Kuwait Presents UN Draft Resolution with Historic Sponsorship of 111 Countries on IAEA Report

Kuwait submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, which received an unprecedented historic sponsorship from 111 countries, marking a diplomatic achievement that reflects broad international support for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role in promoting international peace and security and harnessing nuclear science and technology for development.

The draft resolution, titled “Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” was presented by Kuwait in its capacity as Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2026–2027 term.

On this occasion, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, stated in his address to the General Assembly that the draft resolution is based on the Agency’s Statute and the 1957 Agreement between the United Nations and the IAEA, within the framework of institutional cooperation between the two organizations.

Ambassador Al-Banna explained that reviewing the Agency’s annual report provides an opportunity to reaffirm the General Assembly’s support for the IAEA’s contributions to safeguarding international peace and security, as well as its efforts to harness nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes and in the interest of development.

He added that the text builds upon last year’s General Assembly resolution, incorporating updates that reflect decisions and resolutions adopted during the 70th regular session of the IAEA General Conference, as well as statements made by the Conference President regarding five agenda items.

Ambassador Al-Banna emphasized that the draft resolution reaffirms strong support for the IAEA’s indispensable role in encouraging and facilitating the development of nuclear energy and its practical applications for peaceful purposes, technology transfer to developing countries, and its work in nuclear safety, security, and safeguards.

He noted that the draft calls on member states to continue supporting the Agency’s activities, enabling it to fulfill its responsibilities and respond to the needs of member states within its mandate. He stressed that the importance of this support is growing amid current challenges, which underscore the need to preserve the Agency’s technical role, independence, professionalism, and neutrality, while enhancing international cooperation to ensure the benefits of peaceful nuclear applications and to strengthen confidence in the safeguards and verification system.

He clarified that the draft resolution resulted from comprehensive and constructive consultations in Vienna, with its referral to the General Assembly at their conclusion receiving consensus support. He expressed Kuwait’s appreciation to all delegations that contributed to these consultations in a spirit of cooperation, and to all countries that co-sponsored the draft.

In this context, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi commended Kuwait’s efforts, extending his special thanks and appreciation to Kuwait’s Permanent Representatives and to the teams of its missions in New York and Vienna.

Grossi expressed pride that the number of co-sponsoring countries for the draft resolution had reached 111, describing it as a “historic record number,” and affirming that this support embodies the growing importance of the IAEA’s work for all countries.