Today's Edition
Ahmed Murad (CAIRO)
Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah is spearheading a new era of growth, continuing the journey of comprehensive development in Kuwait, as Kuwaiti-Emirati relations continue to flourish across various sectors.
Recognised as a key and influential player in the Middle East, Kuwait holds a distinguished regional and international stature, attributed to its relentless endeavours to diversify and broaden its diplomatic, political, and economic engagements with a vast array of countries and international organisations worldwide.
Kuwait’s adoption of a balanced and equitable foreign policy, facilitated through active and efficient diplomatic channels, renders it a vital strategic ally for numerous regional and global entities. These relationships, founded on mutual understanding, respect, and shared interests, are further highlighted by its global diplomatic missions and the hosting of embassies and consulates from most nations.
Pillar of Gulf Solidarity
Bahraini political analyst Saad Rashed underscored Kuwait’s role as one of the pillars of Gulf collective action, highlighting the many initiatives and endeavours the country has championed over the past 40 years to foster solidarity, partnership, and cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in diverse political, economic, and military arenas.
Rashed told Aletihad that the late Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, alongside the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, were instrumental in the formation of the GCC.
They advocated for a common Gulf cooperation strategy across all domains during the 11th Arab Summit in November 1980.
The subsequent year witnessed the establishment of the GCC, with Kuwait’s Abdullah Yaqoub Bishara being elected as the inaugural Secretary-General of the Council.
Over the past four decades, Kuwait has hosted seven GCC summits - in 1984, 1991, 1997, 2003, 2009, 2013, and 2017 - resulting in many historical resolutions, most notable of which are the creation of a unified military command, the approval of a defence strategy, the adoption of measures to ease the movement of citizens, the flow of goods, and trade exchange among member states, addressing challenges within the common Gulf market, and the formulation of a unified and impactful foreign policy.
Kuwait has distinguished itself within the GCC by having three of its nationals serve as Secretary-General, the highest number among Gulf countries - Abdullah Yaqoub Bashara, who led from May 1981 to March 1993; Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, serving from February 2020 to January 2023; and the Kuwaiti diplomat Jassem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, who began his term on February 1, 2023.
The Bahraini political analyst highlighted Kuwait’s commitment to bolstering security and peace both regionally and globally, along with its continuous endeavours to uphold the sovereignty of countries in the region and enhance regional and international collaboration to tackle regional and global challenges.
Dr. Ayman Al Raqab, a strategic partner and expert in international relations, underscored the significance of Kuwait’s role on the regional and international stage, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber A Sabah, making it a key strategic ally for numerous leading powers and international organisations.
Al Raqab told Aletihad that Kuwait’s proactive and influential engagement within the United Nations since its accession on May 11, 1963, resulted in many remarkable achievements, especially during its tenure on the Security Council in 2018 and 2019.
Kuwait’s critical role in regional and international affairs is underscored by its successful hosting of important summits. This includes the inaugural Arab Economic Summit in January 2009, where Kuwait proposed the first Arab development initiative to establish a fund with a capital of $1 billion, $500 million of which was funded by the country itself, to support small and medium-sized development projects in Arab nations.
In October 2012, during the first Asian Cooperation Dialogue Forum, Kuwait announced a $300 million donation to finance development projects in non-Arab Asian countries. Furthermore, at the third Arab-African Summit in November 2013, attended by heads of state and representatives from nearly 60 Arab and African nations, Kuwait pledged soft loans totalling $1 billion over five years to African countries.
Humanitarian Endeavours
A Palestinian expert in international relations commended Kuwait for its unwavering support of humanitarian efforts across the globe, evident through its relentless humanitarian convoys and campaigns. These initiatives, devoid of any discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or language, have significantly bolstered Kuwait’s reputation in various regional and international forums.
In September 2014, the United Nations designated Kuwait as a focal point for humanitarian endeavours and awarded the late Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad, the title of “Humanitarian Leader” in recognition of Kuwait’s substantial contributions to global humanitarian, charitable, and relief efforts, benefitting millions of recipients.
Throughout the last decade, Kuwait has organised various international donor conferences to support humanitarian needs worldwide, with a particular emphasis on Syria.
It hosted the first conference for Syrian humanitarian aid in January 2013, committing $300 million. The following year, it increased its pledge to Syrians to $500 million during another humanitarian conference. In March 2015, at a third conference, Kuwait once again donated $500 million for humanitarian efforts in Syria. Furthermore, at the fourth donors’ conference held in London in February 2016, Kuwait pledged an additional $300 million over three years.
Kuwait’s commitment to aiding Iraq is also notable, with a $176 million contribution during a donor conference in July 2016 and a $2 billion pledge for the reconstruction of cities freed from Dae’sh at a conference in February 2018, attended by around 70 humanitarian organisations and representatives from 70 countries, which garnered $30 billion in international commitments.
An expert in international relations commended Kuwait for its unwavering support of the Palestinian cause, acknowledging its role as a key advocate for Palestinian rights.
Kuwait’s efforts include significant financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and a $50 million contribution to the Palestinian Reform and Development Programme managed by the World Bank in late 2012.
Mediation and Diplomacy
Ali Khalifa, a Lebanese researcher and analyst, spotlighted Kuwait’s role as a mediator and impartial entity in resolving differences among various factions in regional and international disputes, enhancing its prestigious reputation.
Khalifa told Aletihad that the key to Kuwait’s success as a mediator is its internal stability, respected position in the Gulf and Arab world, distinguished diplomatic ties, economic influence, and neutral approach to conflicts.
“Kuwait’s commitment to its neutral stance, adherence to international laws, norms, and conventions, respect for the sovereignty of states, and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, are all factors that have helped it play a mediation role in many regional and international disputes and conflicts,” he said.
Kuwaiti mediation has succeeded in ending many regional and international conflicts and disputes, including the military conflict between the northern and southern parts of Yemen, which resulted in a peace agreement in 1972.
Moreover, it resolved the dispute between Oman and Yemen in 1980 by signing a declaration that contributed to reducing tensions between the two countries, leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two parties in November 1984.
Kuwaiti mediation also succeeded in resolving the conflict between Pakistan and the Bengal region in 1971 and ended the dispute between Turkey and Bulgaria that flared up between 1986 and 1989.
Khalifa emphasised that Kuwait’s diplomatic efforts in mediation have bolstered its esteemed status and political presence, demonstrating its dedication to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East amid various challenges.
