KUWAIT CHAIRS FIRST IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE

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World must unite to confront COVID

NEW YORK, Sept 20, (Agencies): The UN General Assembly takes place amidst “exceptional health circumstances,” and the world should join hands and coordinate with UN to confront coronavirus, Representative of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah has said. His Highness the Prime Minister made the remarks during a meeting, Sunday night, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) 76th session. He conveyed regards of His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabahy, and reaffirmed Kuwait’s support of the UN to continue its “important and vital” role. He also reiterated Kuwait’s support to Guterres in reforming the UN. Guterres meanwhile praised Kuwait’s support of the UN strategic plans and programs, as well as promotion of humanitarian work during crises.

Peace
He thanked Kuwait for contributing to resolution of conflicts as well as achieving peace and stability in the region. The two senior officials discussed regional and international affairs, in addition to the UN role in boosting international peace and security, and sustainable development. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN Mansour Al-Otaibi and his Deputy Bader Al-Munayyekh. The Secretary-General of the UN met with HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait.

The Secretary-General thanked Kuwait for its global humanitarian efforts and its role as a steadfast partner for the international community in promoting dialogue and collective peace and security, in particular its work to improve relations in the Gulf. The Secretary- General and the Prime Minister also discussed regional issues, including Yemen and Libya. Kuwait chaired on Monday the 65th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference for the first time since Kuwait joined the agency over five decades ago. This came after the unanimous election of Kuwait by the 173 member states of IAEA, with the participation of 51 ministers and high-level officials from different countries worldwide.

Opportunity
In a speech before the conference, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Austria and its Permanent Representative at International Organizations Sadiq Marafi thanked all member states of IAEA for granting Kuwait the opportunity to lead the session. He commended the member states of the Middle East and South Asia Group for their support of Kuwait’s adoption of this nomination. He thanked Ambassador of Morocco to Austria Azzedine Farhane, for his distinguished leadership of the last session, and thanked Director General of IAEA Rafael Grossi, along with the staff.

Marafi commended the efforts made by the agency to work during the pandemic, as well as the efforts it made to support member states to face the repercussions of COVID-19. Kuwait believes in the importance of supporting science and technology, in addition to the pivotal role IAEA plays in its contribution to security and international peace, he underlined. He underscored the keenness of Kuwait to support the agency’s activities, programs and initiatives, calling on member states to provide all the resources that the agency needs to be able to carry out its tasks.

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