Abu Dhabi has yet put another impressive display of political vision and extraordinary leadership, which has reflected the respect it enjoys on the world stage. President, His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held high-level talks with leaders from across the region on January 18. The meeting marks an important milestone in the UAE's increasingly vital role in the region and beyond, though it might have come as a surprise for some; nevertheless, a closer look reveals a remarkable political message and the UAE's ability to adapt to rapidly changing global politics, with wisdom and rationality.
As I get the opportunity to offer an analysis of the summit, its context, and its outcomes, I may note that Emirati diplomacy has once again proved its agility and adaptability in the face of volatile global politics. The UAE, thus, has earned the respect of decision-makers around the world.
Having earned its position among the world's influential states, the UAE continues to build solid relations with allies and partners, focus on outcome and achievement, and form a holistic vision for dealing with crises and challenges, away from lip service and empty formalities. For this reason, many analysts have described the UAE's policy as an example of bold political rationality: the UAE seeks regional coordination, effective solutions, and unity in facing global challenges.
Adapting to Global Change
Arab decision-making had been, until the 'Arab Spring', characterised by political negligence. Yet, this changed with the waves of unrest that swept the region. Big international think tanks and policy houses gave unusually accurate estimates of the political effects of events unravelling at the time, to the point where one would have thought intelligence secrets of political plots for the region were being leaked.
The meeting, called by the President, His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, brings a novel style to decision-making that departs from the traditional approach to Arab politics. His Highness's leadership is centred on consultation among Arab leaders, a deep understanding of global politics and events, and a shift away from ceremonial protocols that defeat the purpose of agile decision-making and adaptability.
In contrast to usually long declarations produced by Arab summits, Abu Dhabi's was terse, summarising the leaders' commitment to stronger partnership and cooperation for regional development, prosperity, and stability.
In line with current global challenges and the international desire for stability, the statement aligns with these aspirations. The Arab world is desperate for stability more than any other region. If these aspirations are neglected, only one of two scenarios could happen: first, economic and social deterioration would lead to chaos where instability could spiral out of control. This was experienced by some Arab nations previously.
The second and more worrying scenario is the threat to stability across the entire region. Terrorist groups, backed by foreign and regional players, could emerge, which would have deeply concerning implications. Arab societies could face 'ideological high-jacking where the extremist groups spill division and micro-identities that drive the social fabric into fragmentation. The outcome of either of these scenarios would be a complete failure of economic and developmental efforts in the region. Stability foregoes prosperity. Perhaps, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya are the clearest examples. Therefore, the first rational step would be to build political stability in the region to pave the way for economic and social welfare.
Visionary Messages
The fraternal consultative meeting carries several positive messages, which may be summarised as follows:
1. UAE's diplomatic agility in the Middle East:
Middle East and GCC politics remain a priority for UAE's political strategy. While the UAE, for a while, has focused on international diplomacy, regional issues have remained at the heart of the UAE's strategic security.
As the UAE builds a vision to expand its role in the international arena, it remains focused on achieving stability and peace in the region. Healthy Arab-Arab relations, based on mutual interest, respect, and shared security priorities, remain a key priority for the UAE. It has developed a unique approach to dealing with differences, by shifting focus to shared interests and the destiny of the Arab world, calling for coordination, partnership, and overcoming political differences to achieve collective prosperity for the entire region.
2. Continuing consultation:
While Arab states may have their raison d’état regarding regional strategy, many leaders still understand the importance of intra-Arab coordination, which enables better responses to regional threats, changes, or instability, as experienced nearly a decade ago. Lessons of the past could not be forgotten. And the absence of some Arab states does not necessarily mean a lack of coordination; instead, there exists a collective Arab understanding, and ambition for peace, stability, and development, while respecting national priorities and sovereignty as the political landscape of the region shifts.
3. Arab stability first:
The Middle East is unique because many actors exist from and outside the region. Some have agenda to exploit the region and undo what the UAE has achieved in the wake of the Arab Spring, rebuilding a disenfranchised society which had been taken advantage of by certain players. The Arab political scene remains complicated and requires a shared vision that helps drive it forward towards stability and peace.
The Abu Dhabi meeting is the culmination of a series of critical political initiatives across the region, including:
• The Cairo Summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and attended by Jordanian King Abdullah II, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas;
• A diplomatic visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to Turkey and Syria on January 14 and 17;
• A US envoy visit to Baghdad on January 16, headed by deputy assistant president and White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk.
Therefore, Arab-Arab coordination, in light of ongoing diplomatic movements, has become an essential step towards achieving peace and stability in the region.
Finally, the Abu Dhabi meeting has carried an important message: past experience has given Arab states enough reasons to become more aware of and responsive to international and regional shifts, for non-Arab actors have the region's best interest at the bottom of their priorities. Most non-Arab interventions in the region have been detrimental to its stability. Arab states must become exceedingly prepared for the worst as global politics enter a new era, shifting the world order rapidly in unprecedented ways.
