Connect with us

Latest News

ASEAN chief hails Kuwait ties, praises Vision 2035

Published

on

KUALA LUMPUR: Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr Kao Kim Hourn, on Sunday underscored the growing importance of bilateral relations between ASEAN member states and Kuwait, commending the Gulf country’s development blueprint, Kuwait Vision 2035. In remarks to KUNA on the sidelines of preparations for the upcoming ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN-GCC-China Trilateral Summits, Dr Hourn described Kuwait’s engagement with ASEAN as a vital pillar in the evolving partnership between the two regional blocs.

He particularly lauded Kuwait’s active role in high-level regional dialogues and its forward-looking vision for sustainable development. Dr Hourn welcomed the anticipated participation of His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who will represent His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at the summits scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on May 26–27. The Crown Prince is expected to lead the Kuwaiti delegation as part of the country’s current chairmanship of the 45th session of the GCC Supreme Council.

He noted the timing of Kuwait’s attendance as highly significant, citing it as a testament to the Gulf leadership’s commitment to sustaining the momentum initiated at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit held in Riyadh in 2023. That landmark event, which gathered leaders from all ASEAN and GCC member states, was widely regarded as a breakthrough in interregional cooperation. Highlighting Kuwait’s distinguished role in humanitarian affairs, Dr Hourn pointed to the country’s potential contributions to ASEAN’s ongoing efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar. Given Kuwait’s global standing as a humanitarian leader, he expressed confidence in its capacity to assist in non-political dimensions of the issue.

KUALA LUMPUR: People take photos in front of the logo of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 25, 2025. – AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: People take photos in front of the logo of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 25, 2025. – AFP

On the economic front, Dr Hourn reported steady progress in the ASEAN-GCC Economic Cooperation Agreement. He revealed that a cooperation framework, adopted by both sides’ leaders two years ago, has culminated in the recent completion of a preliminary feasibility study. This study will soon be shared with member states for review, paving the way for the identification of joint initiatives. While noting that it remains premature to finalize a free trade agreement, Dr Hourn described current developments as promising. He explained that ASEAN is presently focused on deepening economic integration among its own members while also nurturing bilateral partnerships with key external stakeholders, including the GCC.

Turning to ASEAN’s long-term strategic outlook, Dr Hourn elaborated on the association’s Vision 2045, which is structured around four core pillars: political-security cooperation, economic integration, socio-cultural community development and enhanced regional connectivity under the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC 2025). He described the vision as a comprehensive roadmap designed to navigate future regional challenges and transformations.

Dr Hourn further emphasized ASEAN’s commitment to its founding principles and values, affirming that the upcoming summits would serve to reinforce these tenets. ASEAN continues to engage with major global partners — among them China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia — while maintaining an active role in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a multilateral trade agreement encompassing 15 countries. He concluded by expressing optimism that the upcoming engagements in Kuala Lumpur will deepen mutual understanding and chart new avenues for ASEAN-GCC cooperation across strategic, economic, and humanitarian domains. — KUNA

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

IICO launches program in cooperation with PAMA

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: The International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) has launched its annual summer training program in cooperation with the Public Authority for Minors Affairs (PAMA), under which 20 students sponsored by the authority will be received during July and August. Director of the Volunteer Work Department at IICO, Khaled Al-Shuaib, said in a statement to KUNA that the initiative aims to introduce the participating students to the principles of charitable work, while enhancing their practical capabilities and preparing them to play a future role in volunteerism and humanitarian efforts.

Al-Shuaib noted that the program reflects ongoing cooperation between IICO and PAMA in executing charitable projects that support marginalized groups and improve their quality of life, both locally and internationally. Among these initiatives, he said, is a partnership agreement to implement programs that support people with disabilities, and launch joint projects in areas such as social care and education.

He explained that the summer training is designed to instill a sense of social responsibility in youth by nurturing their talents and equipping them with vital skills in communication, teamwork and volunteer service. The initiative also falls in line with IICO’s strategic vision to strengthen the volunteer capacities of future generations and promote a culture of giving and national belonging.

Al-Shuaib pointed out that IICO attaches great importance to volunteerism through its network of volunteer teams. He said more than 731 volunteers participated in 40 teams last year, serving over 25,000 beneficiaries across Kuwait. He added that the IICO has previously implemented several charitable projects in cooperation with PAMA, including a recent initiative in the Republic of Tajikistan. The organization established a primary and preparatory school, a fully equipped medical center, an artesian water well with a storage tank and operating system, and a water distribution network. — KUNA

Continue Reading

Latest News

Kuwait and UK bolster ties

Published

on

By

Crown Prince, PM meet UK FM • Three agreements signed • Close cooperation hailed

KUWAIT: HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace on Sunday UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Lammy during his official visit to Kuwait. The meeting was attended by Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Affairs Sadeq Marafi, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UK Bader Al-Munaikh and UK Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis.

HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also received Lammy. During the meeting, both sides touched on enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries. The meeting was attended by Head of the Prime Minister’s Office Abdulaziz Al-Dakheel, Marafi, Al-Munaikh and Lewis.

On Saturday, Al-Yahya received Lammy and his accompanying delegation. The visit comes to bolster bilateral relations between the two countries and support ways to boost cooperation. The latest round of strategic talks between Kuwait and Britain produced a trio of agreements aiming to propel bilateral relations to greater levels, the foreign ministry said on Sunday, praising the longevity and proximity of these ties.

The talks, presided over by Al-Yahya and Lammy, come some 126 years after diplomatic relations began in earnest, while trade ties date back more than 250 years, according to a foreign ministry statement. The history of relations between Kuwait and London is dotted with instances of camaraderie and cultural exchange, in addition to productive cooperation across fields ranging from healthcare to education, the statement cited the Kuwaiti top diplomat as saying, highlighting Britain’s commitment to protect Kuwait’s security.

On bilateral relations, the British foreign secretary said that London is proud of the “strategic partnership” linking the two nations, which continues to make significant headway across multiple fields, added the statement. The talks also covered a wide array of pressing matters of mutual concern, while the Kuwaiti and British foreign ministers exchanged their views on ongoing developments around the region and beyond, agreeing that the deals signed serve the collective interests of both nations, it said. The next round of talks is slated to take place in London next year, the statement said.

Lammy said the UK is working to strengthen cooperation with Kuwait in trade, investment and business, in addition to security and defense, particularly in light of the current challenging global security environment, especially in the Middle East. In an exclusive statement to KUNA on Sunday at the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute in Kuwait, the British secretary emphasized the historic and robust relationship between the UK and Kuwait. He pointed out that the two countries enjoy a “deep close friendship” that goes back more than a century.

He added that the bilateral relationship is built on strong people-to-people and cultural ties, as well as a solid partnership in defense and security that dates back to 1899, when official relations were established and laid the foundation for long-term cooperation and friendship. Lammy highlighted the strong educational and cultural links between the two nations, stressing that the presence of 10,000 Kuwaiti students in UK universities forms a strong basis for the future of the relationship.

Lammy explained that his visit falls within the framework of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, which aims to outline the next phase of bilateral cooperation. He noted the UK’s strong economic standing in Europe and Kuwait’s prominent role in the Gulf and the Middle East, saying that this partnership enables both nations to achieve significant progress together. He also noted that the visit comes at a time of serious geopolitical challenges and humanitarian suffering around the world.

Lammy emphasized both countries’ commitment to working together to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza, underlining their joint efforts to push for a ceasefire and continued collaboration on humanitarian matters. Lammy added that UK-Kuwait cooperation also contributes to addressing other global crises in countries such as Sudan, Somalia and Yemen, where diseases and humanitarian emergencies are widespread.

Lammy expressed his satisfaction with the signing of memoranda of understanding, which unify resources and development visions, not only for the benefit of both countries, but also for children, women and all those suffering worldwide. He also pointed out that the UK has recently launched a new industrial strategy that outlines the government’s investment priorities, noting that there are promising opportunities for cooperation with Kuwait in sectors such as defense, space, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, life sciences and sustainable and renewable energy, all of which can contribute significantly to both economies. – KUNA

Continue Reading

Latest News

KFAED, UK sign MoUs to assist Sudan, Somalia

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to deliver joint emergency humanitarian aid to conflict-affected populations in Sudan and Somalia. In a statement to KUNA on Sunday, KFAED announced that both sides will jointly provide a humanitarian grant totaling $10 million—$5 million from each party—to support the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Sudan.

The assistance will help maintain access to essential services including healthcare, nutrition, water, sanitation, and child protection for vulnerable populations in the country. An additional grant of $5 million ($2.5 million from each side) will be allocated to finance a joint project supporting the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Somalia, the Fund added.

Acting Director General of KFAED Waleed Al-Bahar said the agreements underscore the Fund’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships in humanitarian relief, development, and peacebuilding. He emphasized that this renewed cooperation with the UK will facilitate the exchange of expertise and unify efforts to assist the most vulnerable communities in Sudan and Somalia, while reinforcing Kuwait’s leading humanitarian role regionally and globally.

Mamadou Sow, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, praised the partnership as a symbol of shared humanitarian commitment. He noted that the grant goes beyond financial support, sending a strong message of solidarity with the Somali people. “This cooperation aims to restore vital services in long-marginalized communities, reflecting Kuwait’s long-standing humanitarian leadership and the UK’s enduring role in promoting global solidarity,” he said.

The MoUs were signed by Foreign Minister and Chairman of KFAED’s Board of Directors Abdullah Al-Yahya on behalf of Kuwait, and UK Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy on behalf of the British government. These MoUs fall under the framework of a cooperation agreement signed in February 2020 between KFAED and the UK’s former Department for International Development, establishing the foundation for joint humanitarian action to improve living conditions for refugees, displaced persons, and communities impacted by wars and natural disasters worldwide. — KUNA

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 SKUWAIT.COM .