Your Excellency Hind Subeah Al-Subeah, Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs of the State of Kuwait,Your Excellency Mr. DG of the Kuwait for Arab Economic Development, Madam Resident Coordinator, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction

It is an honor and a pleasure to be back in Kuwait – my sixth time since 2012. I am also aware that yesterday, 9 September 2017, marked the third commemoration of the honoring of H.H. the Amir by the United Nations Secretary General as the Global Humanitarian Leader. A truly special moment in the history of partnership between the United Nations and the State of Kuwait.

And today, I am pleased to stand here with you to celebrate and honor one of the most exceptional leaders in Kuwait and the whole region, H.E. Minister Hind Subeah Al-Subeah. I wish to make three points about our honoree.

I. Leader

The United Nations recalls with great appreciation the commitment and leadership of H.E. the Minister in the successful implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2015, H.E. the Minister represented Kuwait at the Addis Ababa Summit to adopt the Action Agenda for financing for sustainable development as well as at different regional and global foras. She is a steadfast champion of Agenda 2030. With her leadership, the UN Country Team has launched a number of initiatives to support national implementation of Agenda 2030 through the Kuwait National Development Plan. The United Nations welcomes the recent establishment of the National Committee on Sustainable Development, to coordinate national implementation, review and reporting on Agenda 2030.   

The United Nations, and especially IOM, appreciate the important role H.E. the Minister have played to raise awareness on the importance of the Global Compact on Migration in Her Excellency’s capacity as the former Chair of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue.

The development of such a Global Compact is an ambitious endeavor. Its success will depend on effective partnerships and cooperation. In this regard, we are counting on the continuing efforts of H.E. the Minster to provide leadership in national consultations and the GCM discussion within the GCC region and beyond.

II. Unifier

The United Nations also expresses its great appreciation for H.E. the Minister’s leadership in fostering a coordinated approach between IOM, UNDP and ILO to provide effective support to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM).

Through the Support to PAM project, which was completed in June this year, the Government of Kuwait and the United Nations supported the implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan priorities regarding a stronger private sector and diversified economy.

The project contributed to enhanced institutional capacity to implement the PAM mandate through the preparation of research studies and knowledge products and strengthened tripartite participation in the International Labour Standards system to promote implementation of relevant international conventions.

The project contributed to efforts to modernize the labour inspection system and, in an example of partnership between the government and civil society, launched a national awareness campaign on occupational health and safety. Capacity of PAM employees to monitor and report on PAM performance indicators was also enhanced. Overall, the project delivered 23 training courses for 274 participants.

III. Partner

H.E. the Minister is a key partner for several UN agencies working in Kuwait, including the United Nations Development Programme. Through the partnership between the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development and UNDP, Kuwait is strengthening its institutional and human capital to support the effective implementation of national development policy.

Highlights in this regard include a strategic project with the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development and  the Central Statistical Bureau to support evidence-base planning and national institutional capacity to monitor and report on progress in achieving key performance indicators for national development; the establishment of the Kuwait Public Policy Centre to promote effective national development policy; and the launch of a joint programme with UNDP and UN Women to advance the implementation of the SDG5 on gender equality, implemented by Kuwait University.

Finally, I commend the outstanding achievements of H.E. the Minister and on behalf of my colleagues in the United Nations, I thank you for being an excellent leader on some of the major issues of the day; a unifying force in a world in disarray; and a valued and esteemed partner of change in the region.