Kuwait marks ’versary of humanitarian title – UN lauds Kuwaiti role

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NEW YORK, Sept 8, (KUNA): With a lot of pride, Kuwaiti people will celebrate Monday the fifth anniversary of the UN honoring of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah as a “Humanitarian Leader” and of Kuwait as a “Humanitarian Center.”

The UN gesture came in recognition of Kuwait’s outstanding and unique contributions under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir. The well-deserved international honoring was a normal crowning of Kuwait’s long history of humanitarian, benevolent and altruistic activities in different countries of the world. On Sept 9, 2014, then-secretary general of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon held a special function at the UN headquarters in New York to express the UN and the international community’s appreciation for His Highness the Amir and Kuwait’s generosity and kindness.

The UN move came as Kuwait had shown exemplary humanitarian leadership in supporting global humanitarian and relief operations under the compassionate and passionate leadership of His Highness the Amir. Based on its highly appreciated values and principles, the State of Kuwait has adopted numerous humanitarian initiatives to offer aid to people in need a cross the globe. As a key player in this regard, the Kuwaiti people largely contribute to international humanitarian and relief efforts through charities and nongovernmental organizations.

They provide nonstop altruistic aid and help to many humanitarian projects and activities in various world countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, particularly during natural disasters.

The conferences and gatherings hosted by Kuwait at the behest of His Highness the Amir over the past years have contributed to making Kuwait a “Humanitarian Center.” Kuwait is still extending its growing charitable activities aiming at the alleviation of humanitarian sufferings and woes and participation in development projects worldwide. UN Secretary General Representative and Resident Coordinator to Kuwait Dr Tareq Al-Sheikh on Sunday hailed Kuwait’s continuous efforts to realize international peace and security as well as its role in promoting development and human rights.

Kuwait has gained prominence on arenas of humanitarian action in an unprecedented manner, said Dr El-Sheikh, speaking at a news conference marking the fifth anniversary of the UN designation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah “Leader of Humanitarian Action,” and the State of Kuwait, “Center of Humanitarian Action.” Kuwait’s contributions in the field have manifested in some of the eminent characteristics of the Kuwaiti foreign policy since becoming the 111th member of the UN on May 14, 1963, he said. Kuwait’s humanitarian and development march did not begin recently and the international honoring of His Highness the Amir came as a fruit of the humanitarian-development diplomacy spanning throughout a decade, he said.

Kuwait has affirmed its effectiveness through its presence at international quarters as member of many international organizations, such as the Universal Postal Union, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Devoting special attention to the UN, Kuwait inaugurated in 2009 the UN House, with participation of the former secretary general, Ban Ki-moon. It houses offices of all UN agencies operating in Kuwait, he said, noting its presence depicted the deep-rooted UN-Kuwait relations. Kuwait has increased contributions to international humanitarian and development activity by more than 3.1 percent of its gross domestic product, exceeding the internationally set level of 7.0 percent.

It also allocated 10 percent of its voluntary contributions to back up the UN and its agencies. Moreover, Kuwait has established the fund of dignified life at $100 million to overhaul agriculture in developing countries and donated $150 million for a fund that was established during the 2007 OPEC summit for research in energy, environment and climatic change.

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