Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in Science, Technology, and Innovation

The Official Gazette, “Kuwait Today,” published Decree No. 170 of 2026, approving a memorandum of understanding between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. The decree stipulates the following:

Article One: Approval of the memorandum of understanding between the Government of Kuwait and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, which was signed in Riyadh on November 10, 2025.

Article Two: The ministers, each within their respective competence, shall implement this decree, which shall take effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The memorandum of understanding stipulates the following:

The Government of the State of Kuwait, represented by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”), based on their distinguished relations and their conviction that developing bilateral relations in the fields of science, technology, and innovation benefits both countries, and recognizing that such cooperation will enhance the development of their existing friendly relations and serve their common interests, in accordance with the systems, laws, and regulations in force in both countries and within the available capacities, have agreed as follows:

Article One: The Parties shall contribute to developing bilateral scientific, technical, and innovative cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, in accordance with the provisions of this memorandum and the national systems and regulations of each Party.

Article Two: The Parties shall encourage cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and innovation through the following:

1. Organizing and exchanging visits among scientists, researchers, officials, experts, and technicians.

2. Organizing joint scientific research projects in the field of technological development and exchanging their results.

3. Exchanging scientific and technical information and documents.

4. Organizing joint activities in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, such as meetings, conferences, seminars, working sessions, courses, and exhibitions, and participating in them.

5. Utilizing the research and development facilities and scientific equipment available to the Parties in implementing joint projects.

6. Any other area of cooperation agreed upon by the Parties.

Article Three: Each Party shall bear the costs of implementing its respective areas of cooperation outlined in this memorandum, in accordance with available capacities, unless the Parties agree otherwise.

Article Four: Intellectual property rights arising from the areas of cooperation covered by this memorandum shall be jointly owned by the Parties and protected in accordance with the systems and laws of their respective countries.

Article Five: The announcement, publication, and commercial exploitation of scientific, technical, and innovative results and outcomes arising from the areas of cooperation covered by this memorandum shall require the prior written agreement of both Parties.

Article Six: Each Party shall take, in accordance with its systems and laws, all necessary measures to ensure the best possible conditions for implementing the cooperation activities outlined in this memorandum.

Article Seven: The Parties undertake not to use the information and documents exchanged between them except for the purposes specified in this memorandum, and not to transfer such information and documents to any third party without the written consent of the Party that provided them. The provisions of this Article shall remain in effect even after the termination or expiration of this memorandum.

Article Eight: The Parties shall establish a working group to monitor the implementation of cooperation activities in the areas covered by this memorandum, and the group shall convene whenever necessary.

Article Nine: Any disputes that may arise from the interpretation or implementation of this memorandum shall be settled amicably through consultations between the Parties via diplomatic channels, and shall not be submitted to any court or body for settlement.

Article 10: This Memorandum shall not affect or impair the validity or implementation of any obligations arising from other international treaties or memoranda concluded by the two Parties or to which either of them is a party.

Article 11: 1. This Memorandum shall enter into force on the date of the last mutual notification exchanged between the Parties through diplomatic channels, confirming the completion of the necessary internal procedures for its entry into force. 2. The duration of this Memorandum shall be five (5) years, and it shall be automatically renewed for similar periods unless one Party notifies the other in writing, through diplomatic channels, of its intention to terminate it or not to renew it at least six (6) months prior to the specified termination date. 3. This Memorandum may be amended by mutual agreement of the Parties, and any amendment shall enter into force on the date of the last mutual notification exchanged between them through diplomatic channels, confirming the completion of the necessary procedures. 4. In the event of termination or expiration of this Memorandum, its provisions shall continue to apply with respect to projects and programs established under it.