Kuwait Submits UN Draft Resolution with Record Sponsorship of 111 States on IAEA Report
Kuwait submits a UN draft resolution with a record sponsorship of 111 countries to support the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
Al-Banna: The draft resolution reaffirms support for the Agency’s role in promoting peace, security, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
Kuwait submitted a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly on Friday, which has received unprecedented historical sponsorship by 111 countries, marking a diplomatic achievement that reflects broad international support for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role in enhancing international peace and security and harnessing nuclear science and technology for development.
The draft resolution, titled “Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” was submitted by Kuwait in its capacity as Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors for the period 2026–2027.
On this occasion, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, stated in his address to the General Assembly that the draft resolution is based on the Agency’s Statute and the 1957 Agreement between the United Nations and the IAEA, within the framework of institutional cooperation between the two organizations.
Ambassador Al-Banna explained that reviewing the Agency’s annual report provides an opportunity to reaffirm the General Assembly’s support for its contributions to safeguarding international peace and security, and for harnessing nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes and in the interest of development.
He added that the text under consideration is based on last year’s General Assembly resolution, with updates reflecting decisions and resolutions adopted during the 70th regular session of the IAEA General Conference, as well as statements made by the Conference President regarding five agenda items.
In this context, he noted that one member state had raised the same reservation regarding the Agency’s 2025 annual report, which had previously been circulated regarding the 2022 annual report, while some member states pointed out that three resolutions referenced in footnote 2 of the draft resolution were adopted by vote.
He clarified that the President of the 70th regular session of the General Conference expressed understanding that the Agency would continue to implement decisions related to the five agenda items in the form adopted in previous General Conference sessions, and that the Director General would continue to report on them until new relevant decisions are adopted.
Ambassador Al-Banna emphasized that the draft resolution reaffirms strong support for the Agency’s indispensable role in encouraging and facilitating the development of nuclear energy and its practical applications for peaceful purposes, and in transferring technology to developing countries, as well as its role in nuclear safety, security, and safeguards.
He added that the draft resolution calls on member states to continue supporting the Agency’s activities, enabling it to fulfill its responsibilities and respond to the needs of member states within its mandate.
He stressed that the importance of this support is growing in light of current challenges, which underscore the need to preserve the Agency’s technical role, independence, professionalism, and neutrality, and to enhance international cooperation to ensure the benefits of peaceful nuclear applications and to strengthen confidence in the safeguards and verification system.
He explained that the draft resolution is the result of comprehensive and constructive consultations in Vienna, which concluded with consensus support for its referral to the General Assembly, expressing Kuwait’s appreciation to all delegations that contributed to these consultations in a spirit of cooperation, and to all countries that participated in sponsoring the draft resolution.
Ambassador Al-Banna called on other member states to join the sponsorship of the draft resolution before its adoption, expressing hope that the General Assembly would adopt it without a vote, as a testament to shared support for the Agency and the importance of its work in promoting peace, security, and development.
In this context, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), praised the efforts of the State of Kuwait, extending his special thanks and appreciation to its permanent representatives and to its missions in New York and Vienna.
Grossi expressed his pride that the number of co-sponsors of the draft resolution had reached 111 countries, describing this as a “historic record number” and affirming that this support reflects the growing importance of the Agency’s work for all countries.
