UAE and Kuwait warn UN on food security and maritime stability

During a United Nations Security Council debate on food security, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait warned that conflict-driven hunger and maritime disruptions pose direct threats to international peace and security.

The UAE called for the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding that Iran comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The Emirati delegation criticized interference with freedom of movement in the waterway, noting that the corridor is vital for the global movement of energy, food, and commodities. They cautioned against using shipping lanes as political leverage, which threatens supply chains for import-dependent nations.

Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tareq Al-Banai, emphasized that food insecurity is no longer just a humanitarian issue but a security concern. He urged the implementation of existing international commitments to prevent the use of starvation as a method of warfare. Al-Banai cited the Gaza Strip as a critical example, where restrictions on aid and the destruction of infrastructure have contributed to famine conditions.