Kuwaiti official: UN agencies, Kuwait keen on int’l cooperation, sustainable development

Since joining the UN on May 14, 1963 as the 111th member, the State of Kuwait had been keen on collaborating with the organization to boost international cooperation and sustainable development worldwide.

Speaking to KUNA on the anniversary of joining the UN, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Affairs Minister Plenipotentiary Abdulaziz Al-Jarallah commended the exemplary relations between Kuwait and the UN throughout the years.

The State of Kuwait had abided by the UN charter since joining the organization, affirmed Al-Jarallah who lauded the strong and strategic cooperation with the international organization.

He thanked the UN for its unequivocal supportive stance towards Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion of 1990 and the subsequent efforts played by the UN and other international players in the liberation of 1991.

The liberation of Kuwait had reflected the strength of international coordination in rallying support to a just cause, affirmed Al-Jarallah.

Asked about the highlights of the six decades membership of Kuwait in the UN, Al-Jarallah said that his country made it its mission to support efforts for international stability and security, adding that Kuwaitis were also keen on assisting humanitarian causes far and wide.

He noted that Kuwait’s efforts within the humanitarian domain had earned the country the title of international humanitarian center in 2014, the same honor went to His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who was named as a global humanitarian leader.

Kuwait’s relentless efforts made it a perfect candidate for hosting offices of UN agencies and affiliated organizations.

Kuwait is host to the United Nations House since 2009, who has plethora of organizations offices under it including the OCHA, UNHCR, WHO, UNDP, IOM, UNICEF, WFP, UN HABITAT, and others, pointed out the Kuwaiti diplomat.

Al-Jarallah noted that the extensive diplomatic efforts by Kuwait enabled it to become a chair member in numerous UN organizations, namely the United Nations Human Rights Council 2011-14, United Nations Economic and Social Council 1967-69, and so on.

Kuwait had hosted several international conferences connected with the crises in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen as well as a conference dedicated to the plight of the Rohingya, he revealed.

In regards to the Kuwait’s non-permanent membership in the UNSC 2018-19, Al-Jarallah said that Kuwait focused its efforts during its tenure to highlight Arab and Islamic causes as well as bolstering security and peace in several regions specifically the Middle East where the Palestinian cause is a focal issue that needed to be resolved.

The Kuwaiti efforts at the UNSC had resulted in various resolutions including 2019’s resolution 2474, which gained approval from the majority at the UNSC.

The resolution pertained to missing persons during armed conflict, he indicated.

In joint efforts with Sweden, Germany, and Belgium in 2018, resolutions 2401 and 2449 came to fruition concerning the humanitarian situation in war-torn Syria and efforts to bring a peaceful resolution to the situation there.

In April and May of 2018, Kuwait alongside several members of the Security Council had visit Bangladesh to view the situation of the Rohingya refugees who fled the Myanmar due to being prosecuted.

In June of 2019, the State of Kuwait — the then President of the UNSC — had visited Kuwait and Iraq in coordination with a US delegation, a visit, which resulted in a press statement commending Kuwait for its efforts to bolster the stability and security in Iraq.

The visit to Kuwait in particular was aimed at viewing Iraq’s commitment to the cause of missing Kuwaiti citizens in Iraqi soil, Kuwaiti properties, and the national archives.

Source: Kuwait News Agency