Kuwait faces potential inclusion on FATF’s “Grey List”

• A meeting was held between concerned authorities for correcting two procedures related to Kuwaiti charitable work before the expected international review in October 2025.

• The Affairs Ministry indicated about exerting utmost efforts and racing against time to overcome the current situation and avoid entering the grey area.

Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, specifically warned about the phase of “enhanced supervision” that the country is currently witnessing by international financial organizations referring to the “Financial Action Task Force” (FATF) on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (MENAFATF).

She stated that it means “we are on the verge of entering the grey area that not only negatively affects Kuwait’s reputation, but also its economy, in addition to a number of other negative repercussions”.

On a concrete measure, during a meeting held yesterday with representatives of 64 registered charitable societies and associations at the Ministries Complex, Al-Huwailah called for “correcting two procedures related to Kuwaiti charitable work before the expected international review set for October 2025”.

Al-Huwailah categorically noted that the current precautionary measures taken by state agencies in general and “Affairs” in particular, aim primarily to overcome this phase in order to reach safety, “as we are exerting our utmost efforts and racing against time to overcome the current situation and avoid entering the grey area”.

Detailing further yesterday, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, held a lengthy meeting, which lasted for about two hours with representatives of 64 registered charitable societies and associations, in the “Al-Durra” Hall in the Ministries Complex.

During the meeting, she stressed that Kuwait’s evaluation by international financial organizations, primarily referring to the “International Financial Action Task Force” on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism “MENAFATF” is directly linked to the work, activities and projects carried out by charitable organizations in the country.

Moreover, in response to inquiries from representatives of charitable organizations, Al-Huwailah said that the phase of “enhanced oversight that the country is currently witnessing from these organizations means that we are on the verge of entering the grey area.”

She stressed further that “this will negatively affect not only the country’s reputation, but also its economy, in addition to a number of other negative repercussions” highlighting the need to correct two procedures related to Kuwaiti charitable work before the upcoming international review.

Al-Huwailah pointed out that “the current precautionary measures taken by state agencies in general, and the Ministry of Social Affairs in particular, aim primarily to overcome this stage of enhanced monitoring, in order to reach safety, especially since the next international assessment of Kuwait is set for October 2025, so we are doing our utmost and racing against time to overcome the current situation and not enter the gray area.”

Political and Charitable Work

Al-Huwailah stressed that “the ministry has good intentions and expectations towards those in charge of charitable work, but internationally, we are required to provide many clarifications regarding the work, activities and projects of charitable organizations”.

She shared her concern further that “unfortunately, current global events have linked political work to charitable work, so the measures taken by the state in general and the Ministry in particular aim to protect charitable entities and prevent Kuwait from falling into any international embarrassment”.

Explaining emphatically, Al-Huwailah said that “the ministry’s question about some matters related to charitable projects, such as the names of beneficiaries in some affected countries, is not to restrict charitable work, but rather it is a proactive measure in the event that we are directed to any questions from international financial organizations in this regard”.

Adding further, Al-Huwailah stated that “we are keen to meet with representatives of all recognized charitable organizations, to exchange ideas and opinions on charitable work, and also to identify the difficulties and obstacles facing it and ultimately try to overcome them”.

Similarly, she said “we are also keen to advance charitable institutions by applying the highest levels of transparency and governance in work, to preserve and protect them, especially since Kuwaiti charitable work has a pioneering role through its associations and charities that have reached all parts of the world from one end to the other,” stressing the need to develop this work to keep pace with current global changes, which will positively reflect on Kuwait’s evaluation in this regard.

Travel Ban

About a recent circular, Al-Huwailah referred to it mentioning, which Al-Jarida exclusively published two days ago, banning the travel of charitable organizations’ delegates on relief trips to countries that are exposed to unstable security and political conditions, and thus they were removed from the “safe traveler” category in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ electronic system for humanitarian work.

She stressed that “the goal of this is to protect those in charge of charitable work and prevent them from being exposed to any harm, calling on representatives of charitable organizations to cooperate widely with the Ministry in the present time, in order to overcome the issue of international evaluation”.

Whereas, Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, on his part highlighted that, “The Ministry is keen on serious cooperation with all Kuwaiti charitable organizations to achieve the supreme goal of charitable work that distinguishes this good land”.

Al-Ajmi also shared that “all leaders and officials of the Ministry are fully convinced of the tremendous and strenuous efforts made by those in charge of this work, which has a special nature and had a very positive impact on spreading Kuwait’s reputation regionally and internationally, and its distinction in charitable and humanitarian work”.