‘Kuwait prioritizes volunteerism to drive sustainable development’
Nasser Al-Sheikh, Director General of the Kuwait Youth Public Authority, emphasized Kuwait’s “pioneering" experience in volunteer work, which draws a significant number of volunteers, especially among the youth.”
• The Youth Council meeting produced several recommendations, including incorporating volunteer work into the humanitarian framework of member states and using the organization’s platform to promote volunteering as a social phenomenon that unlocks the potential of youth.
Nasser Al-Sheikh, Director General of the Kuwait Youth Public Authority, stated on Friday that Kuwait places significant emphasis on volunteer work due to its vital role in advancing sustainable development. He highlighted Kuwait’s ‘pioneering’ experience in this area, which attracts a large number of volunteers, particularly among the youth, according to Al Jarida newspaper.
This was stated during a phone call with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the occasion of Kuwait’s participation in the Youth Council meeting of the seventh session of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The two-day event, attended by a number of volunteer work leaders, including distinguished Kuwaiti volunteer initiative leaders, focused on various aspects of volunteerism.
Al-Sheikh explained that the meeting, attended by volunteers from 21 member countries, discussed volunteering in areas such as emergency response and crisis management. The conference featured volunteer activities and panels on the global impact of volunteering and its role in uniting communities.
He noted that the meeting produced several recommendations, including incorporating volunteer work into the humanitarian framework of member states and using the organization’s platform to promote volunteering as a social phenomenon that unlocks the potential of youth.
Al-Sheikh added that member states were encouraged to organize conferences, forums, workshops, and training programs on volunteering, as well as to develop innovative approaches through technology and digital systems. Emphasis was placed on volunteering in fields such as environmental protection, crisis management, health, and sports.
He also highlighted that the meeting encouraged member states to utilize the organization’s website to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise, share policies and strategies, and organize joint educational and training programs to enhance volunteers’ skills.
The importance of focusing on young volunteers was stressed, including providing a supportive environment for their leadership development, organizing competitions and awards, raising awareness about volunteer activities, and contributing to the vision for the United Nations’ 2026 Year of Volunteering.
Al-Sheikh praised the outstanding participation of Kuwaiti volunteers at the conference, particularly Dr. Yousef Al-Tandil, founder and head of the “Sahabat Amal Volunteering Team”, and Suleiman Al-Khudari, founder and head of the Kuwaiti volunteer response and rescue team, who shared their successful volunteer experiences.
He also expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti Embassy in Kazakhstan, led by Ambassador Dr. Omar Al-Kandari, for facilitating the participation of the Kuwaiti delegation in this Asian volunteer forum.”
