Kuwait reiterates resolve to achieve 2030 sustainable development goals
NEW YORK: The State of Kuwait has reaffirmed determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for a dignified living conditions for everybody. This was the core of Kuwait’s statement to the UN 2017 Pledging Conference for Development Activities, delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Bader Al-Munayyekh Monday evening.
Efforts through 2015 have led to endorsing major developmental results and it is “our international duty and responsibility to do our best to put them into effect, guided by what has been achieved during the past two years, and taking into consideration the new opportunities generated by the scientific and technological progress and innovation,” Munayyekh said.
He also stressed the necessity of remedying shortcomings and removing obstacles that faced the developing countries in the implementation of these results. Honoring the outstanding international commitments based on the spirit of responsibility, partnership and solidarity is the best way to reach sustainable development by 2030, he said. Donors must honor their pledges to meet the needs of the developing countries, he stressed.
Meanwhile, Munayyekh emphasized Kuwait’s eagerness to promote the national policies for development in the framework of implementing the 2030 SGDs. This will be accomplished by the participation of the entire Kuwaiti society within the country’s future development vision, considered a roadmap for a “New Kuwait” by 2035, the Kuwaiti diplomat said. This vision aims to develop Kuwait into a leading regional financial, trade, cultural and institutional hub. In the meantime, Munayyekh pointed to Kuwait’s hard efforts for enhancing its usual developmental and humanitarian approach. He stressed that Kuwait would not dawdle to extend a helping hand to the needs all over the world. The diplomat underlined Kuwait’s commitment to provide the contributions it pledged in line with noble initiatives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah.
Kuwait is a developing nation, yet it has been keen on assuming its regional and international responsibilities, carrying on with support to the world’s humanitarian issues, he said. Since 2008, Kuwait has channeled up to 10 percent of its aid to the afflicted nations through the UN organizations and agencies, he said. In addition, the country in 2015 pledged $15 billion to finance projects in developing nations over fifteen years, through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).
Kuwait’s volunteer financial contributions for 2018, $6.4 million, will be directed to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and 11 bodies, he said.
Moreover, Kuwait offers annual contribution of $3 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and $250,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). — KUNA