‘Kuwait’s land holds great promise as new discoveries reinforce energy optimism’
Support for Kuwaiti youth in the oil and renewable energy sectors and empowering young professionals is not merely a slogan but a national priority -- Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi
Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi affirmed that the recent discoveries announced by the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) have strengthened confidence in the nation’s natural potential, describing them as a source of optimism for the country’s energy future.
He noted that new studies confirmed the presence of promising deposits in previously unexplored areas, reinforcing Kuwait’s long-term strategy to boost energy production.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 8th Youth Energy Forum and the World Petroleum Council’s Annual Energy Meeting 2025, Al-Roumi said the discoveries demonstrate that “Kuwait’s land is rich with goodness,” and expressed optimism for further onshore discoveries. He stated that investment in recent gas exploration projects remains under study, with the possibility of involving international companies to enhance expertise and efficiency in this field.
The Minister emphasized that these discoveries support Kuwait’s Oil Strategy 2035, which aims to raise production capacity to four million barrels per day. He noted that Kuwait is steadily progressing toward this goal, highlighting that the country’s ongoing investments and discoveries affirm its position as a reliable and forward-looking player in global energy markets.
Al-Roumi also underlined the government’s unwavering support for Kuwaiti youth in the oil and renewable energy sectors, stressing empowering young professionals is not merely a slogan but a national priority. He revealed that the Ministry of Oil is actively developing programs to identify, train, and promote talented youth, including plans to send them to international institutions for specialized training lasting up to one year.
He pointed to Kuwait Oil Company’s launch of the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center in partnership with Microsoft as a major step in digital transformation. This initiative, he said, reflects Kuwait’s vision for smart, sustainable operations and strengthens research and development efforts in exploration, production, and environmental technologies.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil Sheikh Nimr Al-Sabah emphasized that hosting the international forum in Kuwait highlights the country’s commitment to empowering its national cadres and supporting youth engagement in global energy dialogue.
He reiterated that the ministry’s strategic vision, “National cadres are the oil of the future,” guides all efforts to prepare young Kuwaitis for leadership roles and ensure they contribute meaningfully to global energy developments.
International energy leaders, including OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al-Ghais, International Energy Forum Secretary General Jassim Al-Shirawi, and World Petroleum Council President Pedro Miras, echoed Kuwait’s vision.
They highlighted the crucial role of youth in shaping a sustainable, low-carbon energy future, emphasizing that human capital development, innovation, and global cooperation are the true cornerstones of the industry’s success. Al-Roumi concluded that Kuwait believes the future of energy will be built through genuine global partnerships rooted in innovation, sustainability, and shared responsibility.
