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Kuwait FM hails role of UN, importance of multilateralism

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah

NEW YORK, Sept 24 (KUNA) --  Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah has described Kuwait's relationship with the United Nations as "close and historic", recalling the pivotal role played by the global organisation in issuing more than 20 Security Council resolutions to liberate Kuwait and regain its legitimacy.
"Iraq's brutal invasion of the State of Kuwait was a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations in its occupation and aggression against a sovereign state and a member of the United Nations," he said in an interview with Kuwait state television.
The historic event, he continued, "constituted a flagrant violation of the sovereign aspects, the independence of states and the use of force instead of dialogue - all of which are principles and values established in the Charter of the United Nations." "Praise be to God, and thanks to our brothers and friends and the commitment of the member states of the United Nations at the time." "There was a firm stand in denouncing the aggression and a distinguished role for restoring legitimacy and liberating Kuwait, and then there were many resolutions in the Security Council to establish Kuwait's independence and to address such matters," he said.
The foreign minister said the world, after 77 years of the establishment of the United Nations, is going through its "most dangerous period" due to the spread of wars, a global pandemic, widespread inflation, food crises and water security challenges.
"The more adherence there is to international law, the further away (the world is) from the law of the jungle. It leads to the security and stability of countries," said the minister.
The minister also put an emphasis on the strength of multilateralism, saying Kuwait regards the matter a "very important issue." In this regard, the foreign minister highlighted Kuwait's "steadfast" stance towards the Palestinian issue, describing it as the "largest and oldest crisis our contemporary world has experienced since the establishment of the United Nations." "This proves the catastrophic failure to deal decisively to resolve this issue," he remarked.
The implementation of Security Council resolutions should not be through "selectivity," said the minister. "This is a matter that is binding for everyone, and Kuwait continuously calls on the countries of the world to implement them in an equitable manner." "We always say to all peace-loving countries that it is important that there be a solution to this just cause that prevents more tragedies instigated by Israel inside occupied Palestinian territories or in the rest of the occupied Arab territories," he warned.
"We always say that moderate voices with the weakness of binding international resolutions increase radicalisation and extremism around the world." The minister outlined that the three aforementioned aspects are discussed extensively by Kuwaiti delegations at all bilateral, multi-regional and international meetings they attended.
He urged the international community to take a serious stance to address the long-standing issue through a serious stance and to present a solution that sees "hope prevail instead of despair."

Separately, he said that the issue of global food security is widespread amid the Ukrainian crisis - a matter discussed extensively at the General Assembly meetings.
Kuwait has been emphasizing this matter since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, said the minister, adding that has always been a priority for his country.
This issue has topped the list of concerns of the political leadership in Kuwait, he explained, and the country has taken many measures in cooperation with others to secure food in Kuwait.
Speaking on means to address the crisis, he said this requires global coordination, since "some countries have an abundance of food, others have a shortage and some have the ability to store materials and means of transportation." The minister indicated a likely "integrated and comprehensive view" from countries that have the capabilities to create a mechanism that facilitates overcoming this crisis.
Several meetings were held in which this matter was discussed, he mentioned, so that the solution to this crisis is sustainable not temporary.
The minister believes that the world failed on the issue on all indicators before the occurrence of the crisis in Ukraine, referring to a United Nations Secretary-General report, which states that the world will enter a famine by 2030.
He went on to underline the importance of strengthening regional blocs and cooperation between regional organisations. Kuwait as a key member of the 40-year-old Gulf Cooperation Council sees the benefits of this through the bloc's strength and immunity and as a major factor to its national security and a deterrent for those who seek to harm the country.
Geopolitical blocs and regional organisations such as the GCC, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (all of which Kuwait is a signatory to) "must be strengthened to reduce the signs that come from the weakness or lack of coordination at the United Nations," he said.
Kuwait has expressed its keenness to see an increase in the representation of Asian organisations, whether in the case of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) or the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Strengthening this enhances the economic relations between the countries represented in these organisations and Kuwait, as well as between them and the countries of the six-nation GCC bloc.
On His Highness the Amir's representative, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah's many meetings attended on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly talks, the minister said these included talks with members of the American Chamber of Commerce and heads of American companies and an education summit.
"The meetings with our American ally are a reminder of the strength and durability of this relationship and build on the many factors that enhance and deepen the interests between the two countries in all fields," he said.
On the economic scale, he said, it was important to identify all aspects of cooperation carried out by Kuwait's public and private entities in the US, and to outline the incentives for foreign investors in Kuwait, particularly American companies.
He said these meetings were a benefit to both sides, as His Highness the Prime Minister invested the opportunity to hold them specifically for this purpose.
On his own bilateral meetings, the foreign minister said that the meetings that took place focused on three fundamental factors that are well-established in Kuwait's foreign policy.
For the political leadership in Kuwait, it is the insistence on a foreign policy based on existentialism and the preservation of sovereignty and independence. "This is a fundamental issue rooted deeply in Kuwait's foreign policy." The other factor is to anticipate all that may contribute to the welfare of Kuwaiti nationals, while the third factor highlights the principle of non-alignment.
The minister concluded by indicating to Kuwait's reputation throughout the decades, which he described as "good," owing to its stances and humanitarian work, based on action and stances that reflect this pivotal role.
"We have a legacy in terms of mediation, which is now considered among the basics of multilateral work in the United Nations," he added. (end) fn.sd