Kuwait

The United Nations Country Team in Kuwait

Currently, Mrs. Valerie CLIFF (USA) is the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait, since February 2007.

The United Nations Country Team in Kuwait works together to support the Government of Kuwait in meeting its national development goals, which were recently summarized by the Council of Ministers in the following 'Strategic Vision of Kuwait':

"Kuwait is a financial and commercial center, attractive to investors, where the private sector is leading the economy, creating competition and promoting efficiency, under the umbrella of enabling government institutions, which accentuate values, safeguard social identity, and realize human resource development as well as balanced development, providing adequate infrastructure, modern legislation and inspiring business environment."

In line with its expertise, the United Nations Country Team in Kuwait focuses in particular on supporting Kuwait institutions on the 'human' side of the development agenda, by prioritizing activities that can make an impact not just on how much economic wealth is generated, but also on how that economic wealth is mobilized and invested to better people’s quality of life through education, healthcare, and a vibrant and diversified private sector which provides attractive and sustainable job opportunities.

The United Nations Country Team members have grown in the past year with the addition of the World Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT), both of which opened resident offices in Kuwait in 2008.  These newest members of the Kuwait UNCT join the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization of Migration (IOM), all of which have been resident in Kuwait for many years.

The United Nations Country Team focuses on issues of common purpose where the agenda and scope of agencies' competencies coincide and where impact and development results can be greatly enhanced through common action. The two main themes for the UNCT in Kuwait in 2008 are promoting Gender Equality and promoting Fair Labour Policies and Practices. The Gender Thematic Group works together to ensure the mainstreaming of gender into the programmatic interventions and priorities of all of the agencies work in Kuwait and jointly sponsors national level advocacy and awareness raising events, such as the Family Law campaign conducted earlier in the year.  In the Labour area, the UN Country Team, through the representation of the International Organization of Migration, serves as a co-secretariat of bi-monthly labour meetings.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator leads the UN Country Team and is the designated representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for development operations. In the case of Kuwait, the United Nations Resident Coordinator is also the UNDP Resident Representative.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Annual Reports on Kuwait:

Annual Report 2007 for Kuwait

Annual Report 2006 for Kuwait

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme, Mrs. Valerie CLIFF, UNDP Resident Representative, Kuwait.

UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Wahid BEN AMOR, Senior Liaison Officer and Head of Office, Kuwait.

IOM – International Organization of Migration, Mr. Fawzi AL-ZIOUD, Officer-in-Charge, Kuwait.

ILO – International Labour Organization, Mr. Thabet AL-HAROUN, Officer in Charge, Kuwait.

Due to its Net Contributor Country (NCC) status, the limited and specialized presence of UN Agencies in Kuwait, and the limited funding available to those agencies, the UNCT in Kuwait does not have a harmonized programming framework.  Instead, the UNCT meets monthly to share programmatic developments and information, coordinate activities, and provide mutual support.

The UNCT works jointly as a team on issues of common interest, most notably, on labour and migrant worker issues.  Team work includes joint UNCT meetings with relevant Ministers, and joint organization and conduct of training workshops on labour – related issues through pooling of agency expertise, knowledge and financial resources.

All UNCT agencies in Kuwait will soon be moved to the United Nations House, built and donated by the Government of Kuwait, to show its appreciation and support to the United Nations.  This extraordinary building is due to open in 2008 and will host all of the resident agencies together in one place.

View some pictures from the new United Nations House!

UNCT News

24 September 2008

Kuwait stresses the importance of U.N's role sustaining the world's security and peace.

NEW YORK: His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser AlـMohammed AlـSabah gave his country's speech at the 63rd United Nations General Assembly on Thursday. Kuwait's visions on important issues on the General Assembly's agenda were presented during the speech Sheikh Nasser's speech was the first at the U.N. General Assembly since he became the state's Prime Minister in February 2006. Kuwait was accepted as a member in the U.N. on May 14, 1963 according to a recommendation issued by the U.N. Read the media coverage below....

23 September 2008

The UN's Millennium Development Goals.

In an article by H.E the British Ambassador, Mr. Stuart Laing highlights the important juncture the international community faces in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  He emphasized that with poverty presenting the greatest challenge the world faces today, the international community needs to strive towards halving extreme poverty by 2015. This month's High-level Event on the MDGs at UN Headquarters in New York will bring together world leaders to step up the pace to meet the MDGs. As we reach the mid-point for the MDGs, the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should remind each and every one that every person has the right to health, education, shelter and security.

Read the media coverage below....

21 October 2008

Annual UN Reception held to commemorate United Nations Day 25 October 2008

The United Nations Country Team in the State of Kuwait held its' annual reception to commemorate United Nations Day. Her Excellency, Dr. Moudi Al Homoud, Minister of State for Housing Affairs and Minister of State for Administrative Development who co-hosted the event celebrated the partnership between the State of Kuwait and United Nations.  For over thirty years, the UN has been providing the State of Kuwait with knowledge and expertise and shall continue to support the State of Kuwait in reaching the strategic goals of the country.  Ms. Valerie Cliff, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative emphasized that the United Nations has a positive role to play to address the challenges the world faces today and highlighted that the international community is now mid-way in its efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals.   The reception which was held at the Radisson SAS Hotel on 21 October 2008 brought in Government officials, the diplomatic community, project implementing partners and consultants and other friends of the United Nations.   

Read the media coverage below....

13 October 2008

IOM Facilitates Repatriation of Stranded Migrants in Kuwait

The migrants who are currently covered by an amnesty extended by the Kuwaiti Government, have left the country voluntarily before October 15. Most have lost their legal visa status in Kuwait due to various difficulties with their employers. As the result of a direct request by the Foreign Ministry, IOM with contribution of Government of Kuwait via the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has supported the initial repatriation of 350 of the most vulnerable, focusing on women, children and people with special needs.

The Sri Lankan Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare have provided the necessary diplomatic support to facilitate this process, as well as provided support for the returnees. The Foreign Ministry has also dispatched a group of officers to Kuwait to assist in the repatriation process. Both high ranking IOM and GoSL Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present to receive the migrants.  The receipt operation went very smooth with special assistance extended by the Immigration Authorities in Kuwait and Colombo. Both IOM Chief of Mission and Director of UN Division, MFA in Colombo gave short interviews to the local TV media crews. Furthermore, the Director of the UN Division thanked IOM in her message.  Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said: "I am very pleased to see how this operation was set up in a very short time and under extreme circumstances. We are now able to assist our people to return in dignified conditions.

12 October 2008

United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative talks about the cooperation between the Government of Kuwait and UNDPin celebration of the UN Day.

An interview with Ms. Valerie Cliff, UN RC and UNDP RR in celebration of the UN Day where Ms Cliff talked about the cooperation between the Government of Kuwait and UNDP, and the Country Programme in light of the vision of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait for Kuwait to be a trade and financial center.  

Read the media coverage below....

18 September 2008

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait attendeds a 'Ghabka' dinner hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate Church of Kuwait.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, Mrs. Valerie Cliff, attended a 'Ghabka' dinner (a Kuwaiti tradition of a late evening meal during the holy month of Ramadan) hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate Church of Kuwait, led by Father Pigol Al Anba Bishowa on 17th September 2008. In her opening statement, Mrs. Cliff praised this event as an opportunity to celebrate our deeply-held and widely-shared values that together aspire to lead to a more peaceful and inclusive world.

Read the media coverage below....

10 September 2008

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait attendeds a 'Ghabka' dinner at the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, Mrs. Valerie Cliff, attended a 'Ghabka' dinner (a Kuwaiti tradition of a late evening meal during the holy month of Ramadan) hosted by the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait, led by Father Emmanuel Ghareb on 9th September 2008.  Asked to speak at the opening of the event, Mrs. Cliff praised Kuwait as a model of religious tolerance and coexistence between different communities and praised the spirit of love and acceptance of others which is characterized by the Kuwaiti people.

Read the media coverage below....

11 August 2008

United Nations Resident Coordinator and the Security Team visit to UN-HABITAT Office to review plans of opening UN-HABITAT office in the State of Kuwait.

Read the media coverage below....

30 July 2008

United Nations Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security, Mrs. Valerie Cliff, and the UNDSS Security Advisor Mr. Yosry Aboelatta meet with HH the Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security, Mrs. Valerie Cliff, and the UNDSS Security Advisor Mr. Yosry Aboelatta met with with HH the Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah  to discuss the fulfillment of MOSS-requirements for the new UN House  and proposals for enhanced coordination mechanisms between UN officials and Government security officials. Read the media coverage below....

22 July 2008

ILO advocates to protect workers rights and dignity.

Kuwait plans to conduct medical checks on expatriates upon their return to Kuwait after visiting countries listed as having wide outbreaks of infectious diseases. Read the media coverage below....

16 July 2008

World Bank office in Kuwait seen as boost to national economy.

The opening of an office for the World Bank in Kuwait comes as a step towards developing the Kuwaiti economy and further benefiting from international expertise. Read the media coverage below....

10 July 2008

Social Affairs Seeks IOM help to end human trafficking.

Kuwait is keen on solving the problems of expatriate workers and ending human trafficking through the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which will enhance the skills of employees at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and train them to effectively handle human trafficking cases. Read the media coverage below....

24 June 2008

The United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR Commemorates World Refugee Day in Kuwait.

UNHCR Kuwait marked World Refugee Day this year in cooperation with the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society (KRCS). The event, a UNHCR posters and movies about refugees and displaced people, was co-hosted by UNHCR and Kuwait Red Crescent Society from 22 to 26 June 2008. The opening ceremony took place on 23 June and was attended by Dr. Hilal Al Sayer, Vice President of KRCS and Mr. Wahid Ben Amor, UNHCR Senior Liaison Officer and Head of Office. The event was widely covered by local TV channels and newspapers. Read the media coverage below....

5 May 2008

ILO - Alternatives to sponsorship system ‘still being studied’.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor is committed to its decision of replacing the sponsorship system with a better alternative and is currently studying three alternate systems,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Mohammed Al-Kandari as saying. Read the media coverage below....

12 March 2008

ILO - Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour looks for mechanism to end sponsorship system.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has already begun to ponder over a mechanism aiming to end the sponsor system as a state policy, a senior ministry official said here Tuesday. Read the media coverage below....

10 March 2008

Launch of National Awareness Campaign "The Law, Your Light".

Read the media coverage below....