Kuwait celebrated its 60th anniversary of National Day and 30th anniversary of Liberation
Day on 25 and 26 February respectively. Celebrations of the two commemorative days were the first being held under the new leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. During the two-day national celebrations, Kuwait also fondly recalled the great efforts exerted by the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in service of the country, as well as his remarkable leadership in humanitarian and reconciliation efforts regionally, in the Arab world, and on the wider international stage.
National and Liberation Day celebrations that are usually held each year with great fervor and enthusiasm across the country, was a muted affair this year, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Though many streets, buildings, and main thoroughfares were festooned with flags and lights and other colorful decorations, the atmosphere was decidedly more somber this year. The government had also cancelled all official celebrations marking the commemorative days this year, as a precautionary health measure.
Despite the occasional instances of people violating health and safety regulations by attending social gatherings and not maintaining mandatory health protocols and procedures, by and large all segments of society have been cooperating and supporting the authorities in their attempt to contain and curtail the pandemic.
Kuwait had celebrated the first national day on 19 June, 1962, organizing a huge military parade as the then Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah raised the National Flag of independent Kuwait. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Abdullah promised that Kuwait and its people would unite as one and strive to build a great future for their new country based on the principles of democracy and social justice and equality for all its people. He also ordered the formation of a constitutional council to draft a new constitution for the country.
In November 1962, the Constitution of Kuwait came into effect with Sheikh Abdullah approving and putting his signature on the constitution drafted by the council, which also established a National Assembly. The first legislative elections were held on 23 January, 1963 with 50 legislators being elected by citizens to represent them in parliament.
Over the years since its independence, Kuwait has pursued a foreign policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and peaceful resolution of conflicts through discussions and dialogue in order to achieve global peace and prosperity. Kuwait also built strong relations with the Arab and Muslim Worlds, and exerted great efforts in support the work of the GCC, Arab League and the United Nations. The country’s foreign policy also focused on cooperation and coordination with regional and international organizations to support humanitarian efforts around the world. Kuwait’s humanitarian efforts were recognized by the United Nations in September 2014, by granting the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad the title of ‘Humanitarian Leader’ and heralding Kuwait as a ’Humanitarian Center’.