Kuwait Times

Published Date: September 20, 2009

NEW YORK: His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived here Friday heading a high ranking delegation to represent Kuwait at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Upon his arrival to New York, HH the Premier expressed his appreciation and happiness to represent HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the meetings of the UNGA and the events that will be held, in addition to his chairmanship of a roundtable of a high
level meeting on climate change.

Sheikh Nasser said that the UN presents and continues to present many contributions to the international community, especially in ending international disputes that threaten innocent lives and slow down development and security.
He also shed light on the UN's role in facing the new challenges which humanity is suffering, in addition to the historical role which the UN played during the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and its rapid movement to end this ordeal and the return of its legitimacy.

HH Sheikh Nasser added that the Kuwaiti people will always be grateful and appreciatively remember the UN stance which rejected the invasion and its continuous efforts to liberate Kuwait, with the support of its international allies.

Sheikh Nasser also expressed hope that the efforts of the international community intensify to support the UN goals aiming at fighting the swine flu (H1N1) which rapidly spread worldwide and is threatening the human kind.
HH the Premier affirmed that Kuwait appreciates the UN role in this field and supports its plans and efforts, and that it continues to support the UN various activities.

Upon his arrival, HH the Premier was received at J.F. Kennedy airport by Kuwait's permanent delegate to the UN Ambassador Abdullah Al-Murad, Kuwait's Ambassador in Washington Sheikh Salem Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti diplomats and the Kuwaiti Consular.

The prime minister is due to take part next Tuesday in the summit conference on climate change to be hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and attended by some 100 heads of state and government.

During the meeting, Sheikh Nasser is expected to center on topics related on ways of coping with climate change, mainly from the economic aspect, as well as energy, environment and development. Other matters to be tackled include desertification and those related to island states.

The summit is due to be opened by Ban, followed by a speech by US President Barack Obama. Other chief delegates and world experts are due to take part in the high-level meeting.

Sheikh Nasser will also be heading one of the summit's roundtables. During his stay in New York, Sheikh Nasser is scheduled to meet several heads of state and government, including the permanent members of the Security Council and Arab officials to discuss regional and international issues.

Kuwait's prime minister is due to deliver a speech on September 25 in which he will present his country's views on many political and other matters. A day earlier, he will attend a rare Security Council summit to be presided over by President Obama. Only the 15 council members will attend the meeting which will discuss nuclear non-proliferation and later vote on a US draft resolution that calls for stepping up efforts on this issue, in an indirect reference to Iran and North Korea.

Sheikh Nasser is scheduled to meet with the secretary general next Monday and be one of his guests at a lunch banquet. He will also attend a reception to be hosted by Obama.

The Kuwaiti premier will attend a meeting in New York to be hosted by former US President Bill Clinton on his international initiatives. Sheikh Nasser will also be among Arab and foreign leaders attending a meeting marking the 60th anniversary's celebrations of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to be chaired by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. --- KUNA