The UAE welcomes the adoption of a Gulf resolution by the World Health Organization

The United Arab Emirates welcomed the adoption by the World Health Assembly (the highest decision-making body within the World Health Organization) during its current session of a resolution submitted by the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan regarding the health repercussions resulting from the treacherous terrorist attacks targeting civilians and vital civilian infrastructure, including health facilities.

The adopted resolution focuses on the humanitarian and public health repercussions affecting the civilian population, the continuity of health services, the resilience of health systems, and ensuring access to medicines, vaccines, safe water, and essential health products.

The resolution also included a condemnation in the strongest terms of the terrorist attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran against civilians and civilian objects, including vital and essential objects in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan, which resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians, including children, and caused damage to health and medical infrastructure, water desalination plants, energy facilities, airports, and ports.

The UAE – in a statement delivered before the Assembly by Jamal Al-Musharrekh, the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva – affirmed a clear principle that attacks against civilians, public health and civilian infrastructure must not become routine or acceptable.

He said, “Protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including health facilities and essential supply routes, is a fundamental responsibility under international law, and a necessary condition for maintaining public health at the regional and global levels.”

The statement considered that the terrorist attacks of more than 3,000 missile and drone attacks carried out by Iran and its affiliated militias against countries not involved in the conflict, including those that targeted civilians and civilian objects and resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians, created serious risks to public health throughout the region.

The statement also referred to the terrorist attack with a drone coming from Iraqi territory, which targeted the Barakah peaceful nuclear power plant and hit an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the plant, describing this as a direct violation of international law.

The statement also pointed out that the disturbances that affected the Strait of Hormuz endangered vital supply lines, which are the routes necessary to provide essential medical supplies, medicines, and vaccines to ensure the functioning of health systems, as well as harming supply chains for food and fuel.

The statement indicated that the adopted resolution proposes a practical response through mechanisms for assessment and reporting on the impact of such attacks and threats on affected countries, including their impact on mental health, psychosocial support, and global health.

The UAE explained that the decision addresses the broader repercussions of the disruptions affecting global supply chains and energy pathways on the ability to afford and access to health products, especially in developing countries.

The UAE expressed its appreciation to member states for their support in adopting the resolution, which reflects a joint international commitment to protecting civilians, health systems, and vital civilian infrastructure.