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

New York, October 20 (KUNA) -- Kuwait reaffirmed today its firm commitment to respecting the inviolability of diplomatic and consular missions, safeguarding their security, and ensuring the safety of their representatives, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, particularly the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. This was stated in Kuwait’s address delivered by Second Secretary of its Permanent Mission to the UN, Jasem Al-Amiri, 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 representatives.”

Al-Amiri emphasized that international rules concerning the protection of missions ensure their independent and secure functioning, 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 respect for the inviolability of the person of a diplomatic agent and his protection, while Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations ensures the inviolability and protection of consular premises.

He stressed that obligations regarding respect for and protection of mission premises remain in force even in cases of severance of diplomatic or consular relations or armed conflicts, noting 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 guarantees of non-repetition.

In a related context, Al-Amiri renewed Kuwait’s strongest condemnation of the blatant Iranian attack targeting the US Embassy premises 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 ensuring the continuity of diplomatic relations among states. He also expressed Kuwait’s condemnation of Iranian attacks targeting or endangering diplomatic and consular premises in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, affirming Kuwait’s full solidarity with sister states and its rejection of any acts targeting missions or turning them into arenas for confrontation or military score-settling.

Al-Amiri called on Iran to fully and immediately comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), to halt its attacks and threats against countries in the region, including through its proxies, and to stop supporting armed groups that threaten the security and stability of these states, in respect of their sovereignty, the principles of non-interference in their internal affairs, and good-neighborly relations. He affirmed that the protection of diplomatic missions is inseparable from the commitment to the prohibition of the threat or use of force as stipulated in paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the UN Charter. He stressed that Kuwait retains its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter and in conformity with international law, including the requirements of necessity and proportionality.

Ambassador Al-Amiri concluded his speech on behalf of the State of Kuwait by emphasizing that safeguarding the inviolability of diplomatic missions and their representatives constitutes a legal obligation and a necessity for the continuation of dialogue among states, particularly during times of crisis. He reiterated the call for the good-faith implementation of international commitments, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, thereby preserving international peace and security and strengthening the rule of law in international relations. (End) A.S.T./R.J.