UK Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East, the Rt Hon Amanda Milling MP made her first visit to Kuwait this week (16-17 May). As part of a wider programme, the visit marked the 18th Ministerial meeting of the Joint Steering Group – the UK and Kuwait bilateral framework.
Minister Milling met with His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah and discussed the distinguished bilateral relations linking the two countries and the frameworks for their promotion and development in various fields, and the latest developments on the regional and international arenas.
On Monday 16th May, the Minister met with her counterpart H.E. Deputy Foreign Minister Majdi Al-Dhafiri to sign the 18th Joint Steering Group Action Plan. Following the signing of a new action plan, the United Kingdom and Kuwait will increase co-operation on cyber-security, trade, education, and development.
The Ministers welcomed the restart of the joint military training and education programme. More widely on education, Minister Milling expressed her delight at the increasing numbers of Kuwaitis that are selecting UK universities to continue their education – more than 8000 are currently studying in the UK.
During the visit, Minister Milling met with the Speaker of the National Assembly, H.E. Marzouq Al-Ghanim. The two sides discussed a wide range of topics including bilateral relations and means of further enhancing cooperation in several fields.
The Minister also met with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, at the Ministry of Interior. The two ministers discussed means of increasing bilateral cooperation in the field of security, including cyber security.
Minister Milling also met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Council of Ministers Affairs H.E. Dr Mohammad Abdullatif Al-Faris, and discussed bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. Minister Milling was briefed on Kuwait’s clean energy projects, and discussed how the UK can support Kuwait in implementing those projects.
The Minister also met with the Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Mr Marwan Al-Ghanim to discuss the increasing collaboration between the UK and Kuwait on both development and humanitarian assistance.
During the visit, the Minister also participated in a gender workshop focused on female empowerment in politics and business. Coinciding with Kuwait Women’s Day, the Minister met with gender activists and women aspiring to be future leaders.