New York: The Sultanate of Oman has underscored the foundation of its foreign policy, which is predicated on the pillars of dialogue and tolerance as a strategy for addressing all issues and challenges.
This foundational vision, Oman has affirmed, aims to foster peace and establish relations characterized by mutual respect, positive cooperation, and harmony among nations.
This principle was articulated in the Sultanate of Oman's address, delivered by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the Foreign Minister, prior to the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA 79) in New York.
Sayyid Badr expressed his gratitude to Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, for his diligent leadership in the United Nations and his unwavering commitment to the rule of international law, with the objective of achieving justice and peace, and in a manner that aligns with the United Nations' vision of a world where security, stability, peace, and prosperity are universally prevalent.
In this regard, Sayyid Badr highlighted the Sultanate of Oman's unequivocal support for the Secretary-General's endeavors and the United Nations' efforts in promoting international peace and security.
The Foreign Minister noted that the Sultanate of Oman believes in employing legitimate and peaceful means to resolve disputes and conflicts.
Furthermore, Oman has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and the Red Sea region, and for the resolution of the conflict's root causes by ending the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, achieving justice for the Palestinian people through the two-state solution, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, adhering to the 1967 borders.
Sayyid Badr further emphasized the importance of recognizing Palestine's full membership in the United Nations, ending the policy of genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, and alleviating the human suffering inflicted upon them.
He affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman places a high priority on intensifying efforts to mitigate escalation and tension, and to halt the violence by resorting to rational dialogue, adherence to international law, the United Nations Charter, international legitimacy resolutions, respect for state sovereignty, territorial unity, and non-interference in a manner that ensures the right of all countries and peoples to live in security, peace, and dignity.
Meanwhile, Sayyid Badr highlighted the Sultanate of Oman's progress in the realm of social protection, through an integrated system that supports various segments of society, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, as well as social insurance and job security programs.
He observed that this development serves as a testament to the Sultanate of Oman's progress in sustainable development, underscoring its continuous efforts to refine its programs in alignment with the finest international standards, while also ensuring the provision of educational, health, and social care services to all societal segments.
The Minister articulated that the Sultanate of Oman is unwavering in its support for the youth, recognizing them as the cornerstone of the future, the focal point of sustainable development, and the catalyst for innovation, construction, and development.
Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi highlighted the Sultanate of Oman's emphasis on fostering respect and peaceful coexistence among peoples, advocating for the eradication of discrimination, racism, hatred, and violence.
He underscored the Sultanate of Oman's significant endeavors in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and reducing emissions, with a focus on stimulating investment in renewable energy projects in line with the Zero Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2050. This initiative is being pursued through the development of clean energy projects, green hydrogen solutions, and approaches that integrate nature.
He explained that the initiatives and development programs of the Sultanate of Oman are in harmony with the national vision, Oman Vision 2040, which serves as the foundational pillar for achieving economic and social development objectives and confronting future challenges.
He affirmed that the submission of the second voluntary national report reflects Oman's profound commitment to the principles and global goals of sustainable development, while also highlighting the progress made across various development sectors.
He further expressed the Sultanate of Oman's welcome for the adoption of the Future Summit Charter in 2024. He extended his appreciation for the collective international efforts that culminated in this achievement, which establishes a roadmap for the world towards enhancing international cooperation and effectively addressing global challenges with sincerity and constructive engagement.
In conclusion, at the conclusion of Oman's speech at the UNGA 79, Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi emphasized the Sultanate of Oman's call for all member states to commit to the implementation of this charter, urging them to work collaboratively towards achieving its vision and objectives through fruitful cooperation and knowledge exchange, and to adopt it as a pathway to securing a better, safer, and more prosperous future for future generations.
