Cabinet approves U.A.E.'s membership of UNRWA's Advisory Commission

Abu Dhabi (WAM): His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has asserted that peace and humanitarian work are the most important pillars of U.A.E. foreign policy. In this regard, he noted that contributing to the efforts of international development is topping the national agenda, especially as the U.A.E.'s diplomatic relations with the world are based on peace, development and openness to the options of friendship with everyone. His Highness said this while chairing the Cabinet meeting, which was held yesterday at the Presidential Palace in the presence of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Sheikh Mohammed commended the membership of the U.A.E. in the Advisory Commission (AdCom) of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, as it represents an appreciation of the country and its leadership's role as an international supportive entity to humanitarian work in general, and the Palestinian cause in particular. His Highness stressed that the U.A.E.'s leadership will spare no effort in supporting the Palestinian cause in various international forums. ''U.A.E. contribution to development and relief efforts across the world is one of the most important features of our longstanding diplomacy which the future generations will inherit with pride and appreciation,'' HH added. During the session, the Cabinet approved the U.A.E.'s request for joining the Advisory Commission (AdCom) of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, in compliance with the State's foreign policy to maintain the U.A.E.'s prominent status in the international humanitarian work and its contribution to alleviating suffering of humanitarian challenges facing peoples of the world. The U.A.E.'s membership in UNRWA's AdCom will support the Palestinian just stances at various international forums, particularly in the UN and its specialised agencies. The U.A.E. always emphasises the right of Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights, establish their independent state with the holy Jerusalem as its capital. By gaining this membership, the U.A.E. has become the 26th member of the AdCom which meets twice a year to discuss issues of importance to UNRWA, striving to reach consensus and provide advice and assistance to the Commissioner-General of the Agency. The Cabinet gave its nod for issuing a federal draft law for protection of national antiquities. The act will regulate issues relating to protection of archaeological sites in the State beginning with establishing a federal and local registry, identifying and classifying antiquities, preserving and safeguarding antiquities, prohibiting their import and export without a license from the competent authority. The law, which also sets penalties on offenders, is in consistence with the U.A.E. Vision 2021 which aims to safeguard national rich treasures and heritage. The Cabinet approved the establishment of a permanent mission for the U.A.E. at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in the capital Abu Dhabi within the framework of the headquarters agreement signed between IRENA and the U.A.E. which allows member states to open permanent missions in the host country. The move also underlines the U.A.E.'s keenness to strengthen ties with IRENA with which it shares mutual interest. It also reflects the U.A.E.'s desire to leverage joint cooperation with IRENA and member states for developing renewable energy resources. The Cabinet also gave its consent for issuing a guide for consolidated financial procedures in the federal government for 2014 which aims at adopting international standards for management of federal government financial resources, promoting transparency, coordinating policies, and improving efficiency of financial practices and legislations in all federal entities. Closing financial statements of the General Pensions and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) for fiscal year 2012 and closing accounts of the Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid for fiscal year 2012 were endorsed during the Cabinet session. On recommendations of the Federal National Council, the Cabinet approved a set of recommendations put forward by the house on the policy of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme and other recommendations regarding health and safety of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA). The meeting also approved the formation of the U.A.E. Space Agency board under the chairmanship of Dr. Khalifa Mohammed Al Rumaithi and Hamad Obeid Al Mansouri as deputy chairman. Members include Jassim Mohammed Al Zaabi, Tariq Rashid Al Hosani, Mohamed Rashid Al Darmaki, Sultan Muhair Al Kitbi, Yusouf Hamad Al Shaibani, Mohamed Saif Al Maqbali and Reem Ahmed Al Muhairi. The Cabinet also passed a series of agreements on air transport the U.A.E. has sealed with Serbia, India, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. These agreements aim to boost joint cooperation at international levels for serving the State's interests. The Cabinet gave its green light for establishing a U.A.E. embassy in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395269310725.html