Kuwait’s 2025 partnerships reflect ambitious development, strategic shift
From the Arabian Gulf to the world: Kuwait expands strategic alliances across key sectors in 2025 in what is seen as a ‘Year of Diplomacy’ and ‘Growth’
In 2025, the State of Kuwait strengthened its regional and international standing through a wide network of partnerships and agreements signed with countries, global institutions, and international organizations across multiple sectors.
These agreements underscored Kuwait’s ambitious vision to reinforce its pivotal role on the global stage while advancing sustainable development, economic diversification, and institutional cooperation.
Throughout the year, Kuwait expanded its strategic partnership base by concluding a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding covering diplomatic, economic, military, security, health, scientific research, artificial intelligence, and energy fields. This expansion coincided with heightened diplomatic and political engagement at both regional and international levels.
Deepening Gulf Partnerships
Kuwait continued to prioritize its strategic depth within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), strengthening bilateral relations with fellow member states across key sectors.
With the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, cooperation was reinforced through financial and security agreements, including a pact between the ministries of finance and a memorandum of understanding between the Financial Intelligence Units of both countries to enhance information exchange and analysis. Additional agreements covered competition protection, academic cooperation with King Saud University, and the organization of Kuwaiti pilgrims’ affairs for the 1446 AH Hajj season.
Kuwaiti-Qatari relations also witnessed notable progress following the outcomes of the Joint Higher Committee meetings, which resulted in three memoranda of understanding in industrial export development, standardization, and social insurance, alongside an executive program for cultural and artistic cooperation for 2025–2026. A financial cooperation agreement between the two ministries of finance further supported regional economic integration.
With the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait signed eight memoranda of understanding spanning land transport, industry, advanced technology, electricity, water, future energy, oil and gas, health, education, investment promotion, and joint security cooperation, including combating human trafficking and protecting shared data.
Cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain was strengthened through a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing collaboration in the health sector and improving service quality and healthcare standards.
Arab Cooperation and Regional Commitment
Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to Arab solidarity by strengthening relations with several Arab countries. Agreements included a memorandum of understanding with Yemen on bilateral consultations, a military cooperation agreement with Egypt to enhance coordination and regional security, and multiple agreements and executive programs with Jordan across various sectors. Kuwait also signed an air transport regulation agreement with Tunisia.
In addition, Kuwait joined the Arab Customs Cooperation Agreement, recognizing the importance of coordinated customs frameworks in supporting economic, commercial, and social development across the Arab world.
Expanding Global Engagement
On the international front, Kuwait achieved significant progress in diversifying its strategic partnerships. Agreements with Türkiye covered maritime transport, energy, and direct investment, while cooperation with France included a memorandum between the National Guard and the French Gendarmerie, a declaration of intent on investment cooperation for 2025–2035, and cultural collaboration ahead of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
Strategic dialogue with the United Kingdom resulted in the signing of three key agreements, while cooperation with the United States focused on border security, customs coordination, and technical expertise exchange.
Kuwait also strengthened ties with Uzbekistan through four agreements covering air transport, labor exchange, smart city development, and industrial cooperation. Diplomatic consultations were expanded with countries including Nigeria, Albania, Kyrgyzstan, Estonia, and Lithuania, enhancing diplomatic training and political coordination.
Role in International Organizations
Kuwait enhanced its engagement with international organizations by acceding to the World Water Organization and signing three agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including the Fourth Framework Plan for Technical Cooperation (2026–2035). The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research was redesignated as a regional collaborating center for radiation monitoring and marine pollution control.
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to strengthen development cooperation in developing countries. Additional agreements with the World Health Organization aimed to support research, innovation, and public health initiatives.
Technology, Investment, and Human Capital
As part of its economic diversification and digital transformation strategy, Kuwait entered into strategic partnerships in technology and artificial intelligence, including an agreement with Microsoft to establish AI data infrastructure and a cloud computing center of excellence. Further cooperation with Hong Kong focused on financial technologies and AI.
Investment protection agreements were concluded with several countries, alongside a renewable energy cooperation framework with China. Kuwait also expanded its global footprint in the energy sector through a strategic partnership with WEX European Services to launch a joint fuel card in the Italian market.
In the financial sector, the Capital Markets Authority signed cooperation agreements with international counterparts to enhance regulatory efficiency and market oversight, while academic partnerships—such as Abdullah Al-Salem University’s agreement with King’s College London—supported the development of human capital in health and education.
Collectively, these partnerships reflect Kuwait’s forward-looking approach to diplomacy, development, and global cooperation, reinforcing its role as a trusted regional and international partner.
