The relationship between the United States and China is a key barometer of global stability, and managing it through what he described as controlled competition is critical for international security, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, said at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
He said that if the US- China relationship is handled carefully, it can serve as a stabilising factor globally. Gargash also stressed the continued importance of nuclear arms control, calling for renewed dialogue and agreements, and said the frameworks developed in the 1970s and 1980s remain relevant today.
Turning to the region, Gargash said resolving the Palestinian issue is essential for stability in West Asia and must be pursued through political means rather than confrontation. “It has to be done through political processes,” he said, adding that experience has repeatedly shown this to be the only viable path.
Addressing speculation that the UAE could take on a civilian administrative role in Gaza, Gargash rejected the reports outright. “We’ve come out with a refutation of that. So it’s not true,” he said. He added that the UAE would, however, remain engaged through humanitarian support, noting that it had been a major donor over the past two years, providing about 45 per cent of aid to Gaza.
Gargash said any future role in Gaza would require close coordination with the Palestinians, Egypt, Israel and Jordan, with strong American leadership playing a central role. He expressed hope for progress in what he described as the second phase of President Donald Trump’s plan.
On Turkey’s suggestion of deploying forces to Gaza, Gargash said such a move would require broad agreement among all parties involved. “You have to have consensus, because you want those boots to be part of a bigger orchestra, not a lone player,” he said.
He argued that the path forward must be political, addressing both Palestinian statehood and Israeli security simultaneously. Gargash also noted that in a changing world, many countries are hedging their bets and building multiple relationships, making tangible and credible partnerships with allies like the United States essential for the UAE.