Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, said the theme for the 80th session “embodies the necessary spirit of solidarity in order to overcome the multiple and interconnected challenges of today.”  Member States must work together to preserve the Organization as the refuge for States and peoples to address their disputes, overcome challenges and determine the means to achieve economic, social and human development around the world. He noted that while a third world war has not been experienced since the Organization’s founding, the world has recently witnessed an incapacity to address political, security, human, health and climate related challenges as necessary.

To prevent a nonrecurrence of mistakes and grant future generations a safer world, he urged Member States to “heed the lessons of our shared failures in the context of this Organization”.  Turning to the UN80 initiative, he called for the prioritization of Security Council reform in a manner that ensures justice, transparency, credibility and non-selectivity so that its composition “more accurately reflects the world we live in today”.  He said his country continues to promote joint efforts in the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as strategic relationships with regional and international organizations to deepen relations with the United Nations.

“We people of the Gulf do not know the impossible, and we will navigate towards the future with strong hearts and determination, believing in our destiny,” he said.  Spotlighting the recent “dangerous military escalations and expansion of conflicts,” he condemned the “brutal Israeli aggression against Qatar” and reiterated that any threat against a Security Council member is one against all Member States.  He said his country remains persistent in its decades-long efforts to help Iraq achieve the legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi people and to promote regional stability and security through bilateral agreements “to build a better future for both our countries and to turn the page on the painful past”.

Therefore, for the third consecutive year, Kuwait reiterates its commitment to the provisions of the agreement to regulate maritime navigation in the Horn of Abdallah with that country, just as it expects a reciprocation of same.  He condemned the situation in Gaza and called for an end to the Israeli occupation there. Further, he welcomed the 22 September recognition of the State of Palestine and urged States which have not done so to act likewise.  He also urged Iran to “initiate a serious path for confidence-building measures” regarding its nuclear programme and other issues.