Oman at UN: Ending occupation and recognising Palestine key to lasting peace

Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi delivered the Sultanate of Oman’s address to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly .

The Foreign Minister said that the Palestinian cause remains at the forefront of urgent humanitarian and political priorities, stressing that the time has come to end the occupation, lift the injustice imposed on the Palestinian people and enable them to exercise their legitimate rights through the implementation of the two-state solution, as the only path towards a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

He added that recognition of the State of Palestine is the most important step at this critical stage in the history of the Palestinian cause, expressing Oman’s appreciation to the governments that have recognised the State of Palestine.

Sayyid Badr underlined the need for international measures to restrict the Israeli government’s ability to continue violating laws, norms and human values. He called for a global, peaceful campaign to lift the blockade and injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people and to establish their independent sovereign state.

The Minister expressed Oman’s full solidarity with the State of Qatar in facing the recent Israeli aggression that targeted it, affirming its right to take the measures it deems necessary to protect its security and sovereignty. He also reiterated Oman’s condemnation of Israeli aggression against Iran, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, calling for international sanctions on Israel for its blatant violations of international law and its unlawful attacks on the sovereignty of states.

Sayyid Badr noted that the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations is an opportunity for renewed commitment to the purposes of the UN Charter, especially the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and negotiation.

He stressed that the international community, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council, must enable the Secretary-General to fulfil his role and strengthen cooperation with him to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to stimulating economic growth, providing job opportunities, encouraging innovation, combating poverty, and achieving food, health and energy security.

The Minister highlighted Oman’s national priorities in education and health as fundamental rights for all and pillars of development, along with supporting digital transformation, artificial intelligence applications, innovation and manufacturing, and strengthening the social protection system and job security.

He confirmed Oman’s commitment to empowering youth with knowledge and education and opportunities for them to contribute to development, as they are the driving force of innovation and the knowledge economy.

Sayyid Badr concluded by affirming that the world is experiencing one of the most complex periods of overlapping international crises, which requires strengthening adherence to international and humanitarian law, supporting the role of the United Nations and its institutions in consolidating international peace and security, and promoting a culture of justice, tolerance and mutual respect, as a path towards fulfilling the peoples’ aspirations for freedom, prosperity and a future of stability and fairness.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.

To view the full text of the speech click here.