Harris to Discuss Gaza Ceasefire with UAE Leader Amid Regional Tensions

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to meet with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on September 25, 2024. The discussion will focus on efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and negotiate a hostage deal, according to a White House official.

This high-level meeting occurs during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, established in 1945. It provides an opportunity for Harris, the first female, African American, and Asian American Vice President, to showcase her national security expertise.

President Joe Biden will also hold separate talks with the UAE leader. These meetings are part of a series of diplomatic engagements with foreign leaders in New York City.

The talks come at a time of heightened regional tensions. Recently, Israel conducted airstrikes on numerous Hezbollah targets, resulting in significant casualties in Lebanon. Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon, has been engaged in conflict with Israel for nearly a year.

The discussions are expected to cover additional topics, including the UAE's involvement in the Sudan conflict, which began in 2023, and its ambitious plans for artificial intelligence development. The UAE, a federation of seven emirates founded in 1971, has been at the forefront of AI initiatives in the Arab world, establishing the first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence in 2017.

The United States and UAE have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972, with the Gulf state playing a crucial role in regional affairs. Notably, the UAE was instrumental in the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations with Israel in 2020.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who assumed the UAE presidency in 2022, has been actively involved in mediation efforts for various regional conflicts. The UAE's commitment to technological advancement is evident in its Vision 2021 and Vision 2030 plans, which heavily emphasize AI development.

The meeting also highlights the UAE's growing importance in global affairs. Since launching its first artificial satellite, DubaiSat-1, in 2009, the country has continued to expand its technological capabilities and international influence.

As the Gaza Strip remains under blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007, the discussions between Harris and the UAE President are crucial for regional stability. The UAE's track record in providing humanitarian aid during global crises positions it as a potentially influential partner in addressing the ongoing situation.

This diplomatic engagement underscores the complex interplay of regional politics, technological advancement, and humanitarian concerns in the Middle East. As world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly's regular annual session, the outcomes of these talks may have far-reaching implications for peace efforts and technological cooperation in the region.

"Vice President Harris will discuss efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal in her meeting with the UAE President."