Kuwait: Converting UN Conference and Summit Outcomes into Tangible Improvements in People's Lives

Kuwait has affirmed the pivotal role played by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in coordinating economic, social, and environmental efforts, calling for enhanced coordination between the Council, the UN General Assembly, and the High-Level Political Forum.

This was stated in Kuwait’s address, delivered by Diplomatic Attaché Dalal Sharar to the UN General Assembly during the joint discussion on the ECOSOC report and the follow-up item on the implementation of outcomes of UN conferences and summits in economic and social fields.

Sharar said that Kuwait believes the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, remains the most capable framework for addressing transboundary challenges, emphasizing the importance of translating the outcomes of UN conferences and summits into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

She added that, on the 80th anniversary of the Council’s establishment, Kuwait calls for the development of follow-up mechanisms and the improvement of the quality of national data, while respecting the mandates of UN bodies and the priorities of countries. She stressed that reform efforts, including the “United Nations 80” initiative, must contribute to reducing duplication and enhancing support to developing countries.

She underscored the importance of providing adequate financing and capacity to implement development commitments amid rising financing costs and debt burdens, calling for support for the implementation of the Santiago commitments and expanding access to concessional financing for developing countries, alongside mobilizing national resources, technology transfer, and capacity building to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Regarding Kuwait’s development efforts, Sharar said that the country places human beings at the core of its development policies and continues, through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, to support vital projects in developing countries, particularly in the fields of water, sanitation, energy, health, and education, contributing to national capacity building and the sustainability of development outcomes. She reaffirmed Kuwait’s continued commitment to supporting UN relief and humanitarian efforts, linking relief programs with recovery and development plans to enable crisis-affected communities to restore their services and livelihoods.