KUWAIT CITY, Nov 21: Kuwait underscored the urgent need for the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding Israel’s nuclear capabilities, stressing that all of Israel’s nuclear facilities must be subjected to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) comprehensive safeguards system.

The statement was delivered by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Talal Al-Fassam, before the IAEA Board of Governors under the agenda item “Other Business” addressing Israel’s nuclear program.

Ambassador Al-Fassam expressed Kuwait’s support for the positions presented by the Arab Group and reaffirmed the critical role of the IAEA in implementing the comprehensive safeguards system and verifying the peaceful nature of nuclear programs.

He noted that all countries in the Middle East adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and implement the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, except for Israel, which continues to refuse IAEA oversight of its nuclear facilities. Israel has also repeatedly rejected initiatives aimed at establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, as mandated by resolutions from NPT Review Conferences since 1995.

Ambassador Al-Fassam highlighted that Israel continues to disregard international law, including UN Security Council Resolution 487, which called on Israel to place all its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. He also referenced the resolutions issued by the 1995 NPT Review Conference and the IAEA General Conference at its 53rd session in 2009 concerning Israel’s nuclear capabilities.

In conclusion, Ambassador Al-Fassam stressed the importance of keeping Israel’s nuclear program on the IAEA agenda until concrete measures are taken to ensure compliance. He emphasized that addressing this issue is essential for paving the way toward a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, ultimately enhancing both regional and international security and peace.