Deputy Emir and Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Delivers Kuwait's Address at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly
The Emir’s Representative: I am pleased to convey the greetings of His Highness the Amir and his best wishes for the success of this session, congratulating Dr. Khalil Rahman and the Republic of Bangladesh on his election as President of the General Assembly.
The Emir’s Representative, addressing the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly: We reaffirm that reforming the Security Council, the organ entrusted with maintaining international peace and security, has become imperative to keep pace with the significant increase in the Organization’s membership and the changes that have occurred in international relations since its establishment. There is an urgent need for the Council to be more representative, effective, and transparent in discharging its responsibilities.
The Emir’s Representative, addressing the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly: Since last February, Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Jordan have been subjected to an egregious Iranian aggression involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, despite not being parties to the ongoing conflict in the region. This constitutes a blatant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter.
The Emir’s Representative: These brazen attacks have systematically and repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure and vital facilities, including Kuwait International Airport, power and water stations, and oil installations. This reveals an adversarial approach aimed at disrupting the foundations of life and critical infrastructure. These heinous attacks have claimed the lives of martyrs and innocent civilians, caused numerous injuries, and inflicted severe material and economic damage.
In a continued effort to harm the economies of countries in the region and the world, and to influence global trade and oil markets, Iran is obstructing maritime navigation and closing the Strait of Hormuz, using it as leverage in the conflict in violation of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.
Kuwait expresses its profound appreciation to the fraternal and friendly countries that stood by its side and demonstrated solidarity, as well as to the countries that sponsored Security Council Resolution 2817 and other international resolutions issued by the Human Rights Council and the International Maritime Organization, which condemned the Iranian aggression as a threat to international peace and security, called for its cessation, and affirmed the inherent right of states to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, emphasizing the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation without restriction or condition.
His Highness the Crown Prince, on behalf of His Highness the Amir: Kuwait reiterates its support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and achieving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. It commends the efforts and mediation led by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, emphasizing the necessity of reaching sustainable regional understandings based on a firm commitment to the principles of good neighborliness, respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, refraining from the use or threat of force, halting support for proxies and militias, and addressing the security concerns of all countries in the region, including the Iranian nuclear file, ballistic missiles, and drones. This is coupled with the assurance of freedom and safety of navigation and the right of passage through the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
Kuwait, in its foreign policy, is guided by the principles of the UN Charter, particularly respecting the principle of good neighborliness, sovereignty of states, and non-interference in internal affairs. From this perspective, the State of Kuwait regards the Republic of Iraq as a neighbor with whom it shares close ties, and as a partner in security and stability. Since the fall of the previous regime in 2003, Kuwait has been keen to support Iraq and stand by it in facing security, political, and economic challenges to restore its regional and international role and status, believing that a stable, secure, and prosperous Iraq represents a shared interest for Kuwait and the entire region.
The Emir’s Representative: Kuwait commends the steps taken by the Iraqi Prime Minister to consolidate state control over weapons and strengthen Iraq’s bilateral relations with neighboring countries.
We look forward to enhancing confidence-building measures between the two countries and advancing bilateral relations to broader horizons, concluding all outstanding files between the two countries, foremost among them completing the demarcation of the maritime boundary beyond Marker 162, in accordance with the rules of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We also emphasize adherence to the bilateral security and technical agreements and understandings signed between the two countries, as well as the Agreement on the Regulation of Maritime Navigation in the Khawr Abdullah and the 2008 Security Exchange Protocol, which serve as legal and practical tools for regulating navigation, protecting the environment, combating terrorism, and illegal arms and drug trafficking, and enhancing joint security.
The Emir’s Representative: We welcome the measures and decisions by the United Kingdom, France, and several other countries condemning settlement activities and imposing sanctions on settlers involved in violence and terrorism against Palestinians, as well as imposing import bans on goods and products from settlements.
The Emir’s Representative: Kuwait affirms that achieving a just, comprehensive, and permanent peace in the region remains contingent upon ending the Israeli occupation of all Arab territories, enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate, inalienable rights, and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Emir’s Representative: Kuwait affirms that any political settlement must safeguard the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, put an end to the suffering of its brotherly people, and open avenues for security, stability, and economic development. We stress the importance of preserving the security and safety of international maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Emir’s Representative: We strongly condemn the Houthi group’s attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which targeted civilian and economic assets in several cities. In this context, we affirm that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the GCC countries.
The Emir’s Representative: Kuwait reiterates its steadfast support for the Syrian Arab Republic and welcomes the steps and measures taken by the international community to lift sanctions against it and remove its name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The Emir’s Representative: We reaffirm our support for all efforts aimed at rebuilding state institutions and advancing a comprehensive and inclusive political process led by Syrians and with the active participation of all components of the Syrian people, in a manner that meets their legitimate aspirations for security, stability, and a decent life.
The Emir’s Representative: We emphasize the importance of respecting Syrian sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. We condemn and reject the attacks and incursions by Israeli occupation forces into Syrian territory, as they represent a serious escalation and a violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, undermining security and stability in the region.
