Kuwait on the anniversary of its joining the Arab League: 65 years of contribution and support
Today marks the 65th anniversary of Kuwait’s accession to the Arab League, a milestone that showcased Kuwaiti diplomacy’s steadfast approach and persistent efforts to support Arab unity and enhance joint Arab action within this venerable institution.
Upon gaining independence on June 19, 1961, Kuwait chose its Arab neighborhood as the natural arena for its political and diplomatic activities, driven by its absolute conviction that the strength of the Arab nation is linked to its states’ ability to unify positions and coordinate efforts to confront shared challenges.
From this perspective, Kuwait’s accession to the Arab League on July 20, 1961, represented a practical embodiment of this orientation and sent a clear message that Kuwait is an active part of the joint Arab action framework, with Arab national issues at the core of its foreign policy.
Kuwait has hosted numerous important Arab meetings that left political, economic, and developmental imprints, including the 2009 Arab Economic, Social and Developmental Summit, which was the first in a series of Arab summits, as well as the Third Arab-African Summit in 2013 and the 25th Regular Arab Summit in 2014, which discussed political and economic files, foremost among them the Palestinian issue.
Kuwait hosts several specialized Arab institutions, including the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Arab Organization for Industrialization (formerly AOOIC), the Organization of Arab Cities, and the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Guarantee), among others, reflecting its commitment to supporting joint Arab action institutions and enhancing economic cooperation among Arab states.
In the developmental field, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development stands out as one of Kuwait’s most prominent contributions to supporting Arab countries. Since its establishment in 1961, it has financed developmental projects in infrastructure, energy, education, health, and water sectors, in addition to Kuwait’s contributions in providing humanitarian and relief aid to Arab countries affected by crises and disasters.
In this context, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Ambassador Mohammed Al-Ajiri, told KUNA that “Kuwait is among the leading Arab states in supporting joint Arab action and has played a pivotal role in enhancing Arab cooperation in political, economic, and social fields, thanks to its moderate diplomatic approach and its efforts to consolidate stability and development in the region.”
Al-Ajiri stated that “Kuwait’s contributions to supporting joint Arab action are evident, as it has hosted Arab summits and conferences and put forward initiatives aimed at enhancing dialogue, bridging differences among Arab states, and supporting joint Arab action.”
He praised, in this regard, the foreign policy pursued by Kuwait under the leadership of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, particularly its continuous support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, its backing of relief and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip, and its calls for reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
On the other hand, Ambassador Al-Ajiri pointed to Kuwait’s contributions in supporting the Arab economy through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which has provided loans and grants to finance infrastructure projects in several Arab countries, alongside encouraging joint Arab investments and enhancing economic integration.
He also highlighted the humanitarian and cultural role played by Kuwait through providing aid to Arab countries affected by conflicts and disasters, supporting educational and research projects, encouraging academic exchange, and enhancing Arab media action.
Al-Ajiri noted that “Kuwait represents a model for an Arab state that places Arab cooperation and solidarity at the forefront of its priorities and actively contributes to consolidating joint Arab action and enhancing the Arab League’s progress.”
For his part, Ali Al-Maliki, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs at the Arab League, told KUNA that “Kuwait stands out as a prominent example in supporting the trajectory of Arab economic integration through its active participation in Arab economic agreements and its contributions to financing developmental projects in Arab countries.”
He clarified that the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has helped finance thousands of developmental projects in Arab countries, highlighting Kuwait’s important role in the humanitarian field by hosting international donor conferences to support the Syrian people in cooperation with the United Nations and providing aid to countries affected by crises and disasters.
Al-Maliki emphasized that “what distinguishes Kuwait’s experience within the framework of joint Arab action is the combination of political support, developmental financing, quiet diplomacy, and commitment to Arab economic integration,” adding that “its approach, based on moderation, dialogue, and respect for the sovereignty of states, has strengthened its standing and the trust of member states in it.”
For his part, Fa’id Mustafa, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector at the Arab League, said that “Kuwait’s journey within the League represents a model of a state whose foreign policy has been closely linked to a commitment to joint Arab action and a belief in the importance of Arab solidarity as a cornerstone for achieving security, stability, and development in the region.”
Mustafa added to KUNA that “since its accession to the League, Kuwait has strived to be an active partner in various Arab initiatives and has contributed to supporting joint Arab institutions and enhancing their role. What distinguishes Kuwait’s experience is the combination of steadfast principles with diplomatic flexibility.”
He also highlighted Kuwait’s prominent role in achieving Gulf reconciliation in 2017, its contribution to reaching the Al-Ula agreement in 2021, and its efforts in supporting Arab reconciliations.
