KICRI wide participation gripped world attention - FM

KUWAIT, Feb 14 (KUNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said on Wednesday that the wide participation witnessed by the Kuwait International Conference on Iraq Reconstruction (KICRI) gripped the world attention.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said, in a press conference after the end of KICRI concluding session, that participation clearly reflects keenness by the security and stability of Iraq and the great importance of the international community, including sincere desire from all participants to actively contribute to support Iraq, and to achieve security and stability of the region and the world at large.
Sheikh Sabah added that KICRI began with an initiative by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in view of the importance of the international community to support Iraq after the liberation of its lands from the so-called Islamic State (IS), and the urgent call for security and stability in the region through various and varied plans.
The foreign minister explained that the conference will develop multiple and varied plans for the reconstruction of Iraq.
He said that the wide participation in previous working sessions shows the keenness by the international community to support Iraq at all levels, which contributes positively to the progress and well-being of the Iraqi people.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled added KICRI included wide participation from 76 participating countries, along with 51 international development funds, 107 local and international NGOs, in addition to 1,850 representatives from the private sector.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled added KICRI message from this conference is that the international community is interested in the security and stability of Iraq and its reconstruction, pointing to the need of Iraq to stand with its brothers and friends to continue its progress and prosperity.
The foreign minister also said that after the conference's page was closed today, we need consultations with the five co-presidents of this conference to setup a mechanism so that we can follow up on all pledges and commitments announced at the conference.
In response to a question on Kuwait's compensation and whether it will be deducted from today's Kuwait pledge, he stressed that the Kuwaiti compensation resulting from the Iraq's invasion has a different course.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thanked, in a press conference at the end of KICRI, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his hosting KICRI, noting that the Amir was "distinguished by generosity, solidarity and wisdom." Guterres stressed that efforts exerted by His Highness the Amir reflects on his keenness to help with humanitarian activities, adding that Kuwait is currently leading itself by calling for this conference in solidarity with the government and people of Iraq.
"The overwhelming response to this conference was a stunning demonstration of confidence in the Iraqi government and people," UN Chief said, adding that the international community was showing recognition that Iraq was on the right track for stability.
"The international community reaffirms its gratitude for the courage shown by the Iraqi people in confronting the so-called Islamic State (IS)," Guterres, adding that terrorism is an international phenomenon.
"We are working in 700 projects in the city of Mosul in cooperation with 10,000 Iraqis," he said.
"The international community needs to mobilize efforts to support the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people to ensure the full success of the stabilization process." Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abbadi said that past struggles in his country has gone now, and they are a reminder that Baghdad's allies are there.
Al-Abbadi said that the initiative to host this conference was a notable show of support.
Al-Abbadi cited the large turnout to the event as a testament to the international community's concern over Iraq's welfare.
He went on to thank Kuwait for holding productive meetings that were yet another efforts to keep terrorism away.
Furthermore, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari said that Iraq's troubles of the past and difficulties "proved to us that we are not alone, but we have friends who stood by us.
Al-Jaafari said, after the press conference, that the most prominent factors of these stands was the initiative made by Kuwait in organizing and holding this conference.
He added that the amount of contributions announced at the conference, including investments and grants do not meet all the needs for Iraq, but they were not small, adding they will continue to seek investment, which is an important economic factor to overcome Iraq ordeal.
He pointed out that the number of organizations and companies involved in the conference confirms keenness by the international community and its constant efforts to help Iraq and stand by it.
Al-Jaafari praised the role played by Kuwait, the government and people, pointing out that the United Nations has proved that it stands by affected countries.
Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq kicked off last Monday with the participation of a number of donor countries and international and regional organizations, headed by five parties - the European Union, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Nations and the World Bank.
The conference aimed to mobilize momentum to alleviate the suffering of the millions of displaced and affected Iraqi victims of the war on terrorism as well as the reconstruction of areas liberated from terrorism and areas in need of assistance. (end) mb