RIYADH: Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi affirmed that the non-profit sector has become a key driver of comprehensive development, given its dynamic human and societal resources and its capacity to foster community-based initiatives that bolster social stability and improve quality of life. Speaking during a panel session at the Gulf Non-Profit Sector Forum, held as part of the third International ENA Exhibition in Riyadh, Dr Al-Ajmi underscored the importance of forging strategic partnerships between the non-profit, public, and private sectors.

“We believe in an integrated development vision that promotes sustainability and empowers all components of society,” he said. Highlighting the strategic significance of investing in the non-profit sector, Dr Al-Ajmi stated, “Safe investment in this sector is not a luxury, but a national necessity and a strategic choice adopted by advanced nations to maintain social balance, enhance productivity, and deepen community engagement.”

Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi

Gulf Forum for the Non-Profit Sector. – KUNA photos

He pointed to the successful Gulf experiences presented at the forum as practical models, offering a clear roadmap for institutional development and sectoral integration. “These are not mere theoretical exercises but actionable frameworks that can elevate performance across entities and contribute to a sustainable development model rooted in shared expertise,” he said. Dr Al-Ajmi concluded by extending his appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its warm hospitality and excellent organization of the forum. He also lauded the efforts of the Executive Office of the GCC Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs, as well as the GCC General Secretariat, for their effective coordination of the forum’s dialogue sessions.

The session also featured a presentation by Director of the Civil Society Associations Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Iman Al-Enezi, who outlined Kuwait’s achievements in promoting financial sustainability among non-profit organizations. She said Kuwait has adopted a comprehensive institutional framework rooted in transparency, governance, and empowerment, enabling civil and charitable associations to diversify their income sources through legislative, financial, and regulatory reforms.

“We now have pioneering national models of community leadership that can be leveraged at the Gulf and Arab levels,” Al-Enezi said. She explained that Kuwaiti non-profit organizations rely on a mix of government funding, private sector support, individual donations, and charitable endowments—strengthening their independence and operational flexibility.

Al-Enezi praised the Gulf Forum as an effective platform for exchanging experiences and aligning development goals, reaffirming Kuwait’s firm commitment to supporting joint Gulf action and enhancing civil society performance. The Kuwaiti delegation to the forum was led by Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi and included Iman Al-Enezi and Director of the Charitable Organizations Department, Abdulaziz Al-Ajmi. The forum is part of the implementation of recommendations from the 10th meeting of GCC Ministers of Social Affairs and reflects ongoing efforts to consolidate sustainable community partnerships and reinforce the role of non-profit institutions in advancing the development agenda of GCC states. — KUNA

KUWAIT: In an exhibition that bridges centuries of shared history, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait marked 250 years of India-Kuwait friendship, a relationship that began long before either nation took its modern form. Held at the National Library of Kuwait on Monday, the exhibition runs until Friday and features a rich collection of rare documents, trade records, and cultural artifacts. Together, they tell the story of how trade, travel, and mutual respect have long connected the peoples of India and Kuwait.

Reviving what he described as the “glorious past between the two countries,” the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Adarsh Swaika highlighted that this legacy brings with it a responsibility for building a prosperous future too. “While the older generation remembers these ties, it is now the younger generation’s turn to discover it. That’s the key focus of the event,” he told Kuwait Times. He added that over the coming days, the embassy expects around 2,000 students to visit the exhibition — a modest yet meaningful effort to raise awareness about this rich history.

In his remarks, he shared that the India-Kuwait connection traces back to the late 18th century, when Kuwaiti merchants sailed to Indian port cities with goods like dates, Arabian horses, and pearls. In return, they brought back rice, spices, timber, and textiles — not just for local use in Kuwait but also for trade across the wider Gulf region. The exhibition showcases an array of manuscripts and artifacts that document this exchange, including trade documents from Indian ports, Kuwaiti books on pearls printed in Arabic and Gujarati in Indian presses, and historic currency notes and stamps — many of which remained legal tender in Kuwait until 1961.

A section of the exhibition also honors the visits and relationships between leaders of both countries over the past seven decades. Notably, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, one of Kuwait’s most revered leaders, spent extended periods in India. Ambassador Swaika also highlighted the significance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December, describing it as a “pivotal moment that broke the diplomatic pause in high-level engagements.” He added, “We now eagerly anticipate a reciprocal visit from Kuwaiti leadership to India — an opportunity to write the next chapter of this extraordinary journey together.”

Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar, Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, spoke about the deep-rooted cultural relationship between India and Kuwait, emphasizing that it goes far beyond commerce. “Our ties with India go beyond just trade, beyond just merchant families who presented today some of their stories,” he said. “These types of relationships establish or create a soft cultural diplomacy between nations.” He described the exhibition as part of an ongoing cultural dialogue between the National Council and countries with which Kuwait shares strong and enduring ties.

Fahad Ghazi Al-Abduljil, President of the Kuwaiti Heritage Society, contributed personal documents to the exhibition, highlighting the longstanding economic ties between the two nations. Believing that documentation is the only means to preserve events and information, they issued this brochure to document this important exhibition, which sheds light on key aspects of this deep and historic relationship.

Most of the documents showcased highlight the prices of Indian goods, the names of some Kuwaiti commercial offices at ports in the Indian subcontinent, as well as the significant trade exchange between Kuwait and India at the time. Al-Abduljil also remarked that India’s cultural influence remains visible in Kuwait today — from elements in the local cuisine to words embedded in everyday language.

KUWAIT: Today’s diplomat serves not only as the face of their country abroad but also as a cultural ambassador and a vital bridge-builder between societies and governments. This is where the role of diplomatic institutes becomes essential. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Ambassador Nasser Sabeeh AlSabeeh, Assistant Foreign Minister for Saud Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, highlighted the Institute’s role in providing up-to-date training programs to equip diplomats to handle issues with skill and efficiency.

Kuwait Times: What role does the Saud Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute play in training and qualifying Kuwaiti diplomats?

Ambassador AlSabeeh: As established by its founding decree, the Institute is responsible for enhancing the capacities and skills of diplomatic and administrative staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and personnel from other state institutions. We offer a wide range of training programs covering multiple professions, such as engineering, information technology, political science, protocol, economics, report writing, and community engagement. We coordinate overseas training sessions in Arab and European countries that offer rare expertise to sharpen our diplomats’ skills. We send the selected diplomats abroad for these courses, which are fully sponsored by the Institute.

Ambassador Nasser Sabeeh Al-Sabeeh, Assistant Foreign Minister for Saud Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute speaks to Kuwait Times.
Photos by Yasser Al-zayyat

Saud Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute

Kuwait Times: How does the Institute balance the preservation of traditional diplomatic principles with keeping pace with the rapid global changes?

AlSabeeh: We remain committed to the core principles of Kuwaiti foreign policy, which emphasize dialogue and positive neutrality. In light of the rapid global shifts, we employ modern training tools such as virtual meetings and offer online courses. We are also currently working on establishing a digital library that will archive training courses for future reference.

Kuwait Times: What role does artificial intelligence (AI) play in the Institute’s programs?

AlSabeeh: We are gradually integrating AI, beginning with awareness initiatives and then evaluating how trainees utilize it. Our aim isn’t merely educational, where we assess whether the use of AI tools is superficial or if it’s enhancing their understanding. AI is not a replacement for effort; it is a supportive tool for development.

Kuwait Times: How do you see AI affecting the future of diplomatic work?

AlSabeeh: AI will become an integral part of our training programs. We consider it a broad enabler for the future and ensure it’s embedded in our programs, such as the “Tomouh” (Ambition) program for new ministry recruits and the “Reyada” (Leadership) program for promoted diplomats.

Kuwait Times: How does the Institute assess the impact of its programs on the performance of diplomatic missions abroad?

AlSabeeh: Our programs provide ministry personnel with knowledge and skills during their service in Kuwait. When transferred abroad, we offer them a tailored program called “Tamkeen” (Empowerment), which covers protocol, duties, rights, and their roles in the host country.

Kuwait Times: How important is language proficiency in preparing diplomats?

AlSabeeh: English proficiency is a basic requirement for overseas assignments. The Ministry also provides foreign language training for diplomat and their spouse for one year in the host country to facilitate integration and effective communication. The government offers full support for learning key local languages such as French, Russian, or Chinese.

Kuwait Times: You previously mentioned training programs in Kuwait for foreign diplomats. How important is integrating local cultural understanding in shaping a diplomat?

AlSabeeh: We approach the diplomatic community in Kuwait with what we call a “Kuwaiti flavor.” We don’t necessarily immerse them deeply in cultural details, but we offer a light introduction that helps them understand the local society. Our aim is always to bridge gaps and foster intersections and mutual understanding between cultural heritages without clashes. We create genuine integration opportunities through Ramadan events, lectures, and joint activities that receive enthusiastic engagement from both Kuwaiti and foreign diplomats. We also offer them Arabic language courses. There is a great demand for it, we have also provided training courses on the Kuwaiti dialect to offer greater understanding of the local dialect for the ambassadors.

Kuwait Times: How important is psychological well-being in diplomat training programs?

AlSabeeh: Mental health is fundamental. The better a diplomat’s psychological state, the more effective their performance. We don’t neglect this aspect; rather, we work to support and strengthen it. A diplomat facing psychological challenges cannot effectively represent their country, so personal balance and self-care are essential parts of our training approach.

Kuwait Times: Are there actual joint programs with international partners under the Institute’s initiatives?

AlSabeeh: Yes. We launched the “Hosting” Program, which allows us to receive foreign delegations based on their specific training needs. Sometimes, the request comes from a foreign country; other times, we propose it. We then coordinate a balanced training program depending on their preferences and what we have to offer. This program is ongoing and expanding. Through it, we aim to build training partnerships based on mutual respect and understanding.

For example, we hosted a diplomatic delegation from the Netherlands. They were surprised by our interest in renewable energy, as they didn’t expect an oil-rich country like Kuwait to have such initiatives. We took them to the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and then to a desert site to observe a wind and solar energy project. This hands-on experience gave them a real view of Kuwait’s efforts and made a strong impression, especially as it condensed complex information into a single day of practical exposure.

Kuwait Times: What are the Institute’s plans to expand its training and specialization programs? Is there a vision for the Institute to become a regional or international consultancy entity?

AlSabeeh: Consultancy work cannot be one-sided—it requires interest and outreach from external parties. However, we are members of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT), which includes institutes from around the world. Through it, we participate in annual workshops and training sessions, exploring how to merge cultures, exchange experiences, and develop training tools aligned with international standards.

At the Institute, there’s always room for improvement and development. Success isn’t tied to timing alone, but also to how well ideas align with the target audience and participant engagement. Sometimes we prefer smaller groups to ensure rich interaction and dialogue. We don’t measure our success by the number of sessions held. Our goal isn’t to say, “We held 10 courses this year instead of 5 last year.”

Our real ambition is to say that there has been a qualitative development in our outcomes. Therefore, we make sure to hold a public lecture or seminar at least once a month. Over time, we’ve elevated the level of our invitations, now hosting international figures such as the Secretary General of the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and some high-level officials from the United Nations. This attracts a high-caliber, specialized audience and adds real diplomatic and intellectual value to the Institute.