UAE Participates in Munich Security Conference, Calls for Regional Stability and Strengthened EU Ties
Munich, The Gulf Observer: Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy of the Foreign Minister to the European Union, led the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2025. The prestigious annual event gathered heads of state, ministers, and thought leaders to address pressing international peace and security challenges.
Throughout more than 35 bilateral meetings and speaking engagements, Nusseibeh emphasized the urgent necessity for regional de-escalation, advocating for upholding the ceasefire in Gaza and supporting all initiatives aimed at achieving a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel. She also underlined the importance of stabilization efforts in Lebanon and Syria as key factors in ensuring long-term peace and security in the region.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Nusseibeh urged the international community to support a ceasefire initiative proposed by the UAE, Ethiopia, the African Union (AU), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) during the month of Ramadan. She highlighted the UAE’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, reaffirming the country’s pledge of an additional US$200 million in humanitarian aid, announced in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14, 2025.
In her capacity as Envoy of the Foreign Minister to the European Union, Nusseibeh engaged with leading members of the European Parliament and senior EU officials to explore ways to strengthen UAE-EU relations, particularly in the realm of free trade. She underscored the significance of economic growth and competitiveness as fundamental elements for progress in both Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Nusseibeh also participated in a panel discussion organized by the Observer Research Foundation, where she was joined by Alexander Stubb, President of Finland; S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India; Jon Huntsman Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to China and Russia; and Professor Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome. During the discussion, she highlighted the UAE’s position as a global economic hub, emphasizing the country’s diplomatic and economic agility, as reflected in the conclusion of over 20 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements in recent years.
Calling for greater global engagement, Nusseibeh urged nations to enhance their preparedness for partnership opportunities in an era of shifting geo-economic dynamics. She stressed the need for creating strong economic and diplomatic networks, stating, “When established relationships, including with great powers, fail to deliver returns on the investments we have made over the years, we are looking to diversify our portfolio, our economic bridges, our defense and security partnerships.” She further asserted that this approach was “not transactional, but clear-eyed and pragmatic about the world as it is today.”
The UAE Foreign Ministry delegation at MSC 2025 included Ahmed Alattar, UAE Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany; Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union; and Muath Alwari, Director of Policy Planning in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
