New York, April 16 (QNA) - Kuwait has announced that it will continue close coordination with United Nations member states in preparation for a new draft resolution aimed at securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in a move it says is intended to safeguard maritime security and ensure the uninterrupted flow of international trade.

In a statement delivered at the UN General Assembly, Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tareq Al Banai, speaking on behalf of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, said the initiative reflects concern over ongoing threats in the region and a commitment to strengthening international consensus on the principles of international law governing strategic straits used for global navigation.

Kuwait noted that the failure of a previous draft resolution in the UN Security Council due to a veto sends, in its view, a "negative message" regarding the international response to threats against maritime routes.

It warned that Iran's practices and "illegal measures" in the Strait of Hormuz represent a direct threat to global energy security and the stability of supply chains, stressing that states in the region have the right to defend their security and sovereignty under the UN Charter in the face of continued threats.

The statement added that security in the Gulf region is a cornerstone of global economic stability and growth, cautioning that any failure to uphold international obligations could encourage further violations of international peace and security. It also warned that disruptions to navigation could have serious humanitarian consequences, affecting global food security for millions of people.

The Kuwaiti envoy concluded by reaffirming commitment to continued collective efforts to ensure full compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and to uphold freedom of navigation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, in a way that guarantees security and stability for all peoples. (QNA)