KUWAIT CITY: Today marks a significant reflection on the historical events that have shaped the State of Kuwait. Beginning with a notable diplomatic visit in 1903, Britain’s Viceroy in India, Lord George Curzon, arrived in Kuwait and was warmly received by Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah. The grandeur of the reception was underscored by the presence of approximately 620 service members and a large gathering of crowds.
According to Kuwait News Agency, in 1915, the nation mourned the loss of its seventh ruler, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, known as Mubarak Al-Kabeer, who passed away at the age of 73 after a 19-year rule. Fast forward to 1962, a student rally during Algerian activist Jamilah Bu Heirad’s visit resulted in injuries to two students and two policemen.
In the sphere of economic development, 1973 saw the establishment of the Livestock Transport and Trading Company with a capital of KD eight million, later listed on the Kuwait stock exchange in 1984. Notably, in 1976, a decree by Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem
Al-Sabah led to the creation of the Fund for Future Generations, ensuring a portion of the state’s revenue and reserves would be invested for future sustainability.
The political landscape in 1990 was marked by the UN Security Council’s Resolution 677, which condemned Iraq’s actions during its invasion. The resolution sought to preserve Kuwait’s demographic integrity by safeguarding population records.
In 1997, the Ministry of Interior honored Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem by renaming the Police Academy to Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences. The year 2005 witnessed Kuwait hosting the Union of Arab Chemists meetings, marking a first for the Gulf region.
The achievements of Kuwaiti para-athlete Hamed Wabdan in 2009, the advancements in oil transportation with the arrival of the Dar Salwa Tanker in 2010, and political shifts in 2011 with the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah further highlight Kuwait’s dynamic history.
In rece
nt years, Kuwait has continued to play a role on the international stage, with appointments such as Dr. Abdullah Al-Maatouq as a UN special envoy in 2012, and gaining observer status in the International Organization for Migration in 2017. The inauguration of Jaber Al-Ahmad hospital in 2018 underscored advancements in healthcare infrastructure.
Most recently, in 2023, significant parliamentary activities included the interpellation against Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah and the appointment of Essam Al-Roumi as president of the State Audit Bureau, demonstrating Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to governance and accountability.