Kuwait affirms UN role in ending conflicts, extremism worldwide
Help needed in West Africa: Al-Otaibi
NEW YORK, Dec 17, (KUNA): Kuwait affirmed the role of the UN in ending conflicts around the world as well as prevent their break out.
Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi made the remarks during the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) session on violence in societies and violent extremism in West Africa late Monday.
The UN has an office specialized in fighting violence and extremism in Burkina Faso, said Al-Otaibi. He added that it played a prominent role after conditions worsened in the country as well as in Gambia, following the presidential elections in 2017.
West Africa is facing many challenges including terrorism, drug trafficking and climate change, having a direct impact on the region’s stability, he noted.
Al-Otaibi called for coordination between the international communities to implement previously signed initiatives on development in the West
Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Mansour AlOtaibi.
Africa region.
Meanwhile, he spoke of Kuwait’s funding of various development projects in these countries, providing about $640 million in the past few years, through the Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development (KFAED).
The Kuwaiti diplomat also called for supporting the UN office in the region to enhance its work in fighting violence.
Al-Otaibi hailed the pledges of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made last September to enhance dialogue as a way to de-escalate tension in these countries.
He also applauded their efforts to allow women, youth, religious leaders and NGOs to engage in the dialogues and play a role on promoting values of tolerance and moderation.