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Kuwait promotes tolerance | Kuwait Times Newspaper

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KUWAIT: Kuwait on Saturday reaffirmed its support for international efforts to promote a culture of tolerance and coexistence among nations. In a statement marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored Kuwait’s commitment to countering all forms of discrimination and extremism against Muslims. The ministry also stressed the importance of fostering dialogue, strengthening peaceful coexistence among diverse religious and cultural communities and promoting mutual respect to ensure global security and stability.

Meanwhile, the Arab League’s Secretariat announced plans to hold an international conference on combating Islamophobia on July 8 in Cairo, in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The League’s statement, issued on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, emphasized the need to address the growing phenomenon of hate speech and discrimination against Muslims, which has been exacerbated by global crises and conflicts, further deepening religious and cultural divisions.

The upcoming conference aims to highlight the challenges posed by Islamophobia, explore mechanisms to counter it, and advance the values of mutual respect among followers of different faiths. The Arab League noted that comprehensive strategies are required to combat this phenomenon, including educational and media initiatives that emphasize the importance of dialogue and non-discrimination. The conference will also support initiatives that encourage interfaith dialogue and foster stronger ties among diverse communities.

Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector at the Arab League, Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, underscored that Islam is a religion of peace, justice, and tolerance. She called for enhanced international cooperation to correct misconceptions and stereotypes about Islam and its followers.

Rising Islamophobia

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of the alarming rise of Islamophobia, calling for a renewed commitment to equality, human rights, and inclusive societies where individuals can live in peace regardless of their religious beliefs. Speaking at a UN General Assembly meeting on Friday to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Guterres noted that the holy month of Ramadan has begun amid increasing fears of discrimination, marginalization, and even violence against Muslims.

He described Islamophobia as part of a broader pattern of intolerance and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity. “Whenever one group is attacked, the rights and freedoms of all groups are threatened,” Guterres said, urging governments to promote social cohesion and safeguard religious freedom while combating intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination.

Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Mahmoud Al-Hamoud, emphasized the significance of the meeting in advancing international efforts to counter rising hatred and discrimination against Muslims. He reiterated the Arab Group’s commitment to upholding the principles of religious respect, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Al-Hamoud also expressed deep concern over the surge in hate speech, incitement to violence, and discrimination against Muslims, particularly on social media platforms.

He stressed that freedom of expression should not be exploited to spread intolerance or fuel discord. The Arab Group called for intensified efforts to monitor and regulate media and digital content in collaboration with social media companies, advocating for a code of conduct to curb incitement to hatred. Additionally, Al-Hamoud urged the establishment of an international legal framework to combat Islamophobia and implement accountability measures for hate crimes, ensuring justice and support for victims.

The Arab Group also expressed its support for the appointment of Miguel Martinez as the United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, a move that would facilitate coordinated global action against this growing concern. It is noteworthy that in 2022, the UN General Assembly designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. On this occasion last year, the Assembly adopted a resolution condemning all forms of religious hatred and incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence against Muslims. The resolution was introduced in response to a rise in incidents such as the desecration of the Holy Quran and attacks on mosques and Islamic sites worldwide. — KUNA

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Kuwait promotes social justice and joint Arab developmental efforts

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CAIRO: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah on Monday reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening joint Arab social and developmental efforts to uphold human rights and promote social justice. Delivering her speech at the 82nd session of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, held at the League of Arab States headquarters in Egypt, Dr Al-Huwailah opened by expressing deep sorrow over the tragic death of three Amiri Diwan employees in a traffic accident in Sharm El-Sheikh, offering condolences to the families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

She expressed pride in Kuwait’s participation in the session, which addressed key social and developmental issues, and expressed hope it would yield decisions supporting social justice policies and the empowerment of women, girls, and persons with disabilities, particularly in political participation and gender equality. Dr Al-Huwailah noted that the session would adopt the draft agenda for the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs and prepare for the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled in Doha next November. She emphasized Kuwait’s aspiration for Arab countries to make a strong and active presence at these events, showcasing development achievements and exchanging experiences in social care.

Officials are pictured during the meeting. - KUNA photos

Officials are pictured during the meeting. – KUNA photos

Highlighting Kuwait’s role, she said the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Public Authority for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities are committed to following up on the implementation of Council decisions, ensuring coordination that respects diversity and privacy while promoting social justice.

Dr Al-Huwailah concluded by thanking Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity and Head of the Executive Office Dr Maya Morsi for the warm reception and efficient organization. She also praised Egypt’s efforts in hosting the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and its unwavering support for ending the conflict in Palestine. The Executive Office meetings are chaired by Egypt, with membership including Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, the Comoros, Lebanon and Libya, alongside the participation of the Social Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States, represented by Minister Plenipotentiary Enas Al-Farjani.- KUNA

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Kuwait urges global action on poverty and climate

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NEW YORK: Kuwait has called for stepped-up international efforts to eradicate poverty, promote equitable development, secure sustainable financing, protect the environment and expand social safety nets. The appeal came in a speech delivered Saturday by Rashed S Al-Abhoul, Third Secretary of Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, during the general debate of the UN Second Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs.

Al-Abhoul said eliminating poverty in all its forms remains Kuwait’s top priority. Nearly a decade after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, only 35 percent have recorded tangible progress, while nearly half are stalled and 18 percent have slipped below the 2015 baseline, he noted. He added that the annual financing gap has now surpassed $4 trillion.

On climate, Al-Abhoul warned that challenges are more urgent than ever, with floods, droughts and wildfires causing severe losses and shrinking some economies by up to five percent annually. He called for a flexible and accessible climate finance mechanism and urged the establishment of partnerships to accelerate development progress. He stressed the need for eased financing terms, debt relief, mobilization of humanitarian resources and targeted investment in sustainable agriculture, food supply chains, innovation and digital infrastructure. The current international financial system, he said, is no longer capable of keeping pace with today’s challenges and must undergo comprehensive reform to become fairer and more transparent.

Highlighting Kuwait’s longstanding commitment to development cooperation, Al-Abhoul pointed to the creation of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in 1961 as a model of solidarity. The fund has financed more than 1,000 projects in over 100 countries, he said. Turning to the Middle East, he condemned ongoing human rights and environmental violations in the region. He said the committee must not remain silent when mandated to follow up on development challenges.

He expressed Kuwait’s strongest condemnation of the Zionist occupation’s use of starvation as a weapon against civilians and its terrorizing of unarmed populations in blatant violation of international law. He called for the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid, the guarantee of safe delivery, and accountability for those who use food and life as tools of war. Al-Abhoul stressed that the next five years will be critical and must deliver tangible, measurable progress on development commitments.— KUNA

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Kuwait participates in UNCITRAL session

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VIENNA: The 82nd session of Working Group II (Dispute Settlement) of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) commenced on Monday in Vienna, with the participation of a Kuwaiti delegation. A statement by the UN Information Service said the discussions, which will continue until October 17, focus on recognizing and enforcing electronic arbitration awards amid the accelerating shift towards digital dispute resolution in international commerce.

The working group will examine key issues, including enhancing reliance on electronically issued arbitration awards by reviewing the experiences of countries and organizations, and identifying associated legal and technical challenges. The discussions will also address the preparation of an interpretative recommendation on the 1958 New York Convention, clarifying that electronic form does not impede the recognition or enforcement of awards, and equating electronic awards with their paper counterparts where reliability and integrity are guaranteed.

Topics under consideration include proposed amendments to the Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration to define electronic arbitration awards and electronic data messages, establish rules for arbitrators’ electronic signatures, and set timeframes for receiving electronic communications, while reinforcing the principle of functional equivalence between paper and electronic formats. The group will also review amendments to the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules to permit electronic issuance and delivery of awards, and update the UNCITRAL Notes on the Organization of Arbitration Procedures to encourage arbitration institutions to adopt digital systems, taking into account enforcement requirements across jurisdictions.

The session aims to create a unified, modern international legal framework ensuring electronic arbitration awards carry the same legal and enforceable force as paper awards, thereby boosting confidence in digital arbitration mechanisms and supporting the electronic transformation of cross-border commercial dispute resolution. The Kuwaiti delegation includes representatives from the Fatwa and Legislation Department, lawyer Mohammed Al-Khuwaitim, and lawyer Farah Al-Rais. — KUNA

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