Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences Launches the Kuwait Emergency Response Fund

Foreign Minister Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, announced the launch of the “Kuwait Emergency Response Fund” initiative. He emphasized that this national initiative embodies the values of responsibility, solidarity, and unity upon which the State of Kuwait is founded, aiming to enhance national readiness and develop institutional tools capable of addressing various challenges and exceptional circumstances.

Speaking at a press conference held to announce the initiative, he stated that the region is undergoing a delicate phase requiring a high degree of responsibility, readiness, and joint action, amidst what he described as the “systematic and heinous Iranian aggression” and its exceptional repercussions, which have cast a shadow over Kuwait’s security and stability. This situation necessitates doubling efforts and unifying them to strengthen national readiness and meet the requirements of these exceptional conditions.

He added that the State of Kuwait and its people have long been known for their spirit of solidarity, cohesion, and working with a sense of national unity in the face of challenges threatening the national fabric. He affirmed that these values have been a source of strength and confidence in Kuwait’s ability to overcome various circumstances, and that the gracious Kuwaiti people have been an inspiration for launching this initiative, which calls for providing everything possible to support the nation.

The Minister stated that the initiative stems from a shared responsibility to protect the State of Kuwait’s gains and build its capacity to respond to various changes. He noted that the “Kuwait Emergency Response Fund” will establish an integrated institutional mechanism to mobilize local financing in support of the state’s efforts to address the impacts and damages inflicted on national infrastructure by the “heinous Iranian aggression.” He explained that this mechanism relies on leveraging the institutional expertise acquired by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development through its supervision of development and infrastructure projects in various countries, and utilizing that expertise to support national efforts in addressing damages resulting from the aggression.

The Minister announced the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development’s contribution of $100 million to the initiative, in response to the national call and in support of the initiative’s objectives. He expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (may God protect and guard him), and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (may God protect him), for their continuous support of the Kuwait Fund’s efforts to highlight Kuwait’s bright image across the globe. He also extended his thanks to His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (may God protect him), and all members of the Council of Ministers, for their support of this national initiative, which reflects the state’s vision to enhance integration among its national institutions and consolidate the concept of partnership and shared responsibility in serving the nation.

The Foreign Minister concluded his speech by praying that God perpetuate the blessings of security, safety, stability, and prosperity upon the State of Kuwait, and that He grant everyone success in serving the nation and its advancement.

For his part, Waleed Al-Bahr, Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, confirmed that, in implementation of Council of Ministers Decision No. (587) issued at its 19th meeting of 2026, which approved the establishment of the “Kuwait Emergency Response Fund,” and the Fund’s Board of Directors Decision No. (2) of 2026 approving an amount of $100 million (approximately KD 30 million), the initiative has been launched and its implementation begun immediately. This underscores the commitment to supporting the State of Kuwait’s efforts to address the repercussions of the heinous aggression, enhance the capacity of its institutions to respond and recover, and ensure the continuity of vital services and facilities, thereby safeguarding the state’s interests and enhancing its developmental security.

He clarified that the exceptional circumstances facing the country have highlighted the need to mobilize state institutions and leverage their accumulated expertise and capabilities. He explained that, driven by its national responsibility, the Fund has put this initiative into practice, relying on its long experience in managing and financing development and infrastructure projects. This involves preparing an integrated technical and financial framework to support the state’s efforts in response, recovery, and rehabilitation, while deploying all its technical, financial, and administrative resources to serve the nation.

He noted that the “Kuwait Emergency Response Fund” will operate as a special accounting window within the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, adhering to the highest standards of transparency, governance, and financial oversight. Its purpose is to mobilize financial resources and direct them toward priority projects and programs according to the government’s priorities and needs, particularly the rehabilitation of facilities and sites damaged by the heinous aggression.

Al-Bahr added that the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development will manage the initiative, evaluate funding requests, prioritize them, and monitor their implementation in coordination with relevant government bodies and national institutions. This ensures efficient resource utilization and the achievement of desired objectives, while maintaining the responsibility for project execution with the competent authorities within their respective jurisdictions.

He affirmed that the “Kuwait Emergency Response Fund” represents a national investment in Kuwait’s developmental security and the sustainability of its vital facilities, marking an important step toward building a more capable system to face challenges. He reiterated his thanks and appreciation to the Foreign Minister, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, for his continuous support and guidance, and thanked the media for their interest and coverage. He expressed his hope that the Fund would serve as a leading national model in supporting response and recovery, and enhancing future readiness, thereby achieving the national interest and preserving the security, stability, and prosperity of the State of Kuwait.

In response to a question regarding the Fund’s role, he clarified that it would be limited to receiving, evaluating, and monitoring the implementation of funding requests, while the responsibility for project execution remains with the competent government authorities. He explained that the Fund would receive, study, and evaluate funding requests to ensure they meet approved conditions and standards. The ministry or institution owning the project would be responsible for execution, while the Fund would monitor implementation through periodic reports submitted by beneficiary entities.

Regarding the mechanism for selecting projects, he stated that all requests would be subject to the Fund’s approved financing criteria, with priority given to projects designated by the government. He noted that requests would be coordinated with the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers, which would determine implementation priorities if the value of projects exceeds the available funds.

In response to a question about ensuring transparency in the management of the Fund’s funds, Al-Bahr emphasized that the Kuwait Fund operates under an integrated system of governance, oversight, and transparency. He explained that the Fund’s operations would be subject to internal oversight, in addition to oversight by the Ministry of Finance and the Court of Accounts, with periodic reports issued on implementation progress and disbursement mechanisms to ensure optimal use of financial resources.

Regarding the scope of the Fund’s work, he clarified that its primary objective is to address the repercussions of the Iranian aggression on the State of Kuwait, confirming that the Fund would consider financing projects related to removing the effects of this aggression and rehabilitating damaged facilities.

On contributions, he explained that the Fund had established a special account to receive contributions from government entities, the private sector, and various institutions. He noted that the $100 million, representing the Fund’s approved capital, had already been transferred to this account. He added that a technical committee would study funding requests from a technical perspective, evaluate their compliance with conditions, and submit them for final approval. He affirmed that resource allocation would follow government-approved project priorities, ensuring rapid response and efficient use of funds to achieve the objectives for which the Fund was established.