a large number of expatriates on its territory, and the UAE has facilitated nearly 2,000 return flights through its airports and national carriers. “

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in the meeting and included a set of lessons learned from the experience of the UAE in responding to the “Covid-19” pandemic, which His Highness reviewed in several points.

In this regard, His Highness stressed “the importance of uniting efforts and coordinating ideas related to contingency planning. This will ensure that we enhance our readiness to deal with global challenges similar to the” Covid-19 “pandemic better in the future and respond to them in a more coordinated manner. On the contrary, the initial global response was not It is organized to the degree required and did not take sufficient account of the consequences of the pandemic on the many people stranded away from their homes and families. “

His Highness indicated “the need to consider ways and mechanisms to activate international travel, especially for the main purposes in light of the ongoing pandemic.”

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed “the necessity to ensure fair and equal treatment for citizens of all countries, regardless of their points of departure or travel destinations.” Itself now for a second wave of cases

His Highness also stressed the importance of achieving effective communication with citizens to build a broad understanding of the reasons and motives of the policies taken to confront the “Covid-19” epidemic, since this communication is essential to achieving acceptance by citizens and preserving the spirit of one team in the face of the epidemic, especially in light of the multiple and large challenges that it has caused. Epidemic response policies for many individuals, families and small businesses.

His Highness added, “As we approach the date of the summit of the leaders of the group in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, next November, I confirm my confidence in the fruitful results that this summit will achieve, especially if the momentum provided by the distinguished efforts of the Saudi presidency and the contributions of member states and guests to ensure that a unified and strong message come out.” From the top. “

It should be noted that the preparations for the convening of the Group Leaders Summit in November 2020 have so far included the participation of member and guest countries in more than 14 ministerial meetings, 49 meetings of specialized working groups and 36 side events.

In addition, the first virtual summit of G20 leaders was held on March 26, 2020, during which the participating countries committed themselves to taking decisive measures to support the economy, health, trade and investment.

In December 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – which holds the presidency of the G20 in its current session – invited the UAE to participate in the group’s work as a guest during the year 2020, in light of the state’s presidency of the current session of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

The “G20 Summit”, which was held for the first time in 1999, is an annual gathering of representatives of the most important economic powers in the world with the aim of discussing ways to enhance economic cooperation at the global level.

The main theme of the G20 summit under the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year was announced, “Realizing the opportunities of the twenty-first century for all.”