Al-Tahir: Kuwait is a Piece of My Heart... Its Approach is Balanced

Al-Nahar Editor-in-Chief Emad Jawad Bu-Khamsin received Ghada Taher, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Representative and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, in a meeting that discussed the close ties between Kuwait and the UN, the role of media in conveying humanitarian messages and highlighting the activities of the international organization and its specialized agencies, as well as the repercussions of regional and international conflicts on global security, stability, and energy and food supplies.

During the meeting, Taher emphasized the importance of the media’s role in conveying the UN’s message and raising awareness of its humanitarian and developmental issues. She praised Al-Nahar’s contribution in this regard and the ongoing cooperation with Editor-in-Chief Emad Bu-Khamsin, noting that the relationship between them and the UN is based on partnership and collaboration in serving common causes.

She expressed her pride in her relationship with Kuwait, stating, “Kuwait is a piece of my heart,” and noted that three years have passed since she assumed her role as the UN Resident Coordinator in the country. She highlighted the continuous Kuwaiti support for the UN and its affiliated organizations, as well as the commitment to backing humanitarian and relief efforts.

Taher commended Kuwait’s hosting of three conferences related to humanitarian support for Syria, affirming that the country’s positions and humanitarian initiatives reflect its commitment to supporting affected populations and strengthening multilateral action. She also praised Kuwait’s contributions to supporting the activities of the UN and its various agencies.

She referred to the recent meeting between His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month. She underscored the significance of the meeting given the approaching end of Guterres’s term on December 31, and anticipated that a woman from Costa Rica would assume the position, citing the presence of two female candidates among those competing for the Secretary-General role.

Taher affirmed the strong relationship between Guterres and Kuwait, pointing to his recent visit to the country and his keenness to enhance cooperation with it, as well as his appreciation for Kuwait’s role in supporting the UN and humanitarian causes internationally.

Speaking about global developments, she highlighted the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war and its impact on grain supplies and funding directed to needy countries, as well as the effects of the ongoing regional conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on energy supplies and global market movements, exacerbating economic and humanitarian challenges faced by many nations.

Taher expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Al-Nahar for its continuous coverage of the UN Office in Kuwait and its affiliated organizations. She announced the arrival of Mari Yamashita, the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Representative on Kuwaiti and Third Country Missing Persons and the recovery of Kuwaiti property from Iraq, who came from Iraq to discuss updates on this humanitarian and national file. She also noted the meeting between the official in charge of the file and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month, emphasizing the importance of continuing efforts to follow up on the issue of Kuwaiti missing persons.

Special Relations

Taher stated that Kuwait is distinguished by a unique nature in its relations with diplomats and representatives of international organizations, as these relationships transcend formal and professional frameworks to reach a deep human level. She said, “There are countries viewed merely as work stations where officials strive to maintain professional distance, while there are other countries, like Kuwait, where one leaves carrying them in their heart, due to the human relationships that form there, surpassing traditional state-to-state relations.”

She praised Kuwait’s diplomatic character, affirming that it maintains the principle of neutrality in international relations, even amid conflicts and disputes between countries, reflecting an approach based on balance and preserving communication channels.

On economic matters, she pointed out that challenges related to oil supply shortages have raised fears of a harsh winter, given the repercussions of supply disruptions and their potential impact on energy markets. She also described the meeting between His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani as excellent, praising its importance in enhancing communication between the two countries and its implications for the significance of dialogue and coordination in addressing shared issues.

She noted the deep attachment of state representatives, diplomatic mission heads, and international organization staff working in Kuwait to the country, explaining that Kuwait is not just a work station for them but has become a home for social life and close human bonds, reflecting its special status among those residing on its soil.

Support and Consolidation

For his part, Emad Jawad Bu-Khamsin welcomed the UN Resident Coordinator, emphasizing the importance of the relations between Kuwait and the international organization and the necessity of enhancing joint cooperation to serve humanitarian and developmental causes and support efforts to consolidate international security and stability.

The meeting also addressed the repercussions of ongoing wars and conflicts on international relations. In this context, Bu-Khamsin reiterated his condemnation and rejection of Iranian aggression against Kuwait and Arab Gulf countries, affirming the necessity of respecting state sovereignty and adhering to the principles of international law.

Bu-Khamsin expressed his readiness to enhance cooperation frameworks between Al-Nahar and the UN, driven by his belief in the importance of the international organization’s role in addressing crises and supporting just causes. He stressed that the media is a fundamental partner in conveying facts and highlighting humanitarian initiatives and international efforts aimed at achieving peace and development.

He affirmed that the love and appreciation Kuwait enjoys among the world’s peoples are the fruit of its humanitarian approach, the aid and support it provides to needy countries and populations, as well as its steadfast positions in supporting just causes and its commitment to applying international law and respecting international legitimacy.