The United Nations marks the second anniversary of the International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on the 24th of April this year. This day is a reaffirmation of the UN Charter and its principles of resolving disputes among countries through peaceful means. It acknowledges the use of multilateral decision-making and diplomacy in achieving peaceful resolutions to conflicts among nations.
On this remarkable occasion, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations H.E Ambassador Nasser AlHain and the United Nations Secretary General Representative and the Resident Coordinator to the State of Kuwait Dr. Tarek AlSheikh expressed in a press release the importance of such occasion to mobilize additional cooperation and international synergy. H.E United Nations Secretary General Representative and Resident Coordinate Dr. Tarek AlSheikh asserted the importance of highlighting this occasion considering the current situation of the COVID-19 outbreak, the persistent unresolved conflicts, uncontrolled climate change, worsening inequalities, deteriorating of human rights conditions and other tragedies in the world, which undoubtedly underscores the importance of working together and promoting diplomacy for peace at the regional and international levels, and the need to strengthen cooperation between countries, companies, individuals and all parts of society and partner with International organizations to find solutions to regional and global challenges.
H.E Dr. AlSheikh noted that the State of Kuwait undertook a leading role in Multilateralism and diplomacy for peace, through its evident determined efforts and hard work during its membership in the Security Council for the years 2018-2019 for the second time, after its first membership in 1978-1979, as it spared no effort in taking decisions, especially in matters of concern to the Arab region and the maintenance of International peace and security. During its membership period, the State of Kuwait worked towards four key priorities that are 1. Arab States matters and Humanitarian issues, most notably the Palestinian profile, 2. Conflicts prevention, 3. Preventive Diplomacy and mediation, 4. Enhancement of the Security Council work mechanism.
In his statement on the occasion of International Day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace Day, H.E Ambassador Nasser AlHain reaffirmed the importance of marking this occasion to call for increased International cooperation in lights of the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens the whole world, while praising the vital role of the United Nations through the work of its specialized agencies to counter this crisis. H.E also reiterated the State of Kuwait’s commending of the United Nations role and the cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the United Nations through the Resident Coordinate to the State of Kuwait Dr. Tarek AlSheikh and Heads of specialized agencies. While underscoring the fruitful achievements that resulted from this cooperation namely granting H.E the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad AlJaber AlSabah the Humanitarian Leader title and the State of Kuwait International Humanitarian Center title, hosting of the International Pledging Conferences and Top Donor Meetings for the Syrian crisis in Kuwait and chairing besides the United Nations, the European Union and countries other conferences, hosting the Yemen-Yemen negotiations that exceeded three months’ timeframe under the auspices of the United Nations.
The State of Kuwait continued its Humanitarian efforts in supporting the vulnerable populations through contributing generously to ease their suffering. The State of Kuwait provided USD 1.9 billion in support of the Syrian crisis and USD 600 million for the Yemeni crisis. H.E AlHain added that since assuming its membership in the Security Council for the period of 2018-2019, the State of Kuwait did not hesitate to continue its humanitarian approach and wise moderate policy which manifested through major milestones during its membership.
During its first year tenor in the United Nations Security Council, The State of Kuwait, alongside the Kingdom of Sweden, had succeeded in leading the efforts of the United Nations Security Council in adopting two resolutions in relation to the Syrian Humanitarian Crisis. The first resolution is 2401 that was adopted unanimously, in February 24th 2018 during the State of Kuwait’s presidency in February 2018, which demands cessation of hostilities in Syria to enable humanitarian aid delivery.
The second resolution is 2449 that authorizes cross-border aid deliveries in Syria. In addition to the adoption of the resolution 2474 presented by the State of Kuwait concerned with the missing people during armed conflicts. The State of Kuwait also exerted great efforts in supporting Iraq on all levels, including hosting the Kuwait International Conference for the Rebuilding of Iraq. Kuwait played a major role in resolving the GCC dispute, as its efforts was a cornerstone in pushing for further negotiations to resolve the issues.
H.E AlHain added that the State of Kuwait has recently reasserted the notion of multilateralism through its generous contribution of USD 60 million in response to the United Nations Secretary General appeal and in support of WHO’s efforts to counter the spread of COVID-19, which contributes to the improvement of health systems in recipient countries, and aids WHO in ensuring efficient response. By this contribution, the State of Kuwait became the first and sole contributor from the MENA region to WHO’s emergency fund.
From his end, H.E Dr. AlSheikh stressed that the State of Kuwait sets an international exemplary for others to follow in areas of providing aid and assistance to maintain International peace and security, building international and regional partnerships, and adopting preventive and diplomacy for peace. The State of Kuwait has a firm belief in the importance of International Multilateralism and the effectiveness of International cooperation, as demonstrated lately in responding to COVID-19 unprecedented outbreak.
He also stressed that these effective efforts and effective political stances pursued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kuwaiti Government are considered an extension of the school of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Humanitarian Leader. We at the United Nations welcome and applaud the Kuwaiti role in supporting International Multilateralism on all levels to promote peace and security and enhance multilateral cooperation.
The Charter of the United Nations constitutes a tool to strengthen the role of diplomacy for peace, and charts the approach to be followed in the context of multilateralism, strengthening our commitment to achieving sustainable development goals and building a safer and fair world for future generations. Sticking to this commitment is necessary from the United Nations, all countries, and different spectrums of the society around the world, more than ever before to confront together an invisible enemy that strikes our peace, security, and our global, regional, and local economy and increases unemployment and poverty among the most vulnerable groups in an unrivaled manner.
Dr. Tareq al Sheikh
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