People, Purpose, and Progress: Unleashing Kuwait’s Vision 2035
Kuwait Vision 2035 places people at the center of national transformation. By investing in talent, strengthening communication, and engaging communities, Kuwait can build a future that is innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. This op-ed highlights how talent development, public-private collaboration, and civic participation together form the foundation of a purpose-driven national strategy. A strategy where every citizen has a role in shaping the country’s progress.
By Sarah Al Sabah
Special to The Times Kuwait
Kuwait Vision 2035 is more than an economic plan. It is a blueprint for a thriving future anchored in people and purpose. Launched in 2017, the vision aims to transform Kuwait into a diversified, sustainable economy and regional hub led by a dynamic private sector.
True national development does not mean only infrastructure or GDP growth. It is about investing in Kuwait’s people and harnessing their potential. The vision calls for a society that mobilizes youth, women, civil society, and the private sector to remain future-ready.
At its core are seven pillars focused on economic diversification, good governance, sustainability, and human capital. Reducing reliance on oil, modernizing public services, and promoting innovation are vital steps, but so are preserving social values and equality.
Empowering people through education and opportunity is just as essential as building new infrastructure. This article explores how talent development, strategic communication, and community engagement together form the foundation of Kuwait Vision. Investing in talent, building strong communication systems, and fostering inclusive communities will unlock Kuwait’s full potential.
Empowering Talent: Kuwait’s greatest resource is its people. Nearly 60 percent of the population is under 25. A generation eager to lead change. Youth empowerment is not a slogan; it is a national strategy. The Creative Human Capital pillar of the vision focuses on developing young talent and increasing women’s participation in the workforce. Education reform is central to this effort. Curricula are being updated to strengthen science, technology, and critical thinking. Vocational and leadership programs are helping students bridge classroom knowledge with real-world experience.
Organizations such as LOYAC and INJAZ Kuwait have been instrumental in nurturing civic responsibility and entrepreneurship. Their programs prepare youth to lead community projects and create businesses that merge purpose with innovation.
Empowering talent also means including youth in decision-making. Platforms like the Kuwait Youth Council ensure young people contribute ideas to national policy and reform. When youth are treated as partners, their creativity becomes a national asset.
Strategic Communication: If talent is the engine of Vision 2035, communication is its compass. For reforms to succeed, citizens must understand, trust, and engage with them. Transparent communication turns plans into shared progress.
Kuwait’s strong digital infrastructure supports this. With extensive connectivity, online services, and digital platforms, citizens can access information and participate in dialogue more easily than ever. Communication is no longer one-way; it is a partnership between institutions and the public. Public outreach campaigns, townhall meetings, and youth forums have helped increase awareness and trust. When citizens see tangible results, such as faster services, cleaner spaces, or new jobs, they see themselves as part of the vision.
An informed society is an empowered one. Communication must continue to bridge government, business, and community voices, aligning them around a shared goal: building a prosperous and inclusive Kuwait.
Engaged Communities: Vision 2035 will be realized not only through ministries and boardrooms but through communities. Active citizenship and volunteerism are the heartbeat of national progress. With benefits comes responsibility. As a society a key value to nurture is a sense of deep citizen responsibility towards their country. A country that is the source of their security and identity.
Across Kuwait, civil society and youth groups are leading environmental, educational, and social initiatives. Projects such as AlManakh, founded by young environmentalists, promote climate awareness and sustainable living. Tree-planting, recycling, and clean-up drives show how small actions can create national impact.
The government has supported these efforts by reforming laws that strengthen transparency in charities and NGOs. As people see measurable results from community initiatives, they are more likely to join.
Civic participation also builds unity. When people from different generations collaborate, they strengthen trust and renew Kuwait’s long tradition of social solidarity. Vision 2035 thrives on this collective spirit; a model of inclusive, citizen-driven sustainability.
Partnership for Progress: Delivering Kuwait Vision requires cooperation among all sectors. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are key to creating value and diversifying the economy. When government and business collaborate, they generate innovation, jobs, and shared growth.
Companies like Zain and the National Bank of Kuwait are investing in digital innovation and youth development. These initiatives align business success with national progress. Transparent frameworks and fair governance further attract private investment and foster confidence. Such partnerships show that progress is not achieved by one sector alone. Progress is built through shared accountability and shared ambition.
A Call to Action: Building the Future Together: Kuwait Vision 2035 is not a distant aspiration. Kuwait Vision is a responsibility we all share. Policymakers must continue investing in education, innovation, and opportunity. Businesses must drive creativity with purpose and integrity. Communities must stay engaged and united in shaping solutions.
Every action counts. From mentoring a student, launching a start-up to volunteering in a local initiative. Together, these efforts shape the Kuwait of tomorrow.
Kuwait Vision’s success depends on our collective will to act now. By empowering people, communicating with clarity, and strengthening community, Kuwait can build a future that reflects its values and fulfills its promise: a nation driven by purpose, powered by its people, and ready for the world.
A Kuwait built by our people, for our people, and with our people.
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Sarah F. Al Sabah, a strategic development professional and contributor to The Times Kuwait. She currently leads initiatives supporting Kuwait’s media and policy transformation aligned with Vision 2035. Her work focuses on human-capital development, communication strategy, and sustainable national growth across the public and private sectors.
