Ghada Al-Tahir: Kuwait an Active Partner in Key Multilateral Institutions

United Nations Resident Coordinator Ghada Taher affirmed that Kuwait’s re-election to the membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2027–2029 represents a renewed responsibility and an important opportunity to continue its contribution to the multilateral action system. She noted that Kuwait’s receipt of 173 votes reflects the significance of its role in international institutions.

In an interview with KUNA on Saturday, Taher stated that the importance of Kuwait’s re-election goes beyond the electoral result itself, particularly as it coincides with the approaching 81st anniversary of the founding of the United Nations on October 24, and the 63rd anniversary of Kuwait’s accession to the international organization on May 14, 1963.

She added that “the relationship between Kuwait and the United Nations has evolved over more than six decades, during which Kuwait transitioned from a newly admitted member of the organization to an active partner in several of the most important multilateral institutions.” She clarified that “Kuwait previously served on the Human Rights Council during the terms 2011–2014 and 2024–2026, and the UN General Assembly has renewed its confidence in Kuwait for a new term extending from 2027 to 2029.”

Regarding the UN’s assessment of Kuwait’s efforts to promote and protect human rights, Taher said that “human rights represent a continuous journey for all countries, not a destination reached by a state after which work ceases.” She emphasized “the importance of viewing Kuwait’s experience through the lens of achievements attained, areas still requiring progress, and the opportunities available to build on existing reforms.”

She added that “the recent period has witnessed important legislative and institutional steps in Kuwait, particularly in the fields of protecting women and the family, enhancing children’s rights, raising the minimum age of marriage to 18, and repealing certain legal provisions that had been subject to human rights recommendations.”

She noted that Kuwait is engaged in international human rights mechanisms, foremost among them the Universal Periodic Review and human rights treaty bodies, explaining that the value of these mechanisms is not limited to preparing reports and making recommendations, but is realized when recommendations are translated into policies, legislation, and practices that have a tangible impact on people’s lives.

Regarding the key priorities the UN hopes Kuwait will focus on during its new membership in the Human Rights Council, Taher said that “there is a clear framework for the obligations of member states under international human rights law, encompassing the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review, recommendations from human rights treaty bodies, and special procedures of the Human Rights Council.”

She added that the aspiration is to build on existing momentum and more closely link international commitments to national implementation, thereby making the next three years a period in which progress can be measured more clearly.

On the role Kuwait can play in enhancing international dialogue and consensus on human rights issues, Taher said that the Human Rights Council, like many institutions of the multilateral system, operates in an international environment characterized by strong polarization.

She added that Kuwait’s experience in mediation, preventive diplomacy, and humanitarian work provides it with important tools for building bridges and bridging differences, noting that this approach aligns with other international responsibilities undertaken by the country.