Kuwait: Enhancing international cooperation strengthens the fight against illicit trade in conventional arms

Kuwait affirmed, on the evening of the day before yesterday, the importance of strengthening international cooperation to combat the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion, while respecting the principles of the United Nations Charter and the sovereign right of states to meet their legitimate defense needs. This was stated in Kuwait’s address delivered by Diplomatic Attaché Jirah Al-Anzi before the First Committee of the UN General Assembly on Disarmament and International Security during discussions on conventional arms.

Al-Anzi emphasized the importance of the balanced and non-selective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, ensuring that exporting and importing states fulfill their responsibilities without imposing unjustified restrictions on the legitimate rights of states. He warned that illicit flows of arms and ammunition, and their reach to terrorist organizations and armed groups outside state control, prolong conflicts, undermine state institutions, and hinder peacebuilding and development efforts.

Kuwait reaffirmed its full and effective support for the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. He also stressed the importance of strengthening national capacities in areas such as arms marking, tracing, stockpile security, information exchange, and monitoring of transfers to prevent leakage into illicit markets or access by unauthorized entities.

Al-Anzi noted Kuwait’s interest in the Global Framework for Conventional Ammunition throughout its lifecycle, as a crucial step to address risks arising from poor ammunition management, diversion, and accidental explosions. He expressed Kuwait’s pride at its election as Vice-Chair of the Preparatory Meeting and recommended nominating it for one of the Vice-Chair positions at the next session scheduled for 2027, enabling it to contribute to enhancing international cooperation and building national capacities.

On regional matters, Al-Anzi stated that serious developments in our region confirm that the risks of proliferation of conventional arms are no longer confined to internal conflicts but have extended to threatening the security and stability of states. He pointed out that Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Jordan—including attacks carried out by Iran-aligned militias in Iraq—demonstrated the danger of using missiles and drones to target civilians, civilian facilities, and critical infrastructure.

In this regard, Kuwait reiterated its condemnation of these attacks, emphasizing the necessity of full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), halting direct and indirect attacks, and countering the supply of arms and military capabilities to armed groups that enable them to threaten the sovereignty and security of states. Al-Anzi stressed the need to respect international humanitarian law in all conflicts, including in the occupied Palestinian territories, and to ensure that conventional arms are not used to commit serious violations against civilians.

He affirmed Kuwait’s continued support for international efforts to prevent arms from reaching unauthorized entities, limit their use against civilians, and enhance states’ capacity to protect their security and sovereignty, thereby contributing to consolidating international peace and security.