Kuwait keen on UN cooperation, says Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef as UNAMI mandate nears end
KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Sunday the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Ambassador Dr Mohammed Al-Hassan.
Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah also met with Ambassador Al-Hassan during his official visit to Kuwait. The officials discussed enhanced cooperation and coordination between Kuwait and the UN in support of regional security and stability.
During the meeting at Bayan Palace, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to maintaining close collaboration with the United Nations. The discussions also touched on recent developments in regional and international affairs. Ambassador Al-Hassan expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s supportive role in promoting security and stability in the region.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah receives Ambassador Al-Hassan.
UNAMI mandate to end
The visit comes as UNAMI’s mandate approaches its final phase, set to expire on December 31, 2025. The mission has played a central role since 2013 in addressing two longstanding humanitarian issues stemming from Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait: the fate of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and the return of stolen Kuwaiti property, including state archives. Despite recovering and identifying 59 individuals and facilitating the return of hundreds of thousands of cultural items, 315 persons remain unaccounted for, and substantial portions of Kuwait’s archives remain missing.
Kuwait has called for continued UN oversight after UNAMI’s mandate ends, urging the appointment of a High-Level Coordinator to ensure accountability and transparency, while Iraq has preferred a bilateral approach.
In March and April 2025, Head of UNAMI Mohamed Al-Hassan visited Kuwait for high-level meetings with senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, to discuss follow-up mechanisms for unresolved issues between Kuwait and Iraq. Recognizing that these sensitive issues are unlikely to be resolved before the end of UNAMI’s mandate, the Secretary-General has proposed two options for continued UN involvement: Appointment of a senior UN representative to oversee the file or assigning the mandate to a relevant UN Secretariat department.
The UN has made clear that while progress has been made, the humanitarian stakes remain high. The remains of hundreds are still unaccounted for, and the symbolic significance of returning stolen state archives remains a priority for Kuwait. Kuwait has welcomed his recommendation at a Security Council session held in New York in June. “Kuwait believes bilateral cooperation with Iraq remains essential,” Ambassador Tareq Al-Bannai said at the time. “But UN follow-up through the Security Council is indispensable.” — Agencies
