Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi

Kuwait urges UN, int'l community to support reconciliation processes

20/11/2019

NEW YORK-- Kuwait said on Monday that the reconciliation process requires continued support from the UN and international community, describing it as a prickly and long-term process, yet its success will make us avoids destruction and losses.

This was derived from a speech delivered by Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi on Tuesday evening, during a UN Security Council (UNSC) session about the role of reconciliation in maintaining international peace and security.

He pointed out that the reconciliation process requires participation from the civil society and media, pointing out to develop a media strategy to raise awareness and encourage members of society to overcome conflict.

UNSC held many discussions over the past 10 years on preventive diplomacy tools such as mediation in conflict resolution, he noted.

He explained that in order for reconciliation to succeed, UNSC should fulfill requirements, adding that the success is contingent on respecting human rights and the international humanitarian law.

Al-Otaibi underlined the importance of developing an integrated strategy for reconciliation, pointing out that dialogue requires making concessions, sacrifices, healing wounds and moving forward with political will.

The UN have been exercising peacekeeping operations since 1948, he said.

Al-Otaibi pointed out that the peace operations succeeded in many countries, while faced challenges in others, noting that it is the responsibility of the special envoys of the secretary-general and his representatives to start dialogues leading to a successful reconciliation.

The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) often plays a key and vital role in this process, through the provision of advice and integrated strategic proposals for peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery, he underscored.

Al-Otaibi called for ensuring reliable funding for sustainable financial investment, particularly through PBC and the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).

The reconciliation process should not ignore the needs and concerns of women, the youth, refugees and displaced people, Al-Otaibi added.

That there is no single model of reconciliation, although each case has its own characteristics, according to the conflict in question, along with the historical, cultural, social and economic dimensions related to the outbreak of this conflict.

Kuwait hoped to see the signing of a peace agreement and national reconciliation in all conflict points on UNSC's agenda in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and other areas of conflict.