Kuwait Outlines Goals For Security Council Tenure

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalid Al Jarallah stated that while the performance and effectiveness of the UN Security Council had been crippled in recent years, there is a vital role that it must play and shared that Kuwait would seek to strengthen and support its capabilities, speaking at the Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute, at a seminar on Kuwait’s non-permanent position at the United Nations Security Council for the next two years. He pointed to a lack of unity within the Security Council and remarked that Kuwait, in coordination with other member countries, would push for a breakthrough in the UN Security Council to achieve a united stand even as crises the world over, escalate, and the burden of these continue to increase exponentially.

He conveyed a measured optimism in the capabilities of the Security Council to contend with the many challenges in the world today but hoped that the large aspirations of the small country of Kuwait would be influential in bringing about change on account of its personal relationships and its reputation. He stated that Kuwait was beginning its Security Council membership at a time when the US leadership has different ideas on the role of the UN.

He shared that this might negatively affect its vision and impact and the reduction of funds and resources supplied to the UN would have a negative effect on the peacekeeping missions in the world. Deputy Minister Al Jarallah touched upon the efforts exerted by Kuwait before the nomination that employed various diplomatic tools and highlighted the Kuwait Fund for Development as having played an important role as an economic tool. He stated that the securing of 188 votes was a great achievement of Kuwaiti diplomacy under the leadership of HH the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah.

He affirmed that as Kuwait begins its UN Security Council membership in January 2018, it would practice a balanced policy on pertinent topics and practice preventative diplomacy in resolving the conflicts and disputes that affect the peace and security worldwide. He shared that Kuwait would also be active in strengthening the capabilities of the UN Secretary General and his plan on focusing on means and tools to limit conflicts before they expand.

He stressed that Kuwait would work diligently in the use of peaceful means for mediation to solve disputes and seek to diffuse conflicts before they become explosive or disastrous. He highlighted the major role Kuwait had played in mediation with regards to Yemen as well as its continued humanitarian efforts in the country.

He stated that stressing on humanitarian efforts and the need for an efficient and influential humanitarian role in the current state of the world would be a priority agenda. He affirmed Kuwait’s continued support to the UN and its agencies and its pledge to support the participation of smaller, marginalised countries in the organisation through its membership. Deputy Minister Al Jarallah pointed out that in disputes between great countries, non-permanent members can play an effective and influential role in moving forward if they are coordinated in harmony.

Consultant to the Amiri Diwan and Former Kuwaiti Envoy to the UN, Mohammad Abu Al Hassan also participated in the forum that discussed Kuwait’s election to one of the six principal organs of the UN mandated with the maintenance of international peace and security. He shared the history of Kuwait and the UN, especially during the Iraqi invasion, describing the conditions that preceded the event and the process that followed.

He revealed that internal conflicts and civil wars, and terrorism and terror funding are the new additions to the conflicts and challenges faced today. He discussed the limitations of the veto exercised by permanent members of the Security Council and shared both the successful and unsuccessful attempts made by Kuwait towards reform in the UN procedures and setup.

 

SOURCE : ARABTIMES

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