NEW YORK, June 24 (KUNA) -- The state of Kuwait has affirmed its firm support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and its objectives, as it is a cornerstone of stability in the region.
This came in a speech delivered by Kuwait's Permanent Representtive to the United Nations Mansour Al-Otaibi during the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA on Thursday evening.
Kuwait's latest show of support was in October of 2021 as it pledged USD 21.5 million for the agency to support Palestinian refugees, as well as two million dollars designated for the agency's regular budget.
Al-Otaibi commented that Kuwait's support to UNRWA's work stems from its firm belief in the fairness of the Palestinian cause and the agency's pivotal role in alleviating the suffering of Palestinian refugees.
He added that Kuwait is following the agency's unprecedented political and financial challenges with great concern, calling on the international community to take a solid stance in supporting work of agency.
Al-Otaibi went on to say that the agency's work is now more essential than ever as coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm, paralyzing all flanks of life and affecting people and countries involved in political and military conflicts, with Palestinians at the helm.
He reiterated Kuwait's support to the reformative path the agency is taking, and its efforts in bolstering transparency, commending its priorities as it works on updating its internal affairs, including digitalization, governance, decentralizing decision-making and abiding by principles of objectivities.
Al-Otaibi also hailed UNRWA's commitment to insuring a stable, sustained and diverse financing base via working with international institutions, global funds, and private sector.
Moreover, Al-Otaibi stated that clear political support to the agency is not a matter of dispute but is essential to helping it carry on its humanitarian activities. (end) asf.aai