UN Security Council Appoints Special Envoy to Address Kuwait’s Missing Persons and Stolen Property

NEW YORK, Sept 17 (VoM): The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution to appoint a special representative tasked with advancing the search for Kuwaiti and third-country nationals missing since Iraq’s 1990 invasion and overseeing the return of stolen Kuwaiti property, including its national archives.

Under Resolution 2792, adopted on Wednesday, the UN secretary-general will appoint a senior envoy whose mandate will focus exclusively on this humanitarian issue. The move follows concerns that progress could stall once the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) ends its mandate on Dec 31, 2025.

“The humanitarian importance of allowing families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives cannot be overstated,” the resolution stated, urging continued cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Despite some progress in recent decades, Kuwait continues to push for answers regarding its missing citizens and the recovery of national property. The newly appointed representative is expected to work closely with both governments, the ICRC, and technical experts, utilizing advanced methods such as DNA analysis, satellite imagery, ground-penetrating radar, and forensic technologies.

The Council also welcomed international capacity-building efforts, citing the 2024 workshop in Nicosia, organized by the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, which helped share expertise on excavation and identification technologies.

Acknowledging Baghdad’s role in regional reconciliation, the resolution encouraged Iraq and Kuwait to share their post-conflict humanitarian experience with other regions facing similar challenges.

The UN secretary-general is required to provide progress reports by March 31, 2026, and every six months thereafter. The Council will review the situation by June 30, 2028, and make a final decision on whether continued UN oversight is needed no later than Dec 31, 2030.

If the matter remains unresolved, Iraq has pledged to continue efforts independently through appropriate channels.

@voice of Malaysia news