Kuwait city: Kuwait is working to draft a convention that would enshrine in international law the principles of dignity, protection, and equal access to diagnosis, care, and treatment for people with rare diseases, said the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tariq Al-Bannai.
According to Kuwait News Agency, this announcement was made in a speech delivered by Ambassador Al-Bannai during the celebration of the second anniversary of World Awareness Day for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the UN headquarters. Al-Bannai highlighted that the proposed agreement aims to enhance research cooperation, data exchange, and health system capacity in each region concerning this rare disease. The agreement will also focus on ensuring that the lived experiences of those affected by the disease, especially families, are central to policy design and implementation.
The ambassador described the process as "comprehensive and long-term," emphasizing the need for regional consensus, engagement with health organizations as partners, and securing broad political support crucial for its adoption and implementation. Al-Bannai urged all delegations to join Kuwait in this initiative through constructive engagement and ongoing dialogue.
The State of Kuwait submitted this resolution, which was unanimously adopted with the support of 128 member states, marking the highest number of sponsors for a draft resolution during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.