Ambassador receives diplomatic distinction award

Kuwait's Ambassador to the UK, Khaled Al-Duwaisan, has received the "BEN TV Special Award" for Distinction in Diplomatic Service at a ceremony held here late on Friday.The station, which specialises in Commonwealth, Caribbean and African issues, hosted this event to mark the occasion in central London.Ayoub Mzee headed the organising committee of the ceremony.It was attended by a large number of Ambassadors from the Commonwealth countries and from the Caribbean and African nations, as well as UK media representatives and diplomats from the Kuwait embassy here.Addressing the award ceremony, Mzee emphasised that Al-Duwaisan, who is also the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in the UK, deserves, through his dedication, distinction and efficiency, this acclaim, not only for his services to his country, but also for the larger diplomatic community here.In response, the Kuwaiti envoy thanked those present for this great honour bestowed upon him and his country, Kuwait.He praised BEN TV Channel, which aims at empowering, transforming and challenging the conventional perceptions of Africa, and Caribbean and African descendants In his brief address, the Kuwaiti Ambassador took this special opportunity to underscore the importance of co-operation between countries in order to face the various challenges and enhance security and stability in the world.He went on: "Also allow me to reiterate the crucial role of diplomats and the responsibility that lays upon our shoulders in helping our countries work together to address the problems facing peoples around the world".The envoy equally recalled that diplomats strive to eliminate poverty and resolve conflicts and crises as well as promoting prosperity.Al-Duwaisan noted that the UK has the largest number of diplomatic commissions in the world after the UN.There are 186 Diplomatic missions and 22,500 diplomats operating in London in a harmony which he personally "finds quite astonishing".Meanwhile, Al- Duwaisan pledged in his capacity as Head of the Diplomatic Corps and Dean of Arab Ambassadors "to do everything in my power to serve its members".