Prince's Representative: Kuwait is the Voice of Wisdom and the Champion of Justice
The representative of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, emphasized that Kuwait’s message, which it has believed in both in word and deed and will continue to uphold, is that “a just peace is the path to stability, and that respect for state sovereignty, the protection of the rights of peoples, and recourse to international law in resolving disputes are indispensable pillars for the security and stability of states.”
His Highness addressed a message to the world ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the headquarters of the international organization in New York City, affirming that Kuwait will remain—as the world has come to know it—a voice of wisdom and moderation, a champion of justice, and a partner in consolidating international peace and security, believing that peace is the path to a future in which rights are protected, homelands are stable, and generations enjoy security and prosperity.
He stated that Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have been subjected since last February to a heinous Iranian aggression involving ballistic missiles, loitering munitions, and drones, despite not being parties to the ongoing conflict in the region, in a clear violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter.
He affirmed that the Iranian attacks targeted the essentials of life and critical infrastructure, resulting in martyrs, injuries, and severe material damage. He noted that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, using it as a pressure card in the war, in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions. He expressed Kuwait’s deep appreciation for the sister and friendly countries that stood with us and showed solidarity against the brazen Iranian aggression, reaffirming that the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region are a fundamental pillar of regional and international security and stability.
Regarding relations with Iraq, His Highness clarified that Kuwait stands with Iraq in its struggle to restore its regional and international role and standing, believing that a stable, secure, and prosperous Iraq is a shared interest for Kuwait and the entire region. He also commended Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s steps to consolidate the monopoly of the state over weapons.
His Highness added that Kuwait looks forward to resolving the outstanding issues with Baghdad, foremost among them the completion of the maritime border demarcation and the Khawr Abdullah Agreement. He called on Iraq to cooperate in achieving progress on the files of Kuwaiti prisoners of war and missing persons, Kuwaiti properties, and the national archive.
Concerning the situation in Yemen, His Highness condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, stressing that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the Gulf. He noted that any political settlement must safeguard Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
While delivering Kuwait’s address to the UN General Assembly, His Highness said: “I am pleased, first of all, to convey the greetings of His Highness the Amir and his wishes for the success of the work of this session. We congratulate Dr. Khalil Al-Rahman and the friendly People’s Republic of Bangladesh on his election as President of the General Assembly, affirming our support for him and his wise choice of the theme for this session: ‘Restoring Trust and Managing Transformation… and a United Nations that serves the interests of all.’”
He expressed his gratitude to Annalena Baerbock for the commendable efforts she exerted during her presidency of the previous session. He commended the efforts of the Secretary-General and his initiatives and endeavors to strengthen multilateral international cooperation, such as the UN80 initiative and the Pact for the Future, as well as the ongoing efforts to address global challenges and crises, including conflicts and wars, climate change, and terrorism, and to assist member states in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing international cooperation on artificial intelligence.
His Highness added: “We hope that efforts will continue after the Secretary-General’s term ends at the close of this year, ensuring the continuity of work to reform and develop the organization’s structures, activate its role, and enhance its performance in fulfilling its responsibilities.”
He emphasized that reforming the Security Council—the body tasked with maintaining international peace and security—has become a necessity 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.
Regarding Iranian aggressions, His Highness clarified that Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have been subjected since last February to heinous Iranian aggression using ballistic missiles, loitering munitions, and drones, despite not being parties to the ongoing conflict in the region. This constitutes a clear violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Charter.
He noted that these brazen attacks have systematically and repeatedly targeted civilian sites and vital facilities, including Kuwait International Airport, electricity and water stations, and oil installations, revealing an adversarial approach aimed at disrupting the essentials of life and critical infrastructure. These heinous attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of several individuals and innocent civilians, caused numerous injuries, and inflicted severe material and economic damage.
His Highness pointed out that, in a further attempt to harm the economies of the region and the world and to impact global trade and oil markets, Iran is obstructing maritime navigation and closing the Strait of Hormuz, using it as a pressure card in the war, in violation of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.
He expressed Kuwait’s profound appreciation to the sister and friendly countries that have stood by and shown solidarity with it, 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, affirmed the natural right of states to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation without condition.
He continued, stating that, driven by the belief that the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region are a fundamental pillar of regional and international security and stability—a reality highlighted by the repercussions of the war and Iranian aggressions—Kuwait renews its support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and reaching a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. He commended the efforts and mediation led by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and affirmed 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, the renunciation of the use of force or threat thereof, the cessation of support for proxies and militias, and addressing the security concerns of all regional states, including the Iranian nuclear file, ballistic missiles, and drones. He also stressed the importance of ensuring the freedom and safety of navigation and the right of passage through the two straits in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982.
Regarding relations with Iraq, His Highness emphasized that Kuwait’s foreign policy is guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly the principles of good neighborliness, respect for state sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs. He stated: “From this perspective, Kuwait views the fraternal Republic of Iraq as a close neighbor with whom it shares strong ties, and as a partner in security and stability. Since the fall of the former regime in 2003, Kuwait has been committed to supporting Iraq and standing by its side in facing security, political, and economic challenges, aiming to restore its regional and international role and standing. This is based on the conviction that a stable, secure, and prosperous Iraq serves the common interest of Kuwait and the entire region.”
He commended the steps taken by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to consolidate state monopoly over weapons and strengthen Iraq’s bilateral relations with neighboring countries. He added: “We look forward to enhancing confidence-building measures between the two countries, taking bilateral relations to broader and wider horizons, and resolving all outstanding issues between them. Foremost among these is the completion of the demarcation of the maritime boundary beyond Marker 162, in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We also call for adherence to the bilateral security and technical agreements signed between the two countries, most notably the Agreement on the Regulation of Maritime Navigation in Khawr Abdullah and the 2008 Security Exchange Protocol, given their role as legal and practical instruments for regulating navigation, protecting the environment, combating terrorism and illicit trafficking in weapons and drugs, and enhancing shared security.”
His Highness called on Iraq to cooperate with the High-Level Representative of the Secretary-General in implementing Security Council Resolution 2792 to achieve progress and the desired results in uncovering the fate of Kuwaiti prisoners of war and missing persons, nationals of third countries, and Kuwaiti property, including the National Archive.
On the issue of Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, His Highness reaffirmed Kuwait’s principled and steadfast position condemning the ongoing violations by Israeli occupation forces against the fraternal Palestinian people, who continue to suffer under difficult living conditions due to policies of displacement, arrests, and settlement expansion. He called for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Plan and its subsequent phases, as adopted by the Security Council in Resolution 2803, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and the return of the Palestinian Authority to the Strip, while affirming that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories.
In this regard, His Highness welcomed the measures and decisions taken by the United Kingdom, France, and a number of other countries to condemn settlement activities, impose sanctions on settlers involved in acts of violence and terrorism against Palestinians, and ban the import of goods and products from the settlements.
He affirmed that achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region remains contingent upon ending the Israeli occupation of all Arab territories, enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate and inalienable rights, and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Regarding the military escalation in Yemen, His Highness noted that the Republic of Yemen is witnessing a dangerous military escalation resulting from attacks launched by the Houthi group across several governorates and in areas of the western coast, aiming to threaten navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In this regard, the State of Kuwait reaffirms its full support for the efforts led by the United Nations to reach a comprehensive and sustainable settlement led by the Yemenis, in accordance with the three agreed-upon references and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216.
He emphasized that any political settlement must safeguard Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, put an end to the suffering of its brotherly people, and open prospects for security, stability, and economic development. He stressed the importance of safeguarding the security and safety of international maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
He condemned in the strongest terms the attacks by the Houthi group on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which targeted civilian and economic facilities in several cities, affirming that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of Kuwait’s security and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
Concerning the situation in Syria, His Highness reaffirmed Kuwait’s stance in support of the Syrian Arab Republic, welcoming the steps and measures taken by the international community to lift sanctions against it and remove its name from the list of states sponsoring terrorism.
His Highness declared Kuwait’s support for all efforts aimed at rebuilding state institutions and advancing a comprehensive and inclusive political process led by Syria, with the active participation of all components of the Syrian people, in a manner that meets their legitimate aspirations for security, stability, and a dignified life.
In the same context, His Highness stressed the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and the unity and territorial integrity of its land, and condemned and rejected the attacks and incursions by Israeli occupation forces into Syrian territory, noting that this constitutes a dangerous escalation and a violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, and undermines security and stability in the region.
With regard to the Republic of Lebanon, His Highness affirmed the importance of Lebanon’s state institutions and the necessity of enabling them to exercise their full authority over all its territory and to confine weapons to the state alone, thereby reinforcing Lebanon’s sovereignty and preserving its security and stability.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining an independent international presence along the Blue Line to ensure the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and reiterated Kuwait’s demand for Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories.
Regarding the developments in the Republic of Sudan, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the State of Libya, His Highness pointed to the necessity of adhering to peaceful solutions and engaging in political dialogues to resolve differences in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the rules of international law, ensuring the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of these brotherly states.
Concerning Kuwait’s foreign policy, His Highness explained that since its independence, Kuwait has established its foreign policy on solid principles of moderation, balance, a firm commitment to the United Nations Charter and international law, support for international multilateral cooperation, and the belief that dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes are the optimal means of safeguarding international peace and security. He added that Kuwait also believes in the complementary relationship between security and development: there is no security without development, and no development without security.
He added: Guided by this vision, Kuwait has embodied its developmental and humanitarian diplomacy through the pioneering role of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. Since 1961, the Fund has contributed to financing development projects in 107 countries around the world, reflecting the conviction that addressing the root causes of crises extends beyond security approaches and requires supporting development programs, providing the prerequisites for a dignified life, and building communities with greater resilience and stability.
In closing his address, His Highness stated: “My country has known the harshness of occupation and the bitterness of aggression, and has suffered through the wars that have shaken and continue to shake our region for four decades. From this experience, we have come to understand that it is peoples who bear the cost of conflicts, and we recognize the importance of the world standing united in defense of justice and adherence to the principles of the Charter and international law.”
He elaborated: “From the crucible of that experience, we have firmly established the conviction that peace is a stance dictated by wisdom and safeguarded by capability; that dialogue does not diminish rights but preserves them; and that security is not guarded by force alone, but is consolidated by justice, upheld by the rule of law, and protected by the principles of international legitimacy.”
He emphasized that Kuwait’s message, which it has upheld in word and deed and will continue to adhere to, is that “just peace is the path to stability, and that respect for state sovereignty, protection of the rights of peoples, and recourse to international law in resolving disputes are indispensable pillars for the security and stability of states.”
His Highness said: “Kuwait will remain, as the world has come to know it, a voice of wisdom and moderation… supporting dialogue, cooperation, and openness to partnerships that serve shared interests and mutual benefits… a champion of justice… and a partner in consolidating international peace and security, believing that peace is the path to a future in which rights are protected, homelands are stable, and generations enjoy security and prosperity.”
Based on the outcomes of the meeting between His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, the Crown Prince, and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and driven by the two fraternal countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and addressing outstanding issues in a spirit of brotherhood, good neighborliness, and shared interests, the two sides agreed to establish a joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi working group. This group will be tasked with reviewing the outstanding issues, developing a roadmap for their resolution, and submitting its joint recommendations to the leaderships of both countries within a period not exceeding 30 days.
The two sides also agreed that the working group would hold its meetings alternately in Kuwait and Baghdad, on a continuous basis, until the completion of its mandate.
Both sides affirmed their full support for the working group’s work and their commitment to ensuring the successful completion of its mission, which will contribute to resolving the outstanding issues and opening a new phase of cooperation and partnership between the two fraternal countries, serving the interests of the Kuwaiti and Iraqi peoples.
