Kuwait: Kuwait has witnessed a diplomatic outreach enabling it to expand regionally and globally by broadening strategic partnerships via a series of deals and MoUs covering diplomatic, economic, military, security, health, scientific research sectors and artificial intelligence sectors.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the agreements Kuwait concluded in 2025 reflect its vision to strengthen its role as a key player on both the regional and international stages and to achieve sustainable development across various fields. These agreements included numerous countries and organizations worldwide, in addition to leading global institutions.
Kuwait's priority is to deepen ties with its Gulf neighbors by enhancing bilateral partnerships across multiple areas. It strengthened relations with Saudi Arabia in the financial and security fields through an agreement between ministries of finance and an MoU between Financial Intelligence Units on the exchange and analysis of information. The two countries also signed a cooperation agreement in the field of competition protection to exchange expertise, conduct joint studies, and provide training, along with another agreement offering seats for Kuwaiti students at King Saud University in Riyadh.
This momentum was complemented by signing an agreement to organize the affairs of Kuwaiti pilgrims for the 1446 AH Hajj season, covering contracts for transportation, accommodation, and housing services. Meanwhile, the outcomes of the Kuwaiti-Qatari Joint Higher Committee reflected their determination to expand in their partnership. The committee concluded with the signing of three MoUs in industrial export development, standardization activities, and social insurance, in addition to an executive program for cultural and artistic cooperation for 2025-26.
Kuwait's Ministry of Finance also signed an agreement with its Qatari counterpart aimed at supporting financial and regional cooperation and enhancing economic integration among six GCC countries. As for the United Arab Emirates, the strategic scope of partnership expanded through the signing of eight MoUs covering various sectors, from land transport and road assets to industry and advanced technology, and extending to electricity, water, and future energy.
The agreements also focused on joint protection efforts through cooperation in combating human trafficking and safeguarding shared data in joint security projects, as well as cooperation in oil and gas, investment promotion, healthcare, and educational collaboration. Kuwait signed an MoU with Bahrain aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in the health sector, seeking to strengthen strategic partnership in improving service quality and advancing healthcare standards.
Kuwait extended its role within the broader Arab region by enhancing its diplomatic relations with Yemen through an MoU on holding bilateral consultations. It also concluded a military cooperation agreement with Egypt to unify efforts and strengthen coordination, along with an MoU to enhance joint cooperation in regional security and diplomatic capacity-building.
Kuwait signed six agreements, MoUs, and executive programs with Jordan, and an air transport regulation agreement with Tunisia. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed agreements to support humanitarian, relief, and development efforts in the Arab region. Kuwait joined the Arab Customs Cooperation Agreement, recognizing the importance of cooperation between customs administrations and its impact on economic, trade, and social sectors.
Globally, Kuwait's agreements in 2025 reveal growth encompassing four cooperation agreements and MoUs with Turkey in maritime transport, energy, and direct investment. An MoU was also signed between Kuwait's National Guard and France's National Gendarmerie covering coordination, joint cooperation, and exchange of expertise and training in military and security fields.
Kuwait and France signed a declaration of intent on strategic investment partnership for 2025-35, along with another declaration to enhance cooperation in cultural fields. The second round of strategic dialogue meetings with the United Kingdom resulted in the signing of three agreements. Kuwait also signed an agreement with the US aimed at enhancing cooperation in border security, customs, and technical expertise exchange.
As for Uzbekistan, relations were strengthened through the signing of four agreements covering air transport services, exchange of labor, smart cities development, and cooperation in the industrial sector. Diplomatic cooperation expanded with agreements signed with Nigeria, Yemen, Albania, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as MoUs with Estonia and Lithuania for diplomatic training.
Kuwait strengthened its role in international organizations by signing an accession charter to the World Water Organization and three agreements with the IAEA: the fourth Country Program Framework for technical cooperation (2026-35), and two agreements re-designating the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research as a collaborating center with the IAEA.
KISR also signed an MoU with the WHO's Kuwait office to strengthen cooperation in research and development and support scientific studies in public health. Kuwait pursued economic diversification and digital transformation through targeted investments in technology and Asian-European partnerships.
Leading these efforts was a strategic partnership agreement with Microsoft to establish AI data capabilities and a cloud computing Center of Excellence. Kuwait signed agreements to encourage and protect direct investment with Hong Kong and Hungary, and a framework agreement on renewable energy cooperation with China.
Kuwait established a strategic partnership with WEX Europe to launch the joint fuel card CartissimaQ8 WEX in the Italian market. Kuwait's Capital Markets Authority signed an MoU with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission to exchange information and provide assistance in investigations.
The Kuwait Academy of Financial Markets signed an MoU with Harvard's International Financial Systems Program to enhance the competencies of financial market practitioners in Kuwait. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation signed an agreement with Mongolia to regulate air transport between both countries.
Kuwait and Austria signed a protocol to amend their agreement on avoiding double taxation and preventing financial evasion. Kuwait invested in partnerships aimed at developing human capital and improving quality services in sectors such as health and education. This included signing MoUs with the French Gustave Roussy Hospital and the WHO office in Kuwait.
Abdullah Al-Salem University signed a partnership and cooperation agreement with King's College London to establish the university's College of Medicine and Health Sciences.