KUWAIT: As her tenure comes to a close, Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait Aliya Mawani has expressed gratitude for the strong partnerships and lasting friendships formed during her posting.

Reflecting on her arrival in November 2021, just as Kuwait was emerging from COVID-19 restrictions, Ambassador Mawani described her term as one marked by momentum, cooperation and significant bilateral achievements.

She stated during her farewell remarks, “It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has passed. To me, that’s a sign it’s been a meaningful and productive period,” highlighting the warmth, hospitality, and commitment she experienced in the country.

“One major milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral strategic consultations, providing a formal platform for high-level dialogue on political, commercial, educational and security-related matters. A second MOU on development cooperation further aligned the two countries as international donors with shared values around stability and sustainable development,” she said.

The Canadian ambassador stated that security cooperation has also remained a cornerstone of the relationship, pointing out that Kuwait continues to host Canada’s regional airbase an essential hub for humanitarian and military operations in the region. The base notably supported the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from Afghanistan in 2021, underscoring Kuwait’s strategic importance as a trusted partner.

Meanwhile, healthcare collaboration has deepened with the signing of a government-to-government MoU between Canada and Kuwait’s Ministry of Health. Canadian institutions such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Accreditation Canada play a key role in supporting the training of Kuwaiti doctors and elevating healthcare standards.

In education, the ambassador stated that Canada remains a popular destination for Kuwaiti students, particularly in medicine, with approximately 450 students enrolled in Canadian medical programs each year. The ambassador also noted growing interest in Canada among families considering international education options.

Ambassador Mawani emphasized the importance of like-minded partnerships during turbulent times. With Kuwait currently holding the GCC presidency and Canada leading the G7, she sees both countries well-positioned to advance collective efforts on peace, multilateral reform and international law.

She indicated that Kuwait has consistently advocated for humanitarian values and multilateralism, adding that its foreign policy has evolved toward greater alignment with regional bodies, such as the GCC, Arab League, and OIC, especially in issues like Syria.

Ambassador Mawani will return to Canada to take on a new role at the Global Affairs Canada headquarters in Ottawa, opting to remain closer to family for the foreseeable future. Her successor, Tara Scheurwater, a seasoned diplomat who has served in Istanbul, Japan, and India, will take over the post and continue Canada’s 60th-anniversary celebrations with Kuwait.

As she prepares to depart, Ambassador Mawani says she’ll miss the friendships, the food, and Kuwait’s unique culture of turning dialogue into action. “Kuwait is a place where conversations lead to real projects. Whether through our Young Ambassadors program or collaboration with institutions like UNHCR and the ICRC, I’ve seen firsthand the spirit of partnership that defines this country.”

She leaves with more than memories, taking back a few traditional dara’as and a deeper appreciation for Kuwaiti hospitality, one she hopes to replicate back home through frequent open gatherings and continued engagement.

KUWAIT: August 8, 2025 marks the 58th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – a dynamic regional organization that unites 10 Southeast Asian countries into a community of 680 million people. In the context of a rapidly changing world, ASEAN’s vision and identity have been constantly affirmed and widely acknowledged – not only in the Asia-Pacific region but also in the Gulf region.

ASEAN identity is not just showcasing symbols such as the common flag, anthem and customs but substantively presenting in many regional and international events and mechanisms forged by ASEAN with the participation of world great powers, through the spirit of cohesion and consensus, through the aspiration for peaceful development, stability, prosperity and the everlasting dynamism over many past decades. From only 5 founding countries, ASEAN has grown to 10 member states today and is preparing to welcome Timor Leste as the 11th member – a living testament to the attractiveness and sustainability of the Association. ASEAN’s economic growth in recent years has been quite positive despite lot of acute difficulties. As a whole, ASEAN is currently ranked the 5th largest economy in the world. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ASEAN’s GDP growth is estimated to reach 5 percent in 2024 and may steadily remain at this rate in 2025.

Since joining ASEAN in 1995, over the past 30 years, Vietnam has been an active member in many activities and fields, especially making important and outstanding contributions in the role of ASEAN Chair (1998, 2010 and 2020), contributing to the overall successes of ASEAN and gradually making Vietnam a solid pillar of the bloc. Currently, the Vietnamese Embassy in Kuwait, which is serving as the Chair of the ASEAN Committee, has also implemented many practical initiatives and activities to enhance the image of the ASEAN Community in general and cultivate friendly relations between Kuwait and all ASEAN member countries.

Promoting inclusion

In the context of many global challenges, from climate change, economic crises to geopolitical conflicts, ASEAN has further affirmed the importance of sustainable and inclusive development. ASEAN’s development priorities have always been associated with building strong resilience, internal resources, strengthening regional connectivity and in-depth international cooperation.

Intra-bloc solidarity is the core foundation that helps ASEAN overcome plenty of challenges and hardships, and maintain regional stability and cooperation for almost six decades. This spirit is clearly expressed in the Bangkok Declaration August 8, 1967 which established ASEAN and championed the aspiration for peace and sustainable prosperity for future generations.

Today, ASEAN has unceasingly and actively expanded cooperation with international organizations and countries, including the State of Kuwait. A significant step forward has been taken by Kuwait’s formal accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2023 – opening new opportunities to promote bilateral cooperation. Through individual exchange activities as well as multilateral forums, the two sides are working together on potential fields such as trade and investment, energy security, food security, cultural exchanges and tourism development.

In 2025, ASEAN puts forward the Moto “Inclusivity and Sustainability” as its key message and goal. This is an opportunity for the whole bloc to evaluate the progress of realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and at the same time set forth a long-term strategy toward 2045.

At the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, ASEAN leaders formally adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 – a strategic document towards a cohesive political community, deeply integrated economy, and high social responsibility. Also at the same venue, ASEAN held its second Summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirming its commitment to strengthening inter-regional cooperation, in which Kuwait as the current Chair of the GCC has been playing a crucial role to build the bridge, mutual interest and general action plan for 2025-2030 period.

Solidarity and consensus – the core values of ASEAN – are a profound foundation for realizing a sustainable development and maintaining ASEAN Centrality. In that spirit, ASEAN continues to actively promote multi-faceted cooperation with Kuwait and the Gulf countries, and jointly contributing to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs on Sunday launched an urgent humanitarian campaign to support the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), and a number of local charitable organizations. In a statement, the ministry said the initiative reflects Kuwait’s longstanding humanitarian commitment and its unwavering support for just causes and people in crisis.

It also underscores the country’s consistent solidarity with the Palestinian people in light of the difficult conditions they are currently enduring. The campaign aims to provide essential food supplies, particularly flour and other basic items, to affected families in Gaza. Financial contributions can be made over a three-day period starting Sunday through the dedicated online platform.

As of the time of the statement’s release, the campaign had raised over KD 1,000,000 in donations. The ministry noted that it is also accepting in-kind food contributions in accordance with established guidelines. All food supplies will be sourced exclusively from the Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company, in line with Cabinet Resolution No 1461. The Kuwait Red Crescent Society will oversee the coordination and delivery of humanitarian aid to relief agencies operating in Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine, the statement added. — KUNA