Government reforms in 2025 redefine governance, development and citizenship policies

The year 2025 marked a period of intensive government action, reflecting a clear political determination to move the country toward a more cohesive and organized phase.

This momentum was driven by a broad package of legislative and regulatory reforms that reshaped government performance, reinforced the path of economic and developmental transformation, and strengthened the role of the state as an effective institution capable of addressing challenges and building a sustainable future grounded in governance, efficiency and community partnership.

This direction was reflected in the issuance of more than 100 Cabinet decisions aimed at addressing key national issues, launching a new phase of structural and radical reforms, advancing sustainable economic transformation, encouraging developmental openness, and expanding the country’s base of strategic partnerships, reports Al-Rai daily.

Legislative package

Legislation formed a central pillar of the government’s agenda throughout the year, with the adoption of a comprehensive package of draft decree-laws that served as a multi-dimensional engine for development, leaving a positive impact on both the economic and social landscapes in line with the objectives of the national sustainable vision.

Legal reforms included wide-ranging amendments to the Penal Code and procedural laws, criminal trials, civil and commercial pleadings, court fees, the Experts Law, the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha) Law, as well as documentation and electronic transactions laws.

Economic legislation featured prominently, including a decree-law on finance and liquidity, amendments to the bankruptcy law, and a decree-law regulating digital trade, establishing an integrated legal framework that balances economic freedom with regulatory oversight.

Social and humanitarian legislation included amendments to the Public Assistance Law and the Child Rights Law, in addition to the issuance of the Missing Persons Protection Law. In the field of crime prevention, the Cabinet approved key laws to combat drugs and psychotropic substances, address international crimes, and strengthen international judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

Civil aviation and structural reforms

To keep pace with global developments, the Cabinet approved several structural reforms and new laws, most notably the Civil Aviation Law, a core requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization and a key determinant for airport and air navigation facility licensing. The Council also approved the abolition of the General Authority for Roads and Land Transport, transferring responsibility for railway projects to the Ministry of Public Works.

A draft decree establishing a unified registration and admission authority for military and security agencies was also approved, with the aim of standardizing recruitment procedures and ensuring optimal distribution of applicants according to agency needs and individual preferences.

Nationality issues

Government decisions in 2025 reflected a strategic focus on strengthening national identity and citizenship governance. The Cabinet adopted a series of minutes from the Supreme Committee for Citizenship Investigation and approved the establishment of a Grievances Committee for cases involving the withdrawal or revocation of Kuwaiti nationality.

At the same time, the government adopted humanitarian measures to mitigate the impact on affected groups, particularly those whose citizenship was withdrawn under Article Five, Paragraph One (distinguished services), or Article Eight (foreign wives of Kuwaitis) of the Nationality Law.

To preserve financial stability and legal rights, decisions allowed individuals and companies owned by those whose citizenship was withdrawn to continue trading, buying and selling securities, and to repay loans obtained from the National Fund for the Care and Development of Small and Medium Enterprises under existing contractual terms.

These categories, except for obtaining new loans, also retained benefits and incentives granted under Law No. 98 of 2013 and its amendments.

On the social front, and in protection of family stability, the Cabinet approved proposals by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare to preserve certain rights and privileges for those affected under Article Eight.

Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and development plans

In the economic and developmental sphere, the Cabinet approved the Chinese government’s nomination, based on the memorandum of understanding between the two countries, to proceed with completing a direct contract for the implementation, management and operation of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project in all its phases.

The Council also approved the 2025–2026 annual development plan, which includes nine programs, 134 projects, 36 targeted policies and 38 legislative requirements.

In addition, it endorsed the draft general budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, covering 90 new projects across ministries and affiliated entities, as well as budget linkage decree-laws and the final accounts for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

Specialized committees

Several specialized committees and working groups were formed to follow up on key files. These included an investigation committee to examine observations cited in reports by the Government Performance Monitoring Agency and the State Audit Bureau concerning the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources, and a ministerial committee to review decisions related to the withdrawal and cancellation of industrial, service and craft licenses.

A working group comprising relevant government and regulatory bodies was also established to study approvals related to the Kuwait International Airport (T2) project, with the aim of accelerating implementation.

External relations and oversight

Alongside domestic reforms, Kuwait strengthened its international presence by concluding dozens of agreements and memoranda of understanding in 2025, reflecting an ambition to expand strategic partnerships and reinforce international openness in support of Kuwait Vision 2035.

During the year, the Cabinet referred the reports of the Financial Controllers’ Offices for the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 fiscal years to the Government Performance Monitoring Agency, and forwarded the annual report on public-private partnership projects to the Supreme Committee for Partnership Projects.

Administrative decisions and community work

The government approved the formation of the six governorate councils, draft decrees promoting members of the Fatwa and Legislation Department, and a decree-law amending Article 45 of the Civil Service System to allow special leave for accompanying patients receiving treatment abroad.

In the area of community partnership, the Cabinet approved a wide range of donations supporting sustainable development.

These included major contributions to the health sector, such as the construction of heart disease centers, health centers, kidney dialysis units, hospital renovations and rehabilitation projects.

Other donations supported green urban initiatives, including landscaping, bridge beautification and tree planting, as well as heritage projects such as the restoration of the old Ahmadi market and cinema under the supervision of the Kuwait Oil Company.