Sheikh Mohammed during the Arab Strategy Forum 2024 in Dubai on Wednesday. WAM

Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the urgent need for the region to resolve its conflicts and bring together the efforts of its people to achieve comprehensive prosperity.

"The security and prosperity of the region are intertwined, and it is the collective responsibility of everyone to contribute to building a better tomorrow for future generations," Sheikh Mohammed said.

Sheikh Mohammed also stressed that avoiding alignment with global polarisations is crucial for regional stability and prosperity. Sheikh Mohammed expressed that Palestine holds a significant place "in our collective consciousness.”

Sheikh Mohammed, his sons and Sheikh Saif attend Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai. WAM

He highlighted the UAE's role as one of the first nations calling for an end to the conflict, the protection of civilian lives, and actively providing humanitarian aid to people in the Gaza Strip.

Stressing the high human and resource costs of wars, Sheikh Mohammed underscored the need to put an end to the ongoing conflict and exert maximum efforts towards achieving lasting peace.

Sheikh Mohammed said that the unique geographical location of the UAE has positioned it as an impactful bridge for humanitarian and cultural exchanges between nations.

"The UAE values diversity in political, economic and global perspectives among nations, maintaining a strategic approach for addressing crises and developmental challenges," he noted.

He added that economic and political crises faced by nations are temporary, despite their perceived difficulties.

"We are confident that in the coming years, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will continue to consolidate their influential presence both regionally and internationally. They will also venture into new horizons in economic diversification, which is expected to have a positive impact on people of the region and the world,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

During his welcome address, Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Arab Strategy Forum, outlined three trends shaping the future of the region and the world.

Al Gergawi noted that the most prominent shift in the region is the unprecedented ramifications of the Palestinian cause and the war in Gaza, which has so far claimed more than 22,000 lives, left more than 57,000 casualties, destroyed 60% of the infrastructure in Gaza, and displaced 90% of the population.

The minister labelled the war as “an unprecedented humanitarian disaster in decades. Despite the horrors of this war and efforts of many countries to stop it, we need to reflect on it.”

He added, “This war is not only between the Palestinians and Israel, but we also witnessed a global diplomatic war, international division, and a global media war. Today, war is not won on the battlefield, but rather in the media sphere where the victory is claimed by the party with the strongest narrative.”