Kuwait offers support to reform UN Secretariat March 06, 2010
UNITED NATIONS: Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi presented his credentials on Thursday evening to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, as Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Kuwaiti representative also submitted a letter to the UN Security Council president asking that "the situation between Kuwait and Iraq" be maintained on the council's agenda, to prevent it from being automatically and permanently omitted from discussions.
Speaking after his meeting with the Secretary General, Ambassador Al-Otaibi expressed his pride at representing his country at the UN, and said that Ban had congratulated him on his new post and wished him success in his mission, while underscoring the important role played by Kuwait in the UN.
The ambassador said that he had conveyed the greetings of Their Highnesses the Amir of Kuwait, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, along with the Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, to the UN Secretary General.
I reaffirmed to the Secretary General that Kuwait is a small, peaceful country that is committed to the goals and principles of the United Nations, and that it will continue to support his [Ban's] efforts to reform the UN Secretariat and the General Assembly, as well as his role in reforming the Security Council," he said.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi asserted that he would utilize his experience in the service of Kuwait and the principles of the UN, based on his belief in the importance of the actions taken by the international organization, in tackling global challenges.
The Kuwaiti representative further revealed that during the meeting, he expressed his hope that following the Iraqi elections and the formation of a new government, the UN would continue to encourage and assist Iraq in implementing the remaining articles stipulated in UN resolutions, such as the maintenance of border markers between Kuwait and Iraq, the issue of missing Kuwaitis and the return of Kuwaiti property.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi reiterated to Ban that "Kuwait will stand by Iraq and assist and encourage it to implement these commitments," adding that the Secretary General had affirmed that the UN would exert all efforts, through Ban's representative in Iraq, Ad Melkert, to conclude these issues in the shortest possible time.
The new Kuwaiti representative officially took over his post as head of the Kuwaiti mission to the UN on February 22. Up to that date, Al-Otaibi was Director of the Kuwait Foreign Ministry's International Organizations Department from 2007, prior to which he was a member of Kuwait's UN mission from 1992 to 2006.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi is replacing Ambassador Abdullah Al-Murad, whose tenure ended in December. Earlier on Thursday, Ambassador Al-Otaibi held a luncheon in honor of the Kuwaiti female delegation that is currently taking part in the 54th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, being held at the UN from March 1-12.
Speaking after his meeting with the Secretary General, Ambassador Al-Otaibi expressed his pride at representing his country at the UN, and said that Ban had congratulated him on his new post and wished him success in his mission, while underscoring the important role played by Kuwait in the UN.
The ambassador said that he had conveyed the greetings of Their Highnesses the Amir of Kuwait, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, along with the Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, to the UN Secretary General.
I reaffirmed to the Secretary General that Kuwait is a small, peaceful country that is committed to the goals and principles of the United Nations, and that it will continue to support his [Ban's] efforts to reform the UN Secretariat and the General Assembly, as well as his role in reforming the Security Council," he said.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi asserted that he would utilize his experience in the service of Kuwait and the principles of the UN, based on his belief in the importance of the actions taken by the international organization, in tackling global challenges.
The Kuwaiti representative further revealed that during the meeting, he expressed his hope that following the Iraqi elections and the formation of a new government, the UN would continue to encourage and assist Iraq in implementing the remaining articles stipulated in UN resolutions, such as the maintenance of border markers between Kuwait and Iraq, the issue of missing Kuwaitis and the return of Kuwaiti property.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi reiterated to Ban that "Kuwait will stand by Iraq and assist and encourage it to implement these commitments," adding that the Secretary General had affirmed that the UN would exert all efforts, through Ban's representative in Iraq, Ad Melkert, to conclude these issues in the shortest possible time.
The new Kuwaiti representative officially took over his post as head of the Kuwaiti mission to the UN on February 22. Up to that date, Al-Otaibi was Director of the Kuwait Foreign Ministry's International Organizations Department from 2007, prior to which he was a member of Kuwait's UN mission from 1992 to 2006.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi is replacing Ambassador Abdullah Al-Murad, whose tenure ended in December. Earlier on Thursday, Ambassador Al-Otaibi held a luncheon in honor of the Kuwaiti female delegation that is currently taking part in the 54th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, being held at the UN from March 1-12.
The delegation groups the head of the media committee at the Union of Kuwaiti Women's Societies, and members Dr. Dhuha Al-Shaqath and Sheikha Al-Mithen.
- KUNA
