KUWAIT, Dec 3 (KUNA) -- Kuwait and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday held the fifth round of unofficial human rights dialogue to look into relevant all-out developments and ways of promoting joint cooperation in this regard.
In a keynote speech during the event, held at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Duaij Al-Sabah said this round marks a milestone that underlines the significance of shared commitment to promoting fruitful cooperation in human rights, along with mutual respect and joint values that constitute the basis of strong partnership between Kuwait and the EU.
She added that Kuwait's hosting of this important dialogue mirrors its opening up to cooperation, exchange of views and effective involvement in the consolidation of global human rights principles.
Sheikha Jawaher added that the State of Kuwait has already taken impressive steps towards women's empowerment and promotion of gender equality, citing a national committee set up by the Foreign Ministry in 2023 for UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1325 regarding women, peace and security as a resonant paradigm in this regard.
She elaborated that the committee is entrusted with compiling national reports and setting out strategic policies and cooperation with international organizations to beef up women's empowerment and gender equality pursuant to the fifth goal of the UN Development Goals.
She, further, quoted the GCC leaders as having recently underlined in "Kuwait Declaration" their commitment to bolstering women's involvement in all sectors as reflecting the region's focus on creating all-out opportunities for women and young people.
The Kuwaiti official spoke highly of such initiatives as showing Kuwait's eagerness to make gender equality and women's empowerment two key pillars of human rights.
Kuwait-EU dialogue handles all-out human rights developments, selected topics of human rights and basic freedoms in Kuwait and the EU, including rights of workers, women and children, freedoms of expression and gathering and rule of law.
It also includes the exchange of views on cooperation at human rights forums, bodies and mechanisms and conducts a periodical review of international treaties and special procedures.
Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Duaij Al-Sabah led the Kuwaiti side, while head of the Arab Peninsula and Iraq section in the European External Action Service (EEAS) Anna-Maria Panagiotakopoulou led the EU side. (end) ae.mt