Kuwait: UN anniversary coincides with dangerous regional developments and the need for the organization to apply its principles effectively

Kuwait affirmed today that this year’s anniversary of the founding of the United Nations coincides with dangerous developments in the Middle East region, stressing that the organization’s effectiveness is linked to its ability to apply its principles consistently and fairly, free from double standards.

This statement was made by Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, in an interview with KUNA on the occasion of United Nations Day, observed annually on October 24. This year’s observance coincides with the 81st anniversary of the establishment of the UN.

In this context, the Kuwaiti envoy called for the importance of continuing the reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to ensure more equitable and effective representation and to enhance its capacity to respond to contemporary crises and challenges.

Ambassador Al-Banna stressed that strengthening the role of the UN requires maintaining a balance among its pillars of work in the fields of peace and security, development, and human rights, while giving due priority to the concerns of developing countries. He emphasized that the effectiveness of the UN is linked to its ability to apply its principles consistently and fairly, without double standards. He clarified that protecting civilians, respecting state sovereignty, and enforcing international law are responsibilities that demand clear positions and concrete measures, thereby enhancing public trust in the Organization.

He noted that this year’s UN anniversary comes amid dangerous developments in the Middle East region, which have cast a shadow over the security, stability, and prospects of the peoples of the region. In this regard, he pointed to the malicious Iranian attacks against Kuwait and sister states, which constituted violations of their sovereignty and territorial integrity and targeted their security and civilian infrastructure, in blatant contravention of international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

Kuwait reiterated its condemnation of these attacks and its rejection of any excuses offered to justify them, affirming that respecting state sovereignty, safeguarding security, and protecting the safety of peoples are international obligations that allow for no selectivity or compromise. He also stressed the importance of the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which calls on Iran to immediately and unconditionally cease all attacks and provocations against Gulf states and Jordan, and to fully comply with its international obligations. He affirmed the necessity for the Council to assume its responsibilities in ensuring compliance with its resolutions, halting attacks, and preventing their recurrence, thereby preserving peace and security in the region.

Expressing Kuwait’s commitment to continuing support for diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and resolving conflicts through peaceful means, he stated that this stems from the conviction that regional stability requires respect for the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and refraining from the use or threat of force. He called for translating these commitments into concrete practices that build trust and lay the foundation for relations based on mutual respect.

On the Palestinian issue, Ambassador Al-Banna affirmed that the Palestinian cause remains at the forefront of Kuwait’s concerns, based on its principled and steadfast position supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He stressed the necessity of ending the suffering of the Palestinian people, protecting civilians, rejecting forced displacement, and ensuring the safe, sustainable, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, while continuing to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to enable it to carry out its mandate.

The Ambassador reiterated Kuwait’s belief in the pivotal role of the United Nations as the comprehensive framework for addressing shared challenges, and its firm commitment to supporting the Organization’s efforts and empowering it to fulfill its responsibilities. He emphasized that Kuwait’s foreign policy since its accession to the UN in 1963 has been based on respecting state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, settling disputes through peaceful means, and building bridges of cooperation and dialogue between states and peoples. He expressed the country’s pride...

In light of Kuwait’s steadfast partnership with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and its contributions to supporting humanitarian and development efforts and aiding peoples affected by conflicts and disasters, he affirmed that Kuwait will continue to support initiatives aimed at alleviating suffering, enhancing resilience, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, thereby contributing to the building of safer and more stable societies. Ambassador Al-Bunai reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to continuing work with member states to promote multilateralism and uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing that fulfilling the Organization’s mission is a shared responsibility that demands genuine political will and collective action to translate principles into reality, safeguarding state sovereignty and preserving human dignity. United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24, commemorating the entry into force of its Charter in 1945. Kuwait joined the UN on May 14, 1963, becoming its 111th member state.