NEW YORK: Kuwait has reaffirmed the urgent need to address the plight of missing persons in armed conflicts by tackling root causes and fostering inclusive dialogue as a foundation for peaceful dispute resolution. The statement came during remarks by Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations Faisal Al-Enezi at a side event hosted Thursday at Kuwait’s Mission to the UN. The event was organized in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and The Global Alliance for the Missing.

Al-Enezi cited alarming figures from the ICRC indicating that 2024 witnessed the highest annual increase in the number of missing persons in more than two decades. He stressed the pressing need for proactive preventive measures and effective mechanisms to respond to such cases. Highlighting Kuwait’s longstanding leadership in this field, Al-Enezi pointed to the country’s sponsorship of UN Security Council Resolution 2474 (2019) — the first resolution dedicated to missing persons in armed conflict.

The resolution underscores the importance of prevention, identification of the missing, return of remains to families, and accountability as key components of reconciliation and lasting peace. He further called on all parties to conflict to register and report the personal details of detainees and guarantee their ability to communicate with family members. Al-Enezi concluded by reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment to promoting collective dialogue and strengthening practical cooperation between states, UN agencies, and civil society to better safeguard the rights of missing persons and prevent future tragedies. — KUNA