NEW YORK: The Sultanate of Oman has stressed that its foreign policy is based on a solid vision of adopting the pillars of dialogue and tolerance as an approach to addressing all issues and challenges.
This vision, Oman affirmed, seeks to achieve peace and establish relations based on mutual respect, positive cooperation and harmony among countries.
This was stated by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, while delivering the Sultanate of Oman’s speech before the UN 79th General Assembly (UNGA-79) in New York.
Sayyid Badr expressed his appreciation to Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, for his strenuous efforts in leading the United Nations and his tireless pursuit to establish and implement the rule of international law, in order to achieve justice and peace, and in a manner that reflects the vision of the United Nations for a world in which security, stability, peace and prosperity prevail for all.
In this context, Sayyid Badr underlined the Sultanate of Oman’s full support for the endeavours of the Secretary-General and the efforts of the United Nations in promoting international peace and security.
The foreign minister said that the Sultanate of Oman, represented by its leadership, government and people, believes in using legitimate and peaceful means to settle disputes and conflicts.
Oman, added the foreign minister, calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and the Red Sea region, and addressing the causes of the conflict by ending the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, achieving justice for the Palestinian people on the basis of the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders.
HUMAN SUFFERING
Sayyid Badr added that the Sultanate of Oman stresses the necessity of granting Palestine a full membership in the United Nations, putting an end to the policy of genocide practised by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, and alleviating the human suffering imposed on them.
He affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman believes in the importance of intensifying efforts to contain escalation and tension and stop the bloodshed by resorting to rational dialogue, the rules of international law, the United Nations Charter and international legitimacy resolutions, respecting the sovereignty of states, the unity of their territories and non-interference in their internal affairs in a way that guarantees all countries and peoples the right to live in security, peace and dignity.
SOCIAL PROTECTION
Meanwhile, Sayyid Badr pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman is moving forward with its programmes in the field of social protection, through an integrated system that backs various segments of society, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as social insurance and job security programmes.
He noted that this is an indicator of the progress made by the Sultanate of Oman in the field of sustainable development, and its ongoing efforts to develop these programmes in line with the best international practices, in addition to providing educational, health and social care to all segments of society.
The minister stated that the Sultanate of Oman affirms its continuous support for youth and their empowerment, as it considers them the pillar of the future, the focal point of sustainable development and the driving force for innovation, construction and development.
Sayyid Badr pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman stresses the importance of promoting respect and peaceful coexistence among peoples, and calls for combating all forms of discrimination, racism, hatred and violence.
CLIMATE CHANGE
He pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman is exerting great efforts in addressing the challenges of climate change and reducing emissions, and stimulating investment in renewable energy projects in accordance with the Zero Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2050. This, said the minister, is being done through clean energy projects, green hydrogen and solutions that adopt nature as an approach.
He explained that the efforts and development programmes of the Sultanate of Oman come in line with the national vision, Oman Vision 2040, which is the cornerstone for achieving economic and social development goals and facing future challenges.
He affirmed that submitting the second voluntary national report reflects Oman’s deep commitment to the principles and global goals of sustainable development, and highlights the progress achieved in various development fields.
He added that the Sultanate of Oman welcomes the adoption of the Future Summit Charter this year (2024). He expressed the appreciation for the joint international efforts that led to this achievement, which sets a roadmap for the world towards enhancing international cooperation and effectively confronting global challenges with sincere and constructive cooperation.
At the end of the speech, Sayyid Badr said that the Sultanate of Oman calls on all member states to commit to implementing this charter and work to achieve its vision and objectives through fruitful cooperation and exchange of knowledge, as well as adopting it as a path to achieving a better, safer and more prosperous future for the next generations.
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