Kuwait to enhance the role of UN political missions in conflict prevention and peacebuilding - Sarmad

Kuwait reaffirmed its firm support for the pivotal role played by United Nations Special Political Missions, considering them one of the key tools for preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

This was stated in Kuwait’s statement delivered by Diplomatic Attaché Mohammed Al-Mulla before the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly during the discussion of Agenda Item 52, titled “Comprehensive Review of the Special Political Missions.”

Al-Mulla said that the success of these missions is not measured merely by their continued existence, but by their ability to create conducive conditions for dialogue, address the root causes of conflicts, and achieve peaceful and sustainable political solutions.

He welcomed the efforts to review the future of UN peace operations, in implementation of the “Charter for the Future,” and regarded the Secretary-General’s report issued in August 2026 on this matter as an “important opportunity” to develop the Organization’s tools and enhance its capacity to respond to evolving challenges.

He stressed the importance of basing the mandates of Special Political Missions on clear, realistic, and achievable objectives, and of granting them the necessary flexibility to adapt to field developments, while respecting the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of States, and strengthening the principle of national ownership of political processes, ensuring that international efforts support national solutions rather than replace them.

He called for providing adequate political support and financial and human resources to these missions, enhancing coordination with regional and sub-regional organizations, developing performance evaluation mechanisms, learning from lessons drawn, and ensuring the effective participation of women and youth in mediation and peacebuilding efforts.

Regarding the Middle East region, Al-Mulla emphasized the importance of the role played by the UN through its envoys and political offices, foremost among them the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, in supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue.

He cautioned that the success of these efforts remains contingent upon the existence of a genuine political horizon that ends the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and guarantees the Palestinian people the exercise of their inalienable rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent, sovereign State on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international legal resolutions.

Al-Mulla warned that the continuation of the Israeli occupation and its practices contrary to international law, including settlement activities and measures aimed at undermining the prospects of a two-State solution, constitute a major obstacle to the success of political efforts, and require serious international commitment to address the root causes of the conflict and implement relevant UN resolutions.

In conclusion of the country’s statement, Al-Mulla reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of Special Political Missions, based on its firm belief in the priority of peaceful conflict resolution, the importance of multilateral action, and the central role of the UN in safeguarding international peace and security.

He affirmed that investing in preventive diplomacy and mediation represents an investment in preventing crises and building sustainable peace.