Ahmed AboulGheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, extended gratitude to Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, over the continuous efforts of the Emirates administration in the global fight against the COVID-19 health crisis and reducing the impact of the pandemic across various countries. As per State news agency WAM, AboulGheitalso lauded the efforts taken by the UAE in support of the Arab countries.

In his message, the Arab League Secretary-General hailed the UAE’s humanitarian approach for establishing the "Emirates Humanitarian City" in Abu Dhabi that provided shelter to hundreds of citizens of several countries who got stranded in China's Wuhan city amid the pandemic. He went onto extend support to Sheikh Abdullah’s call for the need to study the effects of the pandemic on the Arab World and steps to be taken to encourage joint Arab action to tackle the emerging challenges.

Praising the UAE’s precautionary measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus, AboulGheit said: "The measures taken by the UAE reflect an integrated and proactive vision to confront the pandemic, as well as the pivotal role it plays in preserving human health and providing all forms of support, to reduce the spread of the virus among citizens and residents."

He further lauded the contributions made by the UAE towards the Council of Arab Ministers of Health in implementing the approved measures to counter the ramifications of COVID-19 on health sectors across the Arab countries. The Secretary-General stressed the need for cooperation in strengthening Arab health systems to eliminate unprecedented repercussions.

Pointing out that directives have been issued to professional sectors of the General Secretariat, he stated that it will help in improving the level of services provided to Arab citizens. Meanwhile, deliberations are taking place among heads of the council’s current session and its executive office to hold a virtual meeting of the council in the first half of June.

Responding to AboulGheit's praises, Sheikh Abdullah sent a message to the Secretary-General pledging UAE's uninterruptedsupport in the global pandemic fight and its solidarity with Arab countries. He further highlighted the steps taken by the Arab League in coordinating the collective pan-Arab efforts in weathering the global health emergency.

Supporting the Arab League Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire in a bid to confront the health crisis, the Foreign Affairs Minister said, "I see eye to eye with His Excellency AboulGheit in his view that it is high time for silencing cannons and defusing conflicts so that we can dedicate all efforts to confront the pandemic. The Arab world is in need of collective action."

In its commitment to support the world in the COVID-19 fight, the UAE has so far sent more than 716 tonnes of medical aid to over 63 countries. The aid has provided assistance to more than 716,000 medical professionals across the world.

WAM