The United Arab Emirates took part in the sixth international consultative meeting on Sudan in Geneva, where regional and global partners discussed how to coordinate diplomatic efforts as the war and humanitarian crisis continue. The meeting was held at the Palais des Nations on 21 October and co-hosted by Switzerland and the United Nations office supporting the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan.
Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of State, represented the country. In setting out the UAE’s position, he reiterated support for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian truce followed by a permanent ceasefire. The UAE also backed a transitional process leading to a civilian government independent of the warring parties and extremist groups. These are the UAE’s stated policy priorities; they should not be read as evidence that every participant endorsed each formulation.
UAE calls for a truce and civilian-led transition
The UAE said the meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen coordination among regional and international partners, unify efforts to end the war and respond to the humanitarian emergency. Its stated approach links a truce to a subsequent permanent ceasefire and a political transition. The minister also emphasised urgent relief and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need.
The call for a civilian government independent of the parties at war and extremist groups was part of the UAE’s own framing. It reflects the country’s position on the direction of a transition, rather than a detailed agreement adopted by the whole meeting. The UAE described its support as consistent with the Sudanese people’s aspirations for security and stability and reiterated the need for a peaceful, sustainable political solution.
Partners seek to align separate peace efforts
The meeting brought together representatives of more than 20 countries and several international and regional organisations, including the UAE. Switzerland and the United Nations co-chaired the discussions. The forum’s purpose was to help peace initiatives reinforce one another, identify practical areas for cooperation and align diplomatic engagement around the needs of Sudanese people. The mechanism builds on five earlier consultative meetings, most recently held in Cairo in January 2026.
The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces were not represented. The consultative mechanism is designed for mediators and external partners to coordinate their efforts; it was not a direct negotiating session between the armed sides. That distinction matters when describing what the gathering could achieve: participants discussed diplomatic coordination and called for steps towards de-escalation, but the meeting did not announce a ceasefire agreement.
In their summary, the co-chairs said participants voiced grave concern about continued fighting, reported atrocities, drone attacks and worsening humanitarian needs, including the risk of famine. They called for immediate de-escalation and urged the parties to engage genuinely in steps that could improve civilian protection. Participants also stressed that there was no military solution to the conflict and welcomed efforts to secure a humanitarian truce as a step towards a durable ceasefire.
Humanitarian access and political process remain central
Humanitarian access was a central concern in the discussions. The co-chairs said ongoing fighting and restrictions on aid delivery, alongside dry conditions and delayed rains, were increasing the danger of famine. Participants stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected and that relief needs to reach people in need. These are priorities expressed in the meeting summary, not confirmation that access has improved or that aid deliveries have increased as a result of the talks.
On the political track, participants supported an inclusive, credible process led and owned by Sudanese people. The co-chairs said durable peace would require meaningful involvement across Sudan’s political and civilian spectrum, including women and young people, and a credible transitional path towards sustainable peace and democratic governance. They also rejected parallel governments or institutions and reaffirmed Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
The co-chairs said participants intended to convene a seventh consultative meeting, but its date, venue and agenda have not been set. A technical task force is to continue coordination and preparations in the meantime. The Geneva meeting therefore established no new timetable for a political settlement. Its stated purpose was to sustain dialogue, coordinate outside initiatives and identify ways for those efforts to support a peaceful outcome.
For the UAE, the meeting was an occasion to restate its support for a humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire, unhindered assistance and a civilian-led transition. The broader co-chair summary records shared calls for de-escalation, civilian protection and an inclusive political process, while keeping the specific UAE formulation attributable to the UAE.
