UAE renews pledge on gender equality, children’s rights at UN

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UAE renews pledge on gender equality, children’s rights at Human Rights Council

February 26, 2026

GENEVA,— The United Arab Emirates renewed its pledge to advance women’s empowerment, strengthen gender equality and safeguard children’s rights during a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Emirates News Agency reported.

Jamal Al Musharakh, the UAE Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, delivered the country’s statement at the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, which is currently meeting in the Swiss city.

Al Musharakh said the UAE continues to promote and protect human rights while supporting women in leadership roles.

He stated that the government is working to reinforce gender equality in a way that ensures full protection of the rights of women and girls and strengthens efforts to protect children.

He said the UAE is looking ahead to serving as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2028 to 2030 term, reflecting what he described as the country’s ongoing commitment in this area.

The ambassador also said that protecting human rights is a shared responsibility that requires multilateral cooperation built on dialogue and mutual respect.

He said such cooperation is necessary to confront extremist ideology and hate speech and to take effective measures, especially as global crises continue to grow.

Al Musharakh reaffirmed the UAE’s support for Palestinians in Gaza and efforts to address what he described as a worsening humanitarian situation in the Strip.

He said, “My country announced during the Board of Peace meeting additional support amounting to US$1.2 billion for Gaza, thereby making the UAE the leading donor to Gaza.”

He added that the UAE continues to follow what he called a sincere and effective humanitarian diplomacy.

Through mediation efforts, he said, the UAE has helped facilitate prisoner exchange operations involving thousands of detainees between Russia and Ukraine. He said these efforts have strengthened the UAE’s position as a mediator trusted by all parties.

Al Musharakh also addressed the conflict in Sudan.

He said that while international efforts are underway to resolve the civil war, one of the parties to the conflict continues to use the Human Rights Council platform to challenge these initiatives, including the work of the Quartet.

He said this is being done by making what he described as false accusations against the UAE and United Nations mechanisms.

(With files from WAM)