United Nations in Kuwait

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Kuwait:

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31 October 2021

United Nations Day 2021

Youth4Climate Change Exhibition and events

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Publication

30 August 2021

Policy Brief on Climate Action with Focus on Environmentally Sustainable Finance

Over the past few decades, it has been a widely accepted phenomenon that industrialization in Kuwait has been realized largely based on a fossil fuel-driven production method. It does, however, contradict the contemporary global normative force of low-carbon growth. In effect, fossil fuel accounts for over 90 per cent of the domestic energy consumed in the country. As such, the trend of per capita GDP in Kuwait has inevitably been associated with the dynamics of CO2 emissions. Besides, such growth pattern has been characterized by the inefficient use of available energy resources, further causing a greater carbon footprint combined with growing energy needs from population growth and rising living standards. This growth pattern without a proactive policy
for the country’s long-term climate resilience raises doubt about the sustainability of future growth
trajectory in this regard.
Kuwait is currently confronted with a series of climate challenges – the country is known for its harsh climate, hot weather and frequent sandstorms, all of which pose serious health threats to its citizens and are further associated with unfavorable dynamics in socio-economic activities. The marine ecosystem is particularly at risk largely due to climate change affecting increased temperatures of sea surface waters. Such a climate trend especially puts a burden on the fisheries sector, the second largest after oil-related industries. Furthermore, the country’s soil is considered inadequate for farming, attributed to the relatively small amount of rainfall. Partly as a consequence, Kuwait is restrained by the amount of land available for farming and the number of crops which further put the country’s food security at serious risk. In the meanwhile, fresh water is a scarce resource, owing to Kuwait’s geographical features, including the absence of rivers and the small amount of precipitation. Coupled with such restrains, the increasing population and its associated water demand remain additional burdens. As a result, Kuwait has both one of the highest per capita energy consumptions in the world and one of the highest waste generation rates, collectively resulting in severe air pollution.
In response to those stylized climate challenges, the Government of Kuwait has made significant efforts by designing and implementing several environment quality-enhancing projects and programs. For the electricity sustainability initiative, the country invests in energy efficient desalination plants, while projects on solar and wind energy parks are also underway, thereby targeting to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix. Furthermore, the country has scaled up its efforts in improving data infrastructure to be used for environmental research that could further better inform decisions on environment policies. Meanwhile, wastewater treatment plants are being built for industrial use, which could further be used for the irrigation of green spaces that are being built in the fight for climate conservation. In terms of promoting behavioral change, the government attempts to strengthen awareness raising initiatives, collaborating with various non-governmental organizations to increase the sustainable/efficient use of water resources; individual-level recycling and changing its waste management practices to environmentally responsible ones are also emphasized in the form of awareness
campaigns.
Notwithstanding such tremendous nationwide efforts, there still exists several policy gaps. These can be categorized into: (i) the still-high level of energy consumption and air pollution; (ii) a relative lack of modern technologies employed in the sectors of seawater desalination, wastewater treatment and waste management facilities in an integrated manner; (iii) a weaker understanding (uncompetitive knowledge base) of the complexity
between climate change and socio-economic dimensions; and (iv) a lack of proactive measures against climate
change, engaged by the private sector in terms of finance and investment. Although the first gap can be associated
somewhat with macro-level industrial strategies, the other three gaps could be addressed in a more effective manner
by embracing a focus on sustainable finance practices. It is mainly because doing so could strengthen private sector
engagement and any form of capital (both human and financial) would thus contribute to environmentally-friendlier
processes, particularly on the technology front. While being engaged in sustainable finance practices, the
continuous efforts on promoting a culture of recycling and responsibility especially at the individual and community
level would be required to maximize the likely impact on society as a whole.

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Press Release

17 May 2021

Op-ed by Dr. Tarek Elsheikh UNSG Representative and Resident Coordinator to Kuwait

Kuwait, 16th of May 2021 - The United Nations celebrates the International Day of Living Together in Peace on the 16th of May of each year. A day that invites countries of the world to live and act together, united in differences and diversity to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity, and harmony. Since its admission to the United Nations in 1963, the State of Kuwait has always emphasized on its commitment to regional and world peace and human dignity, promoting the use of dialogue among nations and fighting all forms of terrorism. Now, in 2021, Kuwait stresses on the importance of dialogue to empower the values of equity, acceptance and co-existence between the different civilizations, cultures, and religions, and hence live together in peace. With this belief asserted in actions, the State of Kuwait developed a State Vision of New Kuwait 2035, harmonizing its national development plan with the international development vision by adapting the plan to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) 2030 agenda. In 1961, the year of its political independence, the state of Kuwait established the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). A generous declaration to the world that Kuwait is willing to share its wealth with other developing countries and hence lead in that vital and noble role of enhancing the regional and international peace and development. Since that date, KFAED has provided loans to 107 countries, for the purpose of implementing development projects in sectors such as education, transportation, industry, energy, water and sewerage, peacebuilding, and many others. This year, while the world is bravely fighting an unprecedented global crisis unleashed by COVID-19, it is important more than ever to promote equity, solidarity, compassion, and kindness to help ensure peace, under the motto ‘Nobody is safe until everyone is safe’. People from different groups volunteered together to respond to the pandemic. Stemming from this belief, on 10 August 2020, The State of Kuwait pledged 10 million US dollars to Gavi, the vaccine alliance for supporting COVAX Advance Market Commitment Countries. On 15 November 2020, The Kuwait Fund has contributed 4 million US dollars to UNICEF’s COVID-19 response in Syria, supporting the most vulnerable children and families. On 6 July 2020, the World Health Organization acknowledged the generous funding of Kuwait that supported the implementation of Jordan's COVID-19 national preparedness and response plan. In 2021, The state of Kuwait has donated oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and other medical supplies to aid India in their fierce fight against COVID-19. These are only few examples however the State of Kuwait still has much more to open-handedly contribute to the world, it is a destiny Kuwait is proud to fulfill. Such destiny was commended during the General Assembly in its Seventy-Sixth Session, October 2020, when Secretary-General António Guterres celebrated the life of Sheikh Al-Sabah also known as “dean of Arab diplomacy” and described him as a bridge‑builder and a messenger of peace. With foresight and political wisdom, Sheikh Al-Sabah shaped Kuwait’s preventive diplomatic engagement, he said, recalling how in the thick of the Syrian refugee crisis, Sheikh Al-Sabah convened the first conference of solidarity, and started it off with a generous offer that inspired other countries to step up their response. In a recent update from WHO, the Executive Director Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed his gratitude to the government of Kuwait for providing over USD 200 million between 2015-20, enabling WHO to progress towards achieving #HealthForAll, address health emergencies and save millions of lives around the globe. The partnership between the UN and Kuwait goes beyond mobilizing resources for UN programmes and includes collaboration on global projects. These are focused on advocacy, capacity development and technical collaboration with the aim of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and providing assistance that alleviates the suffering of millions around the world. Two days ago, 14th May marks the 58th anniversary of the State of Kuwait as a member State to the United Nations. I take this opportunity to congratulate the government of Kuwait under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and wisdom of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah for the continuous and tireless efforts in promoting peace and prosperity through our long-standing strategic partnership to provide much needed support and assistance to communities around the world and particularly in support of various humanitarian operations including in Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Yemen and for the Rohingya, to name a few. When declaring the International Day of Living Together in Peace; the United Nations invited countries to observe the Day in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs of their local, national and regional communities, including through education and public awareness-raising activities. End.

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Publication

14 July 2021

One UN Report 2020 - State of Kuwait

The One UN Report 2020 provides an outline for a well-coordinated, sustained and harmonized engagement
in support of the Delivering as One (DaO) agenda in the State of Kuwait. This annual report shows that Kuwait is
making good progress on the United Nations four pillars of people, prosperity, planet and peace. During 2020, the UNCT supported the implementation of SDGs though the “Risk mitigation and Recovery Plan
under Covid-19” (RMRP) facing the global crisis. UNCT provided timely technical assistance and knowledge
sharing on “socio-economic resilience” in areas of Supply-Chain management, food systems resilience,
support to SMEs, and the promotion of innovative business models and ideas to SMEs to address the
current challenges. Promoting HRBA, countering hate speech and GBV. This report comes at an exciting period of our work in Kuwait, when the country has embarked on a
bold transformation plan to propel the nation into a sustainable development and resilient economy. We thank the Government of Kuwait for its extensive collaboration and support to implement the flagship joint initiatives which are grounded in the critical elements of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Government of
Kuwait was one of the first to affirm, to the Secretary-General, its support for the UN Reform initiative. Despite
challenges faced by the global crisis, the Government has expressed its commitment to pursuing the country’s social and economic development including building human capital. In 2020, the United Nations and the Government of Kuwait jointly reviewed the Strategic Partnership Framework 2020-2025 and agreed on the way forward. We appreciate our development partners from all sectors for the strengthened relationships that have resulted
in a substantive increase in interest in working with the United Nations as a partner of choice, predicting
a promising diversified funding base in the future collaborations. We are also happy to report that the UN is
leveraging its work with communities, the Government and development partners in the context of the
human rights, humanitarian assistance, development and peace building, Energy Nexus, health and digital
transformation. During 2020, we’ve witnessed an increased involving the media, civil society, the
private sector and general public, leveraging the UN’s comparative advantage to best address the State’s
key priorities. With the UN’s support, Kuwait is now better prepared to quickly and effectively coordinate
international health crisis and humanitarian assistance for crises. The UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Teams are pleased with the increased use of information
technology in the development context to address the critical information and evidence gaps. Looking
forward to 2021, the Government is reviewing, with UN support, the finalization of the SCF which will be
presented as the One UN binding document for the first time. For continued success in 2021, areas of the
human capital and knowledge economy, economic divarication, climate change, global positioning have
been prioritized by the UN and the Government within the context of the SCF 2020-2025. As the United Nations
we stand firm in our commitment to meaningful multisector stakeholder engagement, improved national
coordination mechanisms and data collection to facilitate informed policymaking. The United Nations would also like to acknowledge other partners for their invaluable support to our programmes and initiatives. Our One UN Report also builds upon joint initiatives that have successfully been undertaken in the past
few years and seeks to highlight the lessons learned, the UNCT collective efforts to improve coherence,
coordination and harmonization of the United Nations development system, while the SCF ensures adoption
of individual agencies’ special focus on their specific global mandates, to efficiently and effectively deliver
on development aspiration for the country.

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Story

07 June 2022

The Commercial Real Estate Company Al-Tijaria Group Amongst the lead in Joining the UN Global Compact Initiative

Eng. Abdulmutaleb Marafie - CEO of the Commercial Real Estate Company, announced that the Company joined the UN Global Compact initiative, which aims to unite the efforts of leading companies in supporting the fields of human rights, anti-corruption, environmental support and decent work. Despite the company's initiative to include these objectives in its business for many years, supporting these initiatives paves the way; encouraging other companies to pursue the same principles among their priorities. Al-Tijaria’s interest in social responsibility and its keenness to implement the principles of corporate governance has grown to become one of the basic standards for the company’s belief that social responsibility is no longer a matter of volunteering to contribute to the society. It has become an essential part of developing the company on the long term, and through a wide range of activities such as charitable, cultural, scientific, health, environmental and social contributions. The participation in the initiative was made through the generous lead by Mrs. Rabaa Hussain Maki AlJuma, senior UN adviser to the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator / Manager of United Nations Global Compact in Kuwait and Qatar. After reviewing the company's initiatives in the field of the environmental protection and community support through many activities for decades. Maki AlJuma, expressed her appreciation for the efforts reviewed in the meeting with the aspiration that other companies in Kuwait will follow Al Tijaria’s method towards supporting these activities to raise the awareness about the importance of concerted efforts towards more sustainable world. This step came after further development, specifically after issuing the first sustainability report of the Commercial Company that focuses on the company’s role on their initiatives and activities with The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Kuwait’s National Development Plan, prepared by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) through RSM Albazie & Co. To conclude, Mr. Marafie welcomed the role played by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait partnership with relevant institutions and its sponsorship to raise awareness of the importance of uniting global efforts for a more effective role for companies in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and the principles of the United Nations Global Compact initiative, which contributes to improving the living conditions as well as sustaining the future generations.

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Story

21 December 2021

To mark Human Rights Day: The National Diwan for Human Rights and the United Nations Office in the State of Kuwait Signs a Memorandum of Understanding

19 December 2021, The National Diwan for Human Rights and the United Nations Office in the State of Kuwait have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote joint cooperation between the two sides and coordination in the areas of human rights. The areas of cooperation between the United Nations and the National Diwan for Human Rights set out in the memorandum of understanding covered many aspects of common interest and intersections between the strategic objectives of both sides in order to achieve the objectives of that step. The Head of the Kuwaiti National Diwan for Human Rights, Ambassador Jassem Al-Barki, said in a press release on Sunday, on the sidelines of the signing, that the whole step was aimed at establishing a joint cooperation mechanism that would strengthen the role of the two sides and strengthen their coordination in accordance with the objectives and areas of competence of the parties. This step, Ambassador Al-Mubarak added, is the added value of strengthening the role of the Cabinet in this regard, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two sides through capacity-building, promoting awareness of and ensuring the exercise of human rights values, in recognition of the importance of joint cooperation in the areas of human rights. In a similar statement, the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Resident Coordinator of the State of Kuwait, Dr. Tariq El-Sheikh, paid tribute to Kuwait's efforts to develop human rights mechanisms and to ensure their protection and promotion. Dr. El-Sheikh noted Kuwait's strong interest in international human rights treaties and charters through the integration of those goals into the State's development plans, particularly in support of women, children, older persons, education and health care. He referred to the State of Kuwait's humanitarian footprints at the local, regional and international levels, which had led it to gain the appreciation of world organizations.

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Story

21 December 2021

The United Nations in Kuwait mark the International Day for People with Disabilities

Kuwait - December 6, 2021, under the patronage and presence of Sheikha Sheikha Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the resident coordinator in the State of Kuwait, Dr. Tariq Al-Sheikh.. The Public Authority for People with Disabilities Affairs, with the participation of the Institute of Human Development, established the Training of Social Welfare Categories and People with Disabilities and the College of Social Sciences at the University of Kuwait event (Empowering people with disabilities is a joint national policy). The event was held on Monday, 6/12/2021 at the headquarters of the United Nations House in the Mishref area, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event included:

For his part, the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Resident Coordinator in the State of Kuwait, Dr. Tariq Al-Sheikh, said on the sidelines of the event that Kuwait is a pioneer in integrating people with disabilities into society through digital inclusion, especially with regard to the United Nations Development Program. Sheikh stressed the need to develop specialized policies to integrate people with disabilities into society by facilitating their requirements and needs, praising the efforts of those in charge and participants in the event. He also stressed the constant quest to cooperate with the Public Authority for People with Disabilities, innovators and those with outstanding skills in this category, to shed light on their capabilities to be an active component in the development process led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Where the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Dr. Khaled Mahdi, explained that the five-year development plan for the State of Kuwait and the government’s work program pays attention to people with special needs, through the pillar of developing and strengthening human capital, as it provides programs dedicated to serving, caring and rehabilitating this category through the “Disability Authority” » Which included a number of development projects that achieve the desired goals by caring for people with special needs, developing the services provided to them, and naturally integrating them into society and the labor market.

As we meet today on this occasion, which coincides with the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reiterate the emphasis on continuing to care for this group in order to ensure equal rights for all members of society without discrimination, out of belief in the role of this group in the development of society and in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development in general.

After the opening speeches, the forum's symposiums began, where the first session dealt with the first axis, which is entitled Educational Integration, which was spoken by Mrs. Al-Khansa Al-Husseini from the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities. For her part, Ms. Hediko Hadjiac, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program, said, "Providing support and empowering people with special needs is an integral part of the national development plan for the State of Kuwait, within the framework of its third program, which provides for providing people with skills and incentives that work on the future development of these people, In addition to the achievements made by the State of Kuwait in the past years, which contributed to accelerating the pace of work with people with special needs for political, social and economic integration, as well as using innovative technologies and tools to improve the capabilities of people with special needs.

This included a short film on the United Nations Development Programme.

Dr. Maha Al-Sijari, Acting Dean of the College of Social Sciences at Kuwait University, explained
"The College of Social Sciences at Kuwait University provides students with disabilities with all services to facilitate all difficulties and provide a healthy environment and privileges that include several psychological, material and educational aspects to support students in their educational achievement. The College of Social Sciences also conducts scientific studies aimed at educational inclusion for students with disabilities and creating awareness Dr. Maha Al-Sijari called for concerted efforts from all parties concerned in the educational attainment of students with disabilities to achieve educational integration for the development of Kuwait and the realization of the New Kuwait Plan 2035.

In the second session, the participants discussed the second axis, which is vocational rehabilitation and employment in the State of Kuwait. The Director of the Institute of Human Construction for Training, Eng. Awatef Al-Salman, and Mr. Captain Al-Amin from Ahli United Bank talked about the experience of employing people of determination with disabilities in the bank for members of the first batch, since they were the first to initiate The Banking Sector To support the Partners Employment Campaign initiative, the axis featured a documentary film of the campaign and its affiliates and those appointed in the Ahli United, National, Commercial and Gulf Banks.
The event concluded with an open discussion of the participants and recommendations.
- This was followed by a distinctive qualitative donation presented by the human building system to the sponsors, which is a palm tree that expresses the spirit of volunteerism and its symbolism in challenge and giving, as it will be planted in the land of the headquarters of the sponsors of the system’s initiatives, and then the event concluded with a tour of the exhibition of talents of people with disabilities, which was well received by the audience.

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29 June 2021

WHO Office Inauguration in Kuwait

Joint Press Release between the Ministry of Health and The United Nations On the Inauguration Event Of the WHO Office in the State of Kuwait United Nations House 15 June 2021 Kuwait, 15 June 2021 – The World Health Organization (WHO) today opened a Country Office in Kuwait in a move set to strengthen its presence and cooperation with the Government to support its efforts in advancing the health and well-being of the country’s population. The newly established office will enable WHO to work on the ground with United Nations agencies, partners, the authorities, and other stakeholders in health, development and other sectors to foster public health collaboration at the national, regional and international levels. Kuwait has long been an influential and strategic Member State and partner for WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Kuwait contributed to and enhanced the global and regional response to the COVID-19, while the Ministry of Health led a well-coordinated multisectoral response to the pandemic within the country and strengthened national capacity across all levels of government. The Minister of Health of Kuwait, Dr Bassel Humoud Hamad Al-Sabah, formally inaugurated WHO’s new premises in Kuwait City in a ceremony, in presence of HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Majdi AlDhafiri. The ceremony was attended virtually by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, and was hosted by the Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, Dr. Tarek El-Sheikh, and WHO’s Representative in Kuwait, Dr Assad Hafeez. “With the establishment of the new WHO Country Office, we look forward to forging an even stronger partnership and greater collaboration, and to seeing its impact on improving public health in Kuwait,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros. “As one of the first responders to the COVID-19 appeal, Kuwait’s contributions have played a critical role in helping WHO and health partners respond to the pandemic and in saving lives, particularly of the most vulnerable.” From his side Dr Tarek Elsheikh said: “We are happy to announce the official opening of the WHO office in the State of Kuwait, a major milestone in our longstanding partnership for continued and sustainable national health achievements (that are excelling during this challenging times) and to complement its sister agencies in the United Nations Development system effective partnerships with Kuwaiti stakeholders. Kuwait has also been at the forefront of efforts to secure lifesaving support to millions under emergency and humanitarian crises. As a partner and advocate of WHO’s mandates, it has upheld the guiding principles of the United Nations Charter to Leave No One Behind through enabling the provision of life-saving interventions to affected communities in Syria, Iraq, Yemen amongst other countries. In doing so, Kuwait has supported UN Agencies, funds and programmes to protect access rights to essential preventive and curative care for millions of vulnerable people. The great contribution made to WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) has played an unequivocal role in the rapid scale up of healthcare delivery during states of emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This commitment is resonant in the country’s most recent pledge to the COVAX facility, which will ensure equitable global vaccine coverage; and which is reinforced on the ground in Kuwait in the United Nations collaborative campaign with the Ministry of Health to promote vaccine confidence and uptake by migrant workers. Nationally, this close coordination has aligned national health strategies with WHO guidance for the ultimate goal of strengthening health system preparedness and capacities to respond to emergencies and to intervene sustainably for population health and wellbeing against preventable morbidity and mortality”. On this occasion, the Minister of Health Dr. Bassel AlSabah, appreciates the support of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, and Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al-Mandhari, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, and its keenness to take executive measures for the opening of the permanent headquarters of the Organization in the State of Kuwait within the United Nations system Where the will of the two parties met the importance of this step, especially at the present time when the world is living through the new Corona pandemic, which represents an unprecedented challenge and faces health systems worldwide, including the health system in the State of Kuwait, which requires strengthening international solidarity and cooperation to exchange experiences gained and lessons learned from Implementing surveillance, preparedness and response procedures and policies for the emerging corona pandemic and benefiting from them to support the global system to confront pandemics and epidemics. Dr. Asaad Hafeez has been chosen as a permanent representative of the World Health Organization in its permanent office in Kuwait. We welcome him among his family and brothers. We wish him success and look forward to joint work by developing and updating the joint cooperation strategy between the State of Kuwait, the World Health Organization and all partners, which will define the axes and areas of joint action in accordance with the national health priorities. And the state’s development plan and commitment to achieving global goals and objectives for sustainable development related to health until 2030, and ensuring the commitment of the State of Kuwait before the international community in this regard, in implementation of the decisions of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The Organization’s Regional Director, Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, said on this important occasion “enhancing national and regional collaboration with Kuwait was a major priority. “Kuwait has historically been a generous supporter of WHO causes and initiatives, especially in the context of emergency response, and has always provided its support where and when it is most needed. The inauguration of this new Country Office will further advance our collaboration and bring us closer towards achieving our vision of Health for All by All in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.” Reaffirming WHO’s aim to provide support to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, Dr Assad Hafeez, WHO Representative in Kuwait, commented: “We are looking forward to working closely with the Kuwaiti government and all stakeholders, especially the UN family, to advance the health and well-being of the population in Kuwait. I have the privilege of being the first WHO Representative in Kuwait and I am committed to exerting all efforts to support the Ministry of Health and other sectors in their endeavours to achieve national and global health goals, including the response to COVID-19 pandemic.” The opening of the Kuwait Country Office reflects the critical importance of close contact with states and governments in WHO’s work. Country offices represent a link between the Organization and governments. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region comprises 22 countries and territories, most of which have a presence on the ground: the opening of the Kuwait Country Office brings the number of WHO country offices in the Region to 19. WHO country offices play a key role within the Organization in ensuring appropriate WHO technical cooperation with countries and leadership in the health sector. Functions of country offices includes: policy advice and technical support; information, public relations and advocacy; and management and administration.

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Press Release

12 March 2023

International Women's Day WEP

To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, the Supreme Council for Planning and Development and the Women’s Research and Studies Center/Kuwait University, in partnerships with the UN in Kuwait, UNDP and UN Women, will be holding a discussion panel to highlight the importance of Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) in contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, to discuss the role of Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) as a set of principles offering guidance to businesses on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community, and to share and promote achievements and initiatives undertaken by the private sector as well as UNDP and UN Women in promoting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, in particular economic empowerment of women in their workplaces and communities. Optimizing women’s perspectives, skills and innovative ideas – whether in the markets or workplaces – is key to business development and inclusive development. “A new approach to financing where public and private sector investments are tailored to women’s and girls’ needs, can transform the technology and innovation ecosystem,” said Susanne Mikhail, UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States. “If we apply strategic financial levers such as public sector digital programmes, research grants and procurement, and private sector investments, we can transform innovation ecosystems. Public and private sectors must fund gender analysis and interventions in all digital policies and programmes, research grants and procurement,” she added. “UN Women has prioritized innovation and technology as one of the drivers of change to achieve gender equality and the SDG

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Press Release

19 April 2022

المفوضية توقع اتفاقية مع جمعية الشيخ عبد الله النوري لدعم اللاجئين السوريين في الأردن

وقع الاتفاقية كل من ممثلة المفوضية لدى دولة الكويت نسرين ربيعان، في مقر جمعية الشيخ عبدالله النوري الخيرية الواقع في منطقة القادسية وتم الإبرام على الاتفاقية من قبل السيد/ جمال النوري رئيس مجلس إدارة جمعية الشيخ عبدالله النوري الخيرية تهدف الاتفاقية إلى تقديم المساعدات النقدية لأكثر من 2,000 أسرة لاجئة (بواقع 347 أسرة شهرياً لمدة ستة أشهر) والتي ستعينهم على التزود باحتياجاتهم الأساسية كالغذاء والإيجار والرعاية الصحية والتعليم. هذه الاتفاقية هي نتاج حملة "دثروني" التي أطلقتها المفوضية في الكويت بالشراكة مع جمعية النوري في نوفمبر 2021 واستمرت حتى مارس 2022. وأعربت ممثلة المفوضية لدى دولة الكويت، نسرين ربيعان، خلال حفل التوقيع عن امتنانها للقائمين على جمعية الشيخ عبد الله النوري الكويتية، وعلى دعمهم المستمر لأنشطة المفوضية الإنسانية، وقالت: "نفتخر بشراكتنا مع جميعة الشيخ عبدالله النوري العريقة، وهي ثاني اتفاقية تبرمها المفوضية مع الجمعية، والتي سوف تسهم في دعم جهودنا للتخفيف من معاناة اللاجئين السوريين. فمع مرور أكثر من 11 عاماً على اندلاع الأزمة السورية، وفي ظل الآثار الكارثية للجائحة وارتفاع مستويات الفقر، فقد أصبح كل يومٍ بمثابة حالة طوارئ بالنسبة للاجئين، ونحن نعول على شركاء المفوضية من جمعيات وشركات وأفراد لسد العجز ودعم الجهود الرامية لمساعدة اللاجئين السوريين، الذين وصل عددهم لأكثر من 6.6 مليون لاجئ حول العالم." وأضافت: "هذه الاتفاقية تدل على الثقافة الإنسانية العالية لدى الشعب الكويتي، ونتطلع إلى توسيع نطاق التعاون مع الجمعيات الخيرية الكويتية لمساعدة اللاجئين والنازحين حول العالم." من جهته قال رئيس مجلس إدارة جمعية الشيخ عبدالله النوري الخيرية المهندس جمال عبدالخالق النوري إن هذه هي الشراكة الثانية بين الجمعية والمفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين والتي من المقرر أن يستفيد منها 2082 أسرة سورية لاجئة في الأردن لمدة ستة أشهر. وأوضح النوري أن اتفاقية التعاون التي تمت بين الجمعية والمفوضية خلال العام الماضي استفاد من نتائجها 2053 عائلة من اللاجئين السوريين بالأردن مؤكداً حرص جمعية الشيخ عبدالله النوري الخيري على استمرار الشراكة الاستراتيجية مع المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين من أجل عمل إنساني أفضل ومزيد من النجاحات الميدانية في مساندة النازحين واللاجئين حول العالم. بدوره، صرح رئيس قسم شراكات القطاع الخاص لدى المفوضية في الكويت، نادر النقيب: "تعزز المساعدات النقدية من قدرة اللاجئين على تلبية احتياجاتهم بكرامة، كما تمنحهم حرية الاختيار من خلال تحديد أولويات الإنفاق لديهم." وأضاف: "تعول المفوضية على الدعم المقدم من شركاء القطاع الخاص والجمعيات الخيرية في الكويت في سبيل الاستجابة للاحتياجات الإنسانية المتزايدة لدى اللاجئين، ونحن نثمن شراكتنا مع جمعية الشيخ عبد الله النوري التي تساهم في إحداث فارق في حياة الكثيرين منهم." " تعد حملة «دفء الشتاء» لعام 2021 - 2022، والتي تهدف الى تقديم المساعدات العاجلة للاجئين في مختلف الدول وخاصة في الداخل السوري وعلى الحدود التركية السورية وفي الأردن ولبنان، وأيضا في الجمهورية القرغيزية، التي تطلقها المفوضية كل عام من الأدوات الأساسية لدعم اللاجئين الذين يواجهون ظروف الطقس الصعبة في ظل شح مقومات الحياة، والحاجة الماسة للمساعدات اللازمة من خيام وبطانيات والتدفئة وأيضا الغذاء والمأوى والعلاج ". لمزيد من المعلومات يرجى التواصل مع: خالد كبارة المسؤول الإعلامي لمفوضية اللاجئين لدى دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي +971 50 641 0868 kabbara@unhcr.org لولوة التركيت مسؤولة العلاقات الخارجية مكتب المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين في دولة الكويت tarkeet@unhcr.org

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Press Release

03 April 2022

UNHCR and Tanmeia Foundation launch Ramadan campaign to support Rohingya refugees

The launching event was held in the UN House "Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah Building," and attended by UNHCR's Representative in Kuwait, Nisreen Rubaian, Dr. Nasser Al Ajmi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Manager of Tanmeia, UNHCR’s Chief of Private Sector Partnerships in MENA, Houssam Chahine, Kuwaiti Artist, Humood Al Khudher, in addition to UNHCR partners in Kuwait. The campaign aims to raise funds to support UNHCR's humanitarian response to Rohingya refugees needs in Cox’s Bazaar,Bangladesh, which includes securing adequate shelter solutions and ensuring basic needs, such as food, medicine, healthcare services, education, clean water, and education. Nisreen Rubaian, UNHCR's Representative in Kuwait, expressed her appreciation for Tanmeia's support to UNHCR's humanitarian activities. "Our private sector and charity partners have supported around half a million Rohingya refugees over the past two years, which is also demonstrated in Tanmeia’s philanthropic role by lending a helping hand wherever refugees are, it also highlights Kuwait's humanitarian leadership." She added “"We look forward to strengthening our cooperation with Kuwaiti charitable associations to help displaced and refugees worldwide." On his part, Tanmeia’s Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Manager, Dr. Nasser Al Ajmi, commented on the collaboration with UNHCR, stating that, “the pandemic has left the marginalized and most vulnerable communities in dire need of urgent relief." He added: "This collaboration will provide relief assistance to those who are most in need in Bangladesh." UNHCR’s Head of Private Sector Partnerships in Kuwait and Emerging Markets, Nader El Nakib, said: “'Tanmeia has contributed more than US$ 1 million since 2020 to support UNHCR's projects in the sectors of shelter, food, education, water, and healthcare, which were implemented in Bangladesh, Lebanon, Jordan, and Yemen. Tanmeia was the first charity to launch a public fund-raising campaign in Kuwait alongside UNHCR, during Ramadan 2020." In this year's event, Kuwaiti artist Humood Alkhudher also launched his collaboration with UNHCR on an anthem titled "Ekhtiary" which conveys a message of peace and solidaarity on behalf of forcibly displaced people worldwide during the holy month of Ramadan. Around one million Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazaar camps remain in need of healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities. UNHCR and its partners are working to scale up health and education services, as well as skills and livelihood programmes. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Khaled Kabbara Communications Officer - GCC Countries +971 50 641 0868 kabbara@unhcr.org Loulwah Al-Tarkeet
Assistant External Relations Officer - UNHCR Kuwait +965 97883866
tarkeet@unhcr.org

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