First initiative under recent MoU targets disability inclusion, substance abuse prevention locally
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has finalized Sunday a $5 million grant agreement with several United Nations agencies to advance inclusive employment and social rehabilitation within Kuwait. This agreement marks the first concrete initiative resulting from a newly established strategic framework between the fund and the UN.
It specifically targets the socioeconomic integration of individuals with disabilities by improving their access to specialized education, entrepreneurship and digital tools. The initiative also allocates resources toward substance abuse prevention.
The grant follows the signing of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last week aimed at creating a framework for technical cooperation and bilateral work on community projects. Waleed Al-Bahar, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund, emphasized that this partnership embodies the fund’s commitment to comprehensive development and the reconstruction of human capital within the Kuwaiti labor market.
Ghada Al-Tahir, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, noted that the agreement is a “testimony of confidence” in multilateralism and the UN’s ability to drive sustainable change.
How the funding will be used
The $5 million funding will be distributed among four key international organizations: The International Labour Organization (ILO), UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The program will utilize modern tools such as digital analysis and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support evidence-based planning and the formulation of effective policies to help integrating people with disabilities into society. Beyond employment, the initiative addresses critical social health issues. The program will support national efforts in preventing substance abuse and developing specialized treatment and rehabilitation services. These efforts aim to empower recovered individuals to effectively reintegrate into society within a supportive and sustainable environment.
Framework for future cooperation
The broader MoU signed between the two parties allows for regular consultations to coordinate activities and events. The memorandum includes the exchange of publications and studies conducted by either party, as well as participation in joint seminars, and workshops on topics of mutual interest.
According to the Kuwait Fund, this partnership is an “exceptional addition” to its long history of cooperation with the United Nations. While the fund is traditionally known for its international development work, this agreement highlights a dedicated effort to harness global expertise for domestic community development and the empowerment of specific groups within Kuwait, the two parties said. — Agencies
