NEW YORK, Nov 12: The State of Kuwait affirmed that international cooperation is a fundamental prerequisite for enabling the International Criminal Court (ICC) to effectively carry out its mandate, particularly in areas of information exchange and the provision of technical and logistical support, reflecting the growing support of the international community for the Court.

This came in a statement delivered by Jana Al-Dhafeeri, Diplomatic Attaché at Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on Tuesday evening during the UN General Assembly’s discussion of the ICC’s annual report.

Al-Dhafeeri emphasized that the ICC stands as one of the most prominent legal milestones in the history of contemporary international justice and a key instrument in combating impunity through its mandate under the Rome Statute. She underscored the importance of the Court’s continued work with full independence, adhering to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and judicial governance while upholding national sovereignty — “the cornerstone of international court systems,” she said.

Reaffirming Kuwait’s steadfast support, Al-Dhafeeri noted that her country continues to back the Court’s efforts to promote international justice, combat impunity, and hold perpetrators of the most serious international crimes accountable, in accordance with the Agreement on Relations between the United Nations and the ICC.

At the national level, she highlighted Kuwait’s issuance of a series of laws this year, reinforcing its commitment to international humanitarian law, the latest being the Law on Combating International Crimes. She described this as “a qualitative step in strengthening Kuwait’s adherence to the principles and purposes of international humanitarian law.”

The law, Al-Dhafeeri explained, seeks to align national legislation with international obligations by criminalizing war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and the crime of aggression. It also establishes mechanisms for international judicial cooperation, enabling national authorities to effectively prosecute perpetrators in line with national legislation.

Al-Dhafeeri expressed Kuwait’s appreciation for the work of the Trust Fund for Victims, which she said embodies restorative justice by restoring dignity to victims and placing them at the forefront of the justice process. She further noted that the Fund’s humanitarian programs contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by empowering affected communities and promoting social peace.

On behalf of Kuwait, Al-Dhafeeri encouraged the ICC to enhance multilingualism and broaden its working languages to include all six official UN languages, thereby strengthening the rights of the defense, improving victim participation, and reinforcing the Court’s international and inclusive character.

She urged all states to reaffirm their collective commitment to international justice and to address legitimate concerns through constructive dialogue in international forums, preserving the ICC’s standing as one of the most significant legal achievements of the modern international order.

Al-Dhafeeri concluded Kuwait’s statement by expressing the country’s aspiration for a future of security, peace, and sustainable development within a more just and equitable world.