Kuwait Earns a Seat at the UN Security Council, Represents Arab Nations

Last 01 January 2018, Kuwait formally took the role as representative of the Arab nations at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The Gulf state replaced fellow Arab country, Egypt starting this year until 2019.

Image Credit: REUTERS/Stephanie Keith

Kuwait Returns to Join UN Security Council After 40 years

This will be Kuwait’s formal return to the Council after a 40-year hiatus. Kuwait long prided itself on its neutrality and independent foreign policy. However, in recent years, Kuwait played a major role in maintaining peace and order among Gulf nations after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as well as Egypt cut ties with Qatar in June of last year.

Because of these efforts, Kuwait received 188 votes among the 193 UN General Secretariat member states to earn a seat at the UNSC for the next two years.

Kuwait Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Sabah Khalid al- Sabah affirmed that Kuwait will closely work with UNSC members to help solve some of the most challenging conflicts in the world today. However, the Gulf state will maintain its neutral position on world affairs as it prepares for its 2-year seat at the Council.

In recent years, Kuwait fared well amidst the divisions among Arab nations, partly due to its oil wealth and neutrality in global issues.

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