KUWAIT: Kuwait has witnessed an intensive diplomatic drive that has enabled it to expand its regional and international presence through the broadening of strategic partnerships, marked by the signing of a wide array of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) spanning diplomatic, economic, military, security, health, scientific research and artificial intelligence sectors. The agreements concluded in 2025 reflect Kuwait’s ambitious vision to consolidate its position as a key regional and international player, while advancing sustainable development across multiple fields.
These arrangements involved numerous countries and organizations worldwide, as well as leading global institutions. At the regional level, Kuwait has placed top priority on deepening ties with its Gulf neighbors by enhancing bilateral partnerships across diverse sectors. Relations with Saudi Arabia were strengthened through agreements in the financial and security domains, including cooperation between the ministries of finance and an MoU between Financial Intelligence Units to exchange and analyze information. The two countries also signed an agreement on competition protection to exchange expertise, conduct joint studies and provide training, alongside another accord granting Kuwaiti students seats in undergraduate and postgraduate programs at King Saud University in Riyadh.
This momentum was complemented by the signing of an agreement regulating the affairs of Kuwaiti pilgrims for the 1446 AH Hajj season, covering transportation, accommodation and housing services. Meanwhile, the outcomes of the Kuwaiti-Qatari Joint Higher Committee underscored the two countries’ determination to further expand their partnership, with the signing of three MoUs in industrial export development, standardization activities and social insurance, in addition to an executive program for cultural and artistic cooperation for 2025–26.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance also signed an agreement with its Qatari counterpart aimed at supporting financial and regional cooperation and enhancing economic integration among GCC states. With the United Arab Emirates, the strategic partnership broadened through the signing of eight MoUs covering land transport, road assets, industry, advanced technology, electricity, water and future energy. The agreements also addressed joint efforts in combating human trafficking, protecting shared data in security projects, and cooperation in oil and gas, investment promotion, healthcare and education.
Kuwait further strengthened Gulf cooperation by signing an MoU with Bahrain to enhance collaboration in the health sector, with the aim of improving service quality and advancing healthcare standards. Beyond the Gulf, Kuwait expanded its role across the wider Arab region. It enhanced diplomatic relations with Yemen through an MoU on bilateral consultations, and signed a military cooperation agreement with Egypt to unify efforts and strengthen coordination, alongside an MoU to boost cooperation in regional security and diplomatic capacity-building. Kuwait also concluded six agreements, MoUs and executive programs with Jordan, and an air transport regulation agreement with Tunisia.
In addition, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed a package of agreements to support humanitarian, relief and development efforts across the Arab world. Kuwait joined the Arab Customs Cooperation Agreement, highlighting the importance of close coordination among customs administrations and its positive impact on economic, trade and social sectors, while enhancing responsiveness to developments in regional and international trade.
On the global stage, Kuwait’s 2025 agreements map reflects notable strategic expansion, including four cooperation agreements and MoUs with the Republic of Türkiye in maritime transport, energy and direct investment. Kuwait also signed an MoU between its National Guard and France’s National Gendarmerie, covering coordination, joint cooperation, and the exchange of expertise and training in military and security fields. In parallel, Kuwait and France signed a declaration of intent on a strategic investment partnership for 2025–35, as well as another declaration to enhance cultural cooperation and mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The second round of strategic dialogue with the United Kingdom resulted in the signing of three key agreements, reaffirming the path of cooperation and reflecting shared aspirations. Kuwait also signed an agreement with the United States to enhance cooperation in border security, customs and the exchange of technical expertise, contributing to the development of operational mechanisms and improved inspection and monitoring procedures.
Relations with Uzbekistan were strengthened through four agreements covering amendments to air transport services, labor exchange in the private sector, smart city development and industrial cooperation. Diplomatic engagement further expanded through bilateral consultations and agreements with Nigeria, Yemen, Albania and Kyrgyzstan, in addition to MoUs establishing political consultations with Estonia and Lithuania, particularly in diplomatic training. — KUNA
Kuwait also reinforced its engagement with international organizations by signing the accession charter to the World Water Organization and concluding three agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These include the fourth Country Program Framework for technical cooperation for 2026–35, and two agreements re-designating the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) as an IAEA collaborating center until 2028, both for environmental radiation monitoring and combating marine pollution. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development also signed an MoU with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to establish a joint coordination framework to enhance development cooperation in developing countries.
KISR further signed an MoU with the World Health Organization’s Kuwait office to strengthen cooperation in research and development and support scientific studies in public health, science, technology and innovation. In line with economic diversification and digital transformation goals, Kuwait pursued targeted investments in technology and partnerships across Asia and Europe. These efforts were led by a strategic partnership with Microsoft to establish artificial intelligence data capabilities and a cloud computing Center of Excellence, as well as an MoU addendum with the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council focusing on artificial intelligence and financial technologies. Kuwait also signed agreements to encourage and protect direct investment with Hong Kong and Hungary, in addition to a framework agreement on renewable energy cooperation with China.
The country also established a strategic partnership with WEX Europe to launch the joint fuel card “CartissimaQ8 WEX” in the Italian market, marking a significant step toward expanding global presence and adopting innovative, sustainable energy solutions. The Capital Markets Authority signed an MoU with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission to exchange information and provide assistance in investigations, enhancing regulatory effectiveness.
In the financial and aviation sectors, the Kuwait Academy of Financial Markets signed an MoU with Harvard University’s International Financial Systems Program to enhance the competencies of financial market practitioners. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation concluded an agreement with Mongolia to regulate air transport between the two countries, setting a legal framework for airline operations, safety and security. Kuwait and Austria also signed a protocol amending their agreement on avoiding double taxation and preventing financial evasion, aimed at strengthening financial transparency through effective exchange of tax information.
Kuwait further invested in partnerships focused on human capital development and improving service quality in health and education. This included MoUs with France’s Gustave Roussy Hospital and the WHO office in Kuwait to enhance healthcare quality and support specialized public health research. Abdullah Al-Salem University also signed a cooperation agreement with King’s College London to establish the university’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences, reinforcing Kuwait’s commitment to advancing higher education and medical training. —KUNA
