Monday 23 / September / 2024
New York: Under the royal directive of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi led the delegation of the Sultanate to the Summit of the Future, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
In his speech to the summit, Sayyid Badr reaffirmed Oman's firm commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation as the means to achieve the shared goals of the Summit of the Future. He said that dialogue, pragmatism, and mutual respect are the core principles of Oman’s foreign policy, noting that these values are essential for addressing the complex and interconnected global crises facing the world today.
In a special intervention titled “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,” Sayyid Badr highlighted the pivotal role of inclusive dialogue platforms, such as the United Nations, in promoting these values. However, he also drew attention to the ongoing challenges, particularly with the continued war in Gaza, which underscores the fragility of the regional and international situation. He explained that the escalation of violence, the suffering of civilians and the failure of peace efforts pose a threat to the principles of multilateralism and the rule of law. He stressed that the persistent failure to learn from the past and understand the present, especially concerning the Palestinian issue, hinders efforts to achieve lasting peace.
The Foreign Minister noted the need to move away from Cold War-era thinking, which entrenches binary divisions and is based on zero-sum concepts. He explained that enhancing the effectiveness of international institutions in resolving conflicts heavily depends on adopting more open and pragmatic thinking, suited to the reality of today's multipolar world.
Sayyid Badr said that issues in the Middle East will not be resolved unless channels of dialogue and communication are opened with all parties, including those whom some members of the international community have labelled as “enemies.” He added that a sustainable solution can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Oman's Foreign Minister pointed out that the continued violations of international law since the establishment of the Zionist project have made the region less secure, adding that a just and lasting solution must be based on the principle of a two-state solution.
Sayyid Badr said that to reflect the changing international reality, there is a need for reform of multilateral frameworks, through broader representation of diverse voices and a stronger emphasis on justice, international law, and peaceful conflict resolution. He pledged that the Sultanate of Oman will continue to support efforts that promote cooperation, trust, understanding, and justice for all.
The Minister also spoke of the importance of implementing innovative policies focused on sustainable development, noting that Oman Vision 2040 aligns with these efforts. He emphasised that Oman will continue to support youth as a driving force for building the future.
At the end of his speech Sayyid Badr stressed the pivotal role of technology and digital cooperation in addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges, highlighting the importance of science in improving the efficiency of environmental resource use.
