UNSC Briefing on the situation between Iraq and Kuwait

(February 22, 2022; 1500 hrs EST)

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I thank the President of the Governing Council Ambassador Michael Gaffey for his briefing. I welcome the Foreign Minister of Iraq and the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to today’s meeting.

Mr. President,

2. At the outset, let me place on record our appreciation for the consistent work of the UN Compensation Commission and thank member states, who have diligently served as the members of the Commission over these years, for their contribution to its smooth functioning. It is heartening to know that all decisions of the Governing Council of the Commission were adopted by consensus. The role of the UN Secretariat in supporting the work of the Commission was also equally important.

3. We welcome the consensus adoption of resolution 2621, which brings to closure Council’s consideration of the issue of compensation by the Commission for Iraq’s liability under various resolutions of this Council. We commend the Government of Iraq for its commitment to fulfill its obligations, despite the severe political, security and economic challenges it faced during this period. The cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait and their continued engagement with the Commission were also key contributing factors to the successful completion of Commission’s mandate. It serves as a good model of how member states can come together and achieve post-conflict reconciliation through positive cooperation.

4. We hope that this template of cooperation would continue further on the issue of missing Kuwaiti persons and third-country nationals to bring a mutually satisfactory closure to that long standing issue as well.

Mr. President,

5. Indians and Indian companies were directly affected by the 1990 conflict between Iraq and Kuwait. Government of India had to then undertake one of the largest air evacuations in history to bring home more than 170,000 Indian nationals, who were stranded due to the conflict.

6. When the UN Compensation Commission was set-up, India had quickly established a separate Cell within the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to liaise and coordinate the claims process with the Commission. Government of India has facilitated filing of more than 150,000 claims with the Commission on behalf of Indian nationals of which around 147,000 claims were accepted by the Commission. The awards of compensation were received by the claimants and the settlement of these awards were reported in a timely manner as well to the Commission.

7. I once again congratulate the Commission for successfully completing its mandate and completing payments to all approved claims of compensation.

I thank you, Mr. President.

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