YouSaid · the spoken record

Alotaibi

lines on the record: 2,145
first: 2010-04-14
most recent: 2022-07-26
sittings or episodes: 301
sources: un-security-council

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“Israel, the occupying Power, has carried out plans to build, expand, fund and license its settlements that have led to an increase in crimes against innocent Palestinian people, their properties and their holy sites. Sadly, that has gone on under the protection of the occupying authorities, which are fully responsible for the crimes and aggressions that violate international law, international humanitarian law, the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention and other international conventions that guarantee peace and security for people on occupied land. We therefore strongly condemn Israel's illegal expansionist settlement policy in all its forms on all the territories of the State of Palestine occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. We reaffirm that Israeli settlements are null and void and cannot be accepted as a fait accompli.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source
“We will also shed light on the illegal settlement policy. Resolution 2334 (2016) stresses that Israeli settlement activities are a blatant violation of international law and an obstacle to peace. Unfortunately, however, that has not deterred Israel, the occupying Power, from expanding its policies to annex Palestinian territories at an unprecedented rate. The Secretary-General's report clarifies that Israel took no steps during the reporting period to end its settlement activities, which means that Israel, the occupying Power, has paid no attention to the calls of the Security Council, as outlined in the resolution, to fully and immediately end its settlement activities.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source
“Mr. Alotaibi (Kuwait) (Spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his twelfth report (S/2019/938) on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016), which is a written report in line with the provisions of the resolution and presidential note S/2017/507, as is the case with all other items on the Security Council agenda. We look forward to receiving at least two written reports every year in that regard. We commend the efforts of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, and reaffirm our full support to him in his efforts to carry out his mandate. We also thank Ms. Adele Raemer for her briefing and Mr. Mladenov for his update on the situation of the implementation of this important resolution, which we will be highlighting in our statement today.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8690 (2019) · source
“We therefore look forward to pursuing bilateral cooperation in the near future and to playing a renewed role in supporting South Sudan through one of the most delicate stages in its history, towards security, stability and development in a friendly South Sudan and in order to generate hope for a future full of peace and prosperity.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“We condemn the kidnapping and killing of volunteers of the International Organization for Migration in late October 2018 and remind everyone of their responsibilities under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. In conclusion, as this is the last meeting of the Council in which our delegation will discuss the situation in South Sudan, we express our hope that this dossier will see positive developments and promote greater unity among Council members. Kuwait recalls the historically close relationship of brotherhood and development that it has shared with South Sudan for more than 45 years.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“At the same time, we welcome the progressive reduction in the number of persons in civilian protection sites at UNMISS, and reaffirm that the protection of civilians remains the primary responsibility of the Government of South Sudan. Thirdly, with regard to the work and mandate of the Mission, we appreciate the role of UNMISS in South Sudan and we commend its good offices and the health, humanitarian and legal services it provides, all of which contribute to the consolidation of peace by giving priority to political solutions. We also call for assurance of the freedom of movement and humanitarian assistance, supported by UNMISS, in accordance with the status-of-forces agreement and relevant Security Council resolutions regarding the mandate of the Mission.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“Secondly, with regard to the humanitarian situation, we welcome the fact that the ceasefire has continued to hold in most regions of South Sudan, and we hope that conditions will be conducive to strengthening the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their areas. We call on the international community to redouble its efforts to alleviate the humanitarian burden on the population, especially in the areas of health, education and housing, and underscore the references in resolution 2417 (2018) to starvation and conflict. Starvation is central to relapses into conflict and we are concerned that more than 6 million people are undernourished or malnourished.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“Riek Machar last month in Uganda and more recently in Juba, as well as the commitment to completing the tasks of the pretransitional phase before the end of the additional 100-day extension period, especially those relating to mandates in terms of numbers and scope, the grouping, unification and training of forces and the formation of the transitional Government of national unity, in accordance with the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. We also thank the other countries of the region, especially the Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia, for their active role in making peace, and we appreciate the support given by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in connection with those efforts, most recently its 10 November communique.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“Mr. Alotaibi (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I thank Mr. David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), for his briefing. I also thank Ambassador Joanna Wronecka for her briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015). I thank her and her team for their excellent stewardship of the work of the Committee over the past two years. I would like to discuss three issues: political developments, the Mission's mandate and the humanitarian situation. First, with regard to political developments, we welcome the meetings between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Mr.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of the Security Council, including the former members that we worked with during our first year on the Council, in addition to the wider membership and, of course, the Secretariat for their cooperation over the past two years. I am confident that the incoming Chair, Ambassador Inga Rhonda King of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, will bring her enthusiasm and ideas to further the work of the Group. I convey my best wishes to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and assure that country of our full support and cooperation from outside of the Council.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“We hope that this workshop will set the tone for the Group's work beginning in 2020 and serve as a forum for Council members to engage with one another and continue exploring ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council's work through its working methods. As we have mentioned before, it is vital to stress that improving the working methods of the Council does not end with the adoption of the revised version of note 507. The whole process, including note 507, which we consider as a living document, is dynamic and evolving. We therefore believe that it requires an open mind and flexibility and that the issue of enhancing the working methods is an ongoing process.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“The selection of subsidiary body chairs was also facilitated by the Chair, in his capacity as Chair of the Informal Working Group, in both 2018 and 2019, in accordance with the provisions of note 507, with a permanent member also serving as a facilitator both years. We are currently carrying out the hand-over to the incoming Chairs and hope to ensure that the momentum achieved in the last two years will continue when Saint Vincent and the Grenadines takes over the chairpersonship next year. To help with a smooth handover, we are co-organizing a workshop with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines involving all 15 members, to take place in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in January. The workshop will focus specifically on the issue of working methods and the Informal Working Group.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“The meeting also saw two procedural precedents, namely, the first-ever joint statement by the 10 elected members, delivered by the representative of South Africa, and the statement delivered by the representative of New Zealand on behalf of more than 20 former elected numbers. With the assistance of the Secretariat, the Informal Working Group also came up with a set of indicators designed to measure the implementation of several aspects of note 507, including the number of references to note 507 in Council meetings, the number and format of meetings held, the number and type of papers presented in Council meetings, the gender of briefers and the number of wrap-up sessions held. These indicators were updated and circulated to members on a quarterly basis and remained a standing agenda item at all the meetings of the Informal Working Group.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“Over the course of the last year, we discussed these proposals within the group and received feedback from Council members by convening several rounds of negotiations and bilateral meetings. We hope to see these notes adopted before the end of this month. Kuwait also held an open debate during its second presidency of the Council, in June, on the implementation of note 507 (see S/PV.8539), which served as an opportunity to update Member States on the progress made in the deliberations of the Informal Working Group thus far and also to hear feedback from the wider membership on the Council's performance in the context of its working methods.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“The discussions in the open debate set the tone for the Informal Working Group's programme of work. During the first year of its chairpersonship of the Group, Kuwait convened several meetings and informal briefings on various issues related to the Council's working methods, many of which were proposed by Member States during the open debate. A non-paper containing proposals based on those put forward by the wider membership during the open debate was also prepared and circulated to members by the Chair. During the second year of our chairpersonship, in 2019, we drafted and circulated eight presidential notes, which included proposals on co-penholdership, subsidiary bodies, visiting missions, wrap-up sessions and several other issues.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“As members know, I assumed the Chair of the Informal Working Group at the start of 2018, shortly after the adoption of revised presidential note S/2016/619, otherwise known as note 507, which was facilitated by Japan in its capacity as former Chair of the Informal Working Group in the preceding two years. The Informal Working Group held 11 formal meetings, 5 in 2018 and 6 in 2019. We also held many informal informals for the purpose of discussions and negotiations. During its first presidency of the Security Council, in the month of February 2018, Kuwait convened an open debate on the issue of working methods, at which many Member States stressed the need for continued discussion and engagement on the enhancement of the Council's working methods and decision-making process (see S/PV.8175).”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“On behalf of the Committee, let me emphasize the great value that we place on the work of the experts, their independence and their security. I would like to take this opportunity today to convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to all who have worked with and supported my chairpersonship over the course of these two years, most notably the members of the committees that I have chaired, without whom we would not have been successful in accomplishing our objectives. I must express my most sincere gratitude to our friends and colleagues in the sanctions secretariat, who have provided us with the utmost support over the last two years. Please allow me to say a few words in my capacity as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“The first is that continuing to work towards the implementation of United Nations sanctions should be a priority. Indeed, I believe sanctions cannot be successful if they are not properly implemented by Member States. Proper implementation entails cooperation with the Committee, the Secretariat and the Group of Experts by States, which is why we strived to enhance cooperation during my tenure as Chair. Secondly, I would like to emphasize the importance of supporting the work of the Group of Experts, which has provided the Committee with a considerable amount of information on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the most recent period. The experts went to great lengths to obtain credible information with a view to identifying spoilers.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“Member States should be reminded that the obligation to notify the Committee before providing military support to the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo would enable effective traceability and better monitoring by the Committee and the Group of Experts, which is necessary for the efforts of the Council to resolve the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region. This is the case because, with less visibility, weapons and military equipment can end up in the hands of armed groups that use them to attack civilians, humanitarian workers and United Nations peacekeepers in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would like to conclude my remarks and reflections in this context with two important points.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“I feel that using all types of meetings available to the Committee, such as informal informals, open briefings and informal consultations, can enhance its effectiveness. The positive developments remind us that the Security Council should continue to combat the rampant impunity enjoyed by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and send a clear message to those who intend to undermine peace and security in the country and the region. Some individuals subject to sanctions continue to abuse and prey on civilians and benefit from the cash generated by their illegal taxation of the population and exploitation of natural resources. These individuals succeed in circumventing the sanctions as they do not travel or make banking transactions.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“It provided me and participating delegations with an opportunity to hold consultations with high-level officials, civil society representatives and businesspersons from the Member States concerned on a number of issues relevant to the work ofthe Committee. Following the visit, I sent a report to the Committee and discussed the report's findings and recommendations in a Committee meeting with a view to further strengthening cooperation with relevant States on the implementation of sanctions measures. The past two years have been very constructive. They have shed light on the challenges the Committee faces in carrying out its work, while simultaneously highlighting good practices that should be continued in the long run.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“We also held open briefings for all Member States, in addition to meetings for States of the region, to allow all of them to be heard and relay relevant information to the Committee and to address their concerns pertaining to the reports of the Group of Experts. In May of this year, I had the opportunity to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Uganda and the United Arab Emirates to obtain first- hand knowledge of the implementation of sanctions measures. The visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region was my first since assuming the chairpersonship of the Committee.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“During my chairmanship of the Committee, we held meetings with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Nations Mine Action Service on the neutralization of armed groups, the monitoring of the arms embargo and the situation with regard to ammunition and weapons management in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, discussed the illegal exploitation of natural resources and met with the Presidential Adviser on Sexual Violence and Child Recruitment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Special Representatives of the Secretary- General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Sexual Violence in Conflict to discuss human rights issues, focusing on women and children, which provided a platform for discussing progress and challenges.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“Over the past two years, I have had the privilege to chair the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would like to use this occasion to reflect on both my role as Chair of the Committee over the course of the past two years and the work accomplished during that time. At the outset of my term as Committee Chair and with the support of the Secretariat, a work plan was prepared, featuring our objectives for each meeting and the key points of focus that we believed were of importance.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8688 (2019) · source
“As this is the last time that I take the floor on this item of the agenda, I would like, in conclusion, to reiterate the solidarity of the State of Kuwait with the Government and the people of Afghanistan in supporting them in all the challenges they are facing. We support their efforts towards national reconciliation on the way to achieving lasting peace and stability through a negotiated political settlement that ensures security, development and prosperity for the brotherly Afghan people.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8687 (2019) · source
“Despite the challenges facing Afghanistan, we appreciate the concrete steps that the Afghan Government recently took to continue its efforts to combat the scourge of drugs and terrorism in order to re-establish its control and sovereignty over the entire country. Afghanistan has also continued to seek to amend and improve national legislation to put an end to violence against Afghan women. We have noted with satisfaction the continued engagement ofAfghanistan in dialogues with neighbouring countries and countries of the region throughout various meetings and conferences, which have led to continued cooperation with the aim of achieving peace and stability in the region, enhancing security cooperation and combating terrorism.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8687 (2019) · source
“According to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/935), those security incidents are generated by armed clashes, which represent 55 per cent of the violent incidents in Afghanistan, in addition to suicide attacks, which represent 24 per cent of such incidents. Those horrible figures demonstrate the magnitude of challenges and responsibilities facing Afghanistan, the countries of the region and the international community as a whole. That demonstrates the need to achieve an Afghan peace agreement that is supported at the regional and international levels in order to put an end to the violence once and for all.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8687 (2019) · source
“The priority in that regard should be given to the interests of Afghanistan and its citizens in order to put an end to armed confrontation once and for all. The Security Council must continue to step up efforts in support of the political process and call all countries in the region to create favourable conditions for peace in Afghanistan and the region. In terms of the security situation, we share the concerns of the Secretary-General about the instability in Afghanistan, especially in the light of the ongoing armed fighting in most of the country. Security-related attacks have increased by 13 per cent as compared to last year. In addition, UNAMA recorded 6,654 security incidents between 9 August and 7 November.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8687 (2019) · source
“The people of Afghanistan have written one of the most beautiful and courageous pages in confronting all challenges, threats and acts of violence by showing up at the polling stations to select the President of their country. We also salute the efforts of UNAMA and the Independent Election Commission to monitor the voting process and count the votes in those historic elections. The end of the year is near and there are many issues of concern in Afghanistan that we need to tackle, in particular the peace process and the national reconciliation efforts, in order to put an end to 40 years of unstable and challenging security and political situations that have negatively impacted the lives of Afghans. We call on all Afghans to engage in a frank dialogue that supersedes any personal, confessional or partisan differences.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8687 (2019) · source
“Mr. Alotaibi (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): I thank Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and Ms. Aisha Khurram, Afghan Youth Representative to the United Nations, for their comprehensive and valuable briefings. I would like to echo those who have spoken before me and express our gratitude to Mr. Yamamoto for his work as Head of UNAMA. We appreciate his vital role and dynamic efforts aimed at supporting the Afghan people in particularly complex political circumstances that have witnessed many historic accomplishments. As we meet here, three months after the presidential elections in Afghanistan, I would like to commend the Government and the people of Afghanistan for successfully holding those historic elections.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8687 (2019) · source
“UNOWAS is dedicated to that area and we have seen how effective its role has been in Burkina Faso in response to the deteriorating situation there, and in the Gambia after the presidential elections in 2017. We invite UNOWAS to continue working along those lines and reiterate our full support for its endeavours.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“We also welcome the efforts made by the countries of the region within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States, which issued a pledge in September to commit to its decision to strengthen the role of dialogue in the reduction of tensions among societies and to ensure the involvement of women, young people and religious leaders in that process, given that, together with civil society organizations, they play a fundamental role in achieving tolerance, moderation and coexistence. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the fact that the role of the United Nations is not limited to those countries suffering from conflict, but is also crucial to preventing conflict, the deterioration of situations and relapse into conflict.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“The most prominent among them is UNOWAS, which plays a pivotal role in the region as a whole and needs our support to strengthen its mandate and mobilize the resources necessary to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities as effectively as possible. It also provides support for the countries of the region in their quest to counter the challenges they face and builds their capacities to combat terrorism, organized crime and illegal trafficking. United Nations peacekeeping missions play an important role in the protection of civilians and support for Governments in the preparation of plans to prevent intercommunity violence and achieve stability.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“There are also challenges that contribute directly to increasing violence within societies in West Africa, such as conflicts between farmers and herders, climate change and the lack of State authorities in remote areas - a phenomenon that has spread to a number of West African countries. Therefore, our focus should be on issues related to social welfare and development efforts. There is also an urgent need for social reconciliation between the various communities and for initiatives aimed at ensuring peaceful coexistence between communities for the sake of stability in the region. We have seen such measures taken in Mali, with the signing of reconciliation agreements between the Government and representatives of a number of Mali's central communities. The United Nations has many offices and missions in West Africa.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“There are a number of regional, international and United Nations initiatives aimed at achieving development, and it is important to coordinate all of those efforts to ensure their success, as that will contribute to building confidence between the Governments and the peoples of the region and to fighting the phenomenon of violent extremism, building on the military gains achieved by the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel and the Multinational Joint Task Force. For its part, Kuwait has contributed to supporting development in West Africa by providing financing for various development projects - almost $640 million over the past five years - through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“The attack demonstrates the magnitude of the security challenges facing the region as a whole. West Africa and the Sahel are dealing with many challenges, including the spread of terrorist activities and weapons, climate change and the illegal drug trade, all of which contribute to destabilization in the region. Discussions on those challenges must address the root causes, and progress must be made in the areas of development, creating economic opportunities for people and strengthening governance.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“Mr. Alotaibi (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to begin by thanking you, Madam President, for convening this meeting. We also extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Chambas and Mr. Chergui for their valuable briefings. We appreciate the role played by the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), under the leadership of Mr. Chambas, who is working to achieve progress in many areas, including the reduction of political tensions, governance and the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Ijoin my fellow speakers in extending my sincere condolences to the Government of the Niger and the families of the victims of the terrorist attack that took place last Tuesday in that country, killing 71 of its soldiers. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“At the same time, we stress the need for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to fully comply with all its international obligations in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. It must also dispose of its nuclear weapons, abandon its illicit programmes and return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear-weapon State.”
2019-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8682 (2019) · source
“We have begun to see talks grind to a halt and a return to ballistic missile launches, accompanied most recently by inflammatory statements, including threats of conducting further provocative missile attacks that would jeopardize regional and international peace and security. Those threats led us to hold a number of closed meetings and to convene today's to consider how to deal with the current situation on the Korean peninsula. In conclusion, the State of Kuwait believes that dialogue is the best way to address this issue. We call on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to return to the negotiating table to resume direct talks with a view to reaching a peaceful solution to the crisis surrounding the nuclear programme of the Democratic People's Republic ofKorea and establishing sustainable peace on the Korean peninsula.”
2019-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8682 (2019) · source
“The cohesion and unity of the Council have played a leading role in condemning all North Korea's illicit programmes, be they related to nuclear or ballistic missiles. It is of the utmost importance for the Council to remain united, firm and resolute towards the full implementation of all its relevant resolutions, while taking into account the humanitarian situation and ensuring that humanitarian aid provided by the relevant international agencies reaches those who need it. Despite the optimistic climate over the past year, such optimism has rapidly started to dissipate, threatening to overturn any progress on the Korean peninsula.”
2019-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8682 (2019) · source
“However, the initiative of the United States and countries of the region in choosing a path of direct dialogue has borne out and led to the convening of presidential summits and subsequent agreements, which were endorsed by the State of Kuwait and the entire international community. Those agreements contributed to defusing the military confrontation and reducing tension on the Korean peninsula in order to reach the desired goal of the denuclearization of the region in a verifiable and irreversible manner and to achieve comprehensive and lasting peace between the two Koreas. It is also important to underline that those diplomatic initiatives coincided with a series of international resolutions adopted by the Council.”
2019-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8682 (2019) · source
“Mr. Alotaibi (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting. I also thank Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Khaled Khiari for his valuable briefing. The situation on the Korean peninsula is one of the most long-standing, dangerous and fragile issues on the agenda ofthe Security Council. Only two years ago, we followed with great concern the heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula and the risk ofa military escalation in the region following nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches by North Korea in clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2019-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8682 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, while we commend Iraq's efforts to fulfil all of its remaining international obligations to the State of Kuwait, as stated in the relevant Council resolutions, we hope that those outstanding commitments will be honoured. Kuwait was one of the first to support Iraq in overcoming the obstacles to its stability and security and in fulfilling its remaining commitments since the liberation of the State of Kuwait in 1991. We are certain that Iraq's implementation of its remaining commitments, under the supervision of the United Nations, will strengthen the relationship between our two countries on a basis of respect for the relevant Council resolutions.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source
“We hope that Iraq will continue working to ensure the return of all Kuwaiti property, including the national archives. What has been returned is only a small part of what is missing. The national archives that the Secretary-General mentions in his report (S/2019/865) have been missing since 1991 and are valuable to the State of Kuwait for historical reasons. We previously provided many lists of the archives that have not yet been returned, most notably those of the Amiri Diwan, the Office of the Crown Prince, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, all of which were looted during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. They are priceless and some of them date back to the nineteenth century.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source
“We commend the ICRC for its role in determining the fate of the remaining missing Kuwaitis and third-country nationals in the past few years. This cooperation has enabled us to determine the fate of 236 of 605 missing persons. We hope it will continue and be stepped up in its next phase in order to make substantive progress in implementing the plans and programmes of action agreed by the member States of the Commission. With regard to the issue of Kuwaiti property, I commend the efforts of the Iraqi authorities and all the parties that have helped to facilitate the return of Kuwaiti property, including most recently 200,000 books, as Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert mentioned in her briefing. This is a positive step and part of Iraq's efforts to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source
“We call on the members of the Council to continue their support and their serious endeavours to find a solution that can end the suffering of the families of the missing persons, determine their fate and locate their remains. In that connection, we highlight the efforts of the United Kingdom, France and the United States to contribute to the work of the Tripartite Commission, including by providing maps and archives from 1990 and 1991, which we hope will yield further positive results, since we have now located the remains of a number of missing Kuwaitis that are being analysed to determine their identities. We also appreciate the Government of Iraq's constructive contribution as part of the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Subcommittee, under the leadership of the ICRC.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source
“We welcome the vital role played by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq to enhance those efforts, in line with its mandate, including its proposal, in consultation with the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament, to set up a reform road map that is in accordance with the legal and constitutional framework and takes into consideration the basic demands of the Iraqi people. The question of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, which has been an item on the Security Council agenda for three decades, is an important and sensitive issue for the Kuwaitis and the families of the victims, who have been eagerly waiting any information on the fate oftheir loved ones for the past 29 years. This is a humanitarian issue, and we hope it will be resolved as soon as possible.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source
“It is important to address them through a constructive and peaceful dialogue, which requires the support and assistance of the international community and the United Nations, while respecting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and avoiding any form of interference in its internal affairs. The State of Kuwait is aware of the difficult phase facing Iraq. We will spare no effort in supporting Iraq and its people in accordance with their needs and those of the Iraqi Government as they strive to address their internal challenges.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source
“The recent past has shown the unity of the Iraqi people, regardless oftheir political, ethnic and religious affiliations, by eliminating the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and overcoming the darkest and most challenging chapters in its history. We wish the entire Iraqi people lasting stability and prosperity. At the same time, we welcome the steps taken by the Iraqi Government to meet the demands of the Iraqi people and to defuse the situation, including the establishment of a committee to investigate the use of force against protesters and holding accountable those responsible for violations against them. The next stage in Iraq will be important to the country's recovery, and we are aware of the considerable challenges it will face.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source
“As a neighbouring country, Kuwait is following developments in Iraq very closely after the protests that began several weeks ago in a number ofgovernorates. We regret the casualties that have occurred among civilians and security forces, and we extend our condolences to the families of the victims. In that context, we call for non-violence, restraint and calm. We should not provide those seeking to harm Iraq and the Iraqi people with the opportunity to sow strife, instability and insecurity by using live ammunition and attacking innocent protesters and public and private property. We hope that Iraq will be able to overcome those exceptional circumstances and normalize the situation.”
2019-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8676 (2019) · source