Kuwait reaffirms firm commitment to protecting diplomatic and consular missions and ensuring their security

Kuwait has reaffirmed its firm commitment to respecting the inviolability of diplomatic and consular missions, safeguarding their security and the safety of their representatives, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.

This statement was made in Kuwait’s address delivered by Jasem Al-Amiri, Second Secretary of its Permanent Mission to the United Nations, before the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the UN General Assembly during the discussion of agenda item 82, titled “Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and premises.”

Al-Amiri emphasized that international rules concerning the protection of missions ensure their ability to perform their functions independently and securely, forming one of the fundamental pillars of peaceful relations among states. He clarified that the host State bears a special obligation under Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to take all appropriate steps to protect mission premises against any intrusion or damage, and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity in any way.

He added that Article 29 of the Convention stipulates the respect for and protection of the person of a diplomatic agent, while Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations ensures the inviolability and protection of consular premises.

He stressed that obligations regarding the respect for and protection of mission premises remain in force even in cases of the severance of diplomatic or consular relations or armed conflicts, warning of the importance of resolving any disputes concerning mission activities through legal and diplomatic means, with full respect for the inviolability of their premises and the safety of their personnel.

He underscored the necessity for States to bear international responsibility for internationally wrongful acts attributable to them, including halting violations, providing full reparation for resulting damage, and offering assurances of non-repetition.

In this context, Al-Amiri renewed Kuwait’s strongest condemnation of the blatant Iranian attack that targeted the premises of the United States Embassy in Kuwait using drones in March 2026, considering the attack a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and the inviolability of the mission premises, a threat to the security of its staff and nearby civilians and civilian facilities, and a undermining of the rules that ensure the continuity of diplomatic relations among States.