ABU DHABI — The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, on Thursday upheld the UAE's preliminary objections against Qatar in the case concerning the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, in its final binding and non-appealable judgment.

A plenary session of the Court was held at the Peace Palace in The Hague. The president of the Court, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, read the court's decision. Dr. Hissa Abdullah Ahmed Al-Otaiba, the UAE agent and ambassador to the Netherlands, represented the UAE at the delivery of the judgment.

The court held that the UAE's actions could not be racial discrimination, in accordance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and therefore rejected Qatar's claim under the convention.

Abdullah Al Naqbi, director of the International Law Department of the UAE's foreign ministry praised the ruling by the International Court of Justice, reaffirming the UAE's utmost respect for the court and appreciation for its work.

He stressed that the UAE has worked to implement all its obligations in accordance with the AlUla Declaration of Jan. 5, 2021, and has lifted all measures against Qatar under the declaration issued on June 5, 2017. Al Naqbi noted that the UAE looks forward to achieving full implementation and compliance with the AlUla Declaration and its mechanisms.

He pointed out as well that the UAE welcomes all efforts to achieve coordination between all parties on common issues and topics, in order to achieve the objectives of AlUla Declaration and the vision of the GCC.—WAM