Yemen's Foreign Minister: Kuwait's and the Gulf's security is part of our country's security

Afra Al-Zubaydi - Yemen’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Afra Al-Zubaydi, described Kuwait as a historical partner for Yemen, stating that the relationship between the two countries cannot be reduced to the context of war or aid alone. Rather, it is built on a cumulative record of political stances, mediation, developmental and humanitarian support, and cultural and people-to-people ties, spanning more than six decades of official relations and preceded by older bonds between the two brotherly peoples.

Speaking to media representatives in Kuwait, Al-Zubaydi said her visit aims to build upon this legacy and elevate it to a more regular and effective stage based on political consultation, the activation of agreements and cooperation frameworks, and the expansion of partnerships in development, recovery, and capacity building. She emphasized that “the best way to honor the history of Yemeni-Kuwaiti relations is to add new results that people can see in action: services being delivered, projects being completed, institutions regaining their capacity, and political cooperation continuing after the visit ends.”

A Special Place

Al-Zubaydi noted that Kuwait holds a special place in Yemeni memory, not only because of its political stances, but also because its presence extended into the daily lives of generations of Yemenis through schools, hospitals, roads, and development projects, alongside a cultural and intellectual presence that left its mark through the Kuwaiti press, literature, and culture.

She added, “Official relations between our countries span more than six decades, but what unites Yemenis and Kuwaitis runs deeper than the age of diplomatic representation. Kuwait was present during moments when Yemen needed development, and it was also present when Yemen needed dialogue and the bridging of viewpoints. Therefore, we are not coming to Kuwait to open a new page; the page has been open for a long time. What we want is to write new results in it.”

A Solid Legacy

Al-Zubaydi praised what she described as the solid legacy of Kuwaiti diplomacy in supporting dialogue and de-escalation, noting that Kuwait’s involvement in the Yemen file predates the current crisis by decades, ranging from mediation efforts between the two parts of Yemen in the 1970s to hosting the 2016 Yemeni political consultations.

She affirmed that Kuwait’s hosting of the 2016 consultations will remain appreciated by Yemenis, for providing a serious space for dialogue and reflecting a commitment to unifying words, bridging viewpoints, and supporting Yemen’s unity, security, and stability.

Al-Zubaydi stressed that relations between Yemen and Kuwait now possess an institutional foundation that can be built upon, pointing to the memorandums of understanding signed in January 2025 regarding political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and cooperation between the Yemeni Diplomatic Institute and the Kuwaiti Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, as well as the financial arrangements agreement signed with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in February of the same year, which paved the way for resuming financing and revitalizing development projects.

A Shared Security

Al-Zubaydi affirmed that Yemen’s stability is part of Gulf security, and that this is no longer merely a political description, but a reality dictated by geography and experience. Yemen forms the southern extension of the Gulf region, bordering the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden—key nodes in international trade, energy, and shipping movements.

She added, “When we say that supporting the Yemeni state is an investment in Gulf security, we are not using a phrase of courtesy. Securing maritime passages, combating smuggling networks, and preventing the use of missiles and drones against neighboring countries all begin with the existence of a state capable of exercising its sovereignty.”

She emphasized that Yemen will not become a platform to threaten the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or any other sister country, and that they will not accept their territory, ports, or waters being used as leverage in regional conflicts.

The Kuwait Fund: A Model for Sustainable Development Partnership

Al-Zubaydi affirmed that the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development represents one of the oldest and most important developmental partners of Yemen. She noted that the value of its experience is measured not only by the volume of funding, but by the continuity of the relationship and its ability to adapt to the difficult circumstances the country has endured.

She explained that cooperation covers vital sectors such as energy, electricity, health, education, roads, water, and vocational training. The government looks forward to building on existing projects and rehabilitating those halted before expanding into new commitments, thereby achieving faster impact and protecting previous investments.

She pointed to the maintenance of the Marib Gas Station, supported by Kuwait, as an example of a strategic project whose impact can directly translate into improved services and enhanced state capacity.