New york: The State of Kuwait has issued a call to intensify global efforts aimed at eradicating poverty and achieving equitable development, with a focus on sustainable financing, environmental protection, and expanding social security networks. This appeal was made by Rashed S. Al-Abhoul, Third Secretary of Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, during the general debate of the Second Committee of the United Nations on Economic and Financial Affairs.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Abhoul emphasized that eradicating poverty in all its forms remains Kuwait’s ultimate goal. He noted that a decade after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, only 35 percent have shown tangible progress, with nearly half remaining stalled and 18 percent falling below the 2015 baseline. The annual financing gap has now exceeded USD 4 trillion, reflecting the urgent need for action.
Al-Abhoul highlighted the pressing nature of climate challenges, citing disasters such as floods, droughts, and forest f
ires that have caused significant economic losses, leading to an annual contraction of about 5 percent in some economies. He called for the creation of a flexible and accessible climate finance mechanism and urged the establishment of partnerships to facilitate development progress, alleviate debt burdens, and direct investments towards sustainable agriculture, food supply chains, innovation, and digital infrastructure.
He further pointed out that the existing international financial system is inadequate for addressing current challenges, advocating for comprehensive reform to enhance its fairness and transparency. Al-Abhoul underscored the importance of institutional models for solidarity in development, referencing Kuwait’s establishment of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in 1961 as an example. This fund has financed over a thousand projects in more than a hundred countries.
Addressing the Middle East situation, Al-Abhoul expressed concerns over human rights and environmental violations. He
condemned the Israeli occupation’s use of starvation as a weapon and denounced the terrorizing of unarmed civilians, urging for the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid and holding violators accountable.
In conclusion, Al-Abhoul stressed that the next five years would be crucial for achieving tangible and measurable progress in these areas.