FM talks bilateral relations + Gaza with Australian counterpart: Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed ramping up bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, and investment sectors with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong yesterday, Wam reports. During their call, the ministers also touched on regional developments in the Middle East and the humanitarian impact on civilians in the Gaza Strip.

The FM also talked to his new Dutch counterpart: The Foreign Affairs Minister also discussed strengthening bilateral relations with the Netherlands’ newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp, focusing on sustainable economic development, Wam reports. The two also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East.

First statement from Sudan peace talks in Switzerland: A UAE delegation met with representatives of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) yesterday in Switzerland, alongside delegations from the US, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the African Union, and the UN, according to a statement from the delegations. The meeting came as part of ongoing talks to “advance protection of civilians, humanitarian access, and cessations of hostilities for Sudan.”

On the agenda: The delegations reiterated the need to uphold international humanitarian law by protecting civilians and allowing freedom of civilian movement, and vacating civilian infrastructure for regular usage. They also called on the RSF to open areas of the Gedaref-Wad Medani-Sennar road under its control, and specifically the Sennar junction, to expand access to humanitarian aid for up to 12 mn Sudanese across multiple states.

What’s next: The delegations want to meet with the Sudanese Armed Forces delegation next, who have so far refused to attend the talks — set to continue until the end of the week — in Switzerland. Sudan’s government said it will send a delegation to Cairo earlier this week for talks with US and Egyptian officials.

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