51talk Kuwait Selects Hashem Al-Rafai to Represent Kuwait at UN Climate Conference in Turkey

Kuwaiti student Hashem Al-Rifai was selected to represent Kuwait at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, as part of the “51talk” student initiative, after winning the final rounds held at the Kuwait National Library on September 30, 2026, in partnership with the library and in the presence of Sheikhah Fawza Fahad Al-Sabah.

Fifteen students, learners of English through the “51talk” platform, participated in the final rounds, delivering speeches in English on environmental protection, climate change, and sustainability before a judging panel that evaluated the entries and selected the winner for the international participation opportunity.

The event allowed participants to express their ideas and visions for the future of the environment, apply their language skills to discuss global issues affecting their lives and futures, and gain experience in public speaking.

Skills and Confidence

Sheikhah Fawza Fahad Al-Sabah stated, “Providing such opportunities is essential for developing students’ communication skills and boosting their self-confidence, encouraging them to express their opinions freely and confidently, whether in local forums or international platforms.”

She addressed the students and the winner, Hashem Al-Rifai, saying, “You are the leaders and the future of Kuwait. Continue striving to develop yourselves, broaden your horizons, and enrich your culture. God willing, we will see you soon representing Kuwait at major global forums.”

Pride in Participation

The winner, Hashem Al-Rifai, will represent Kuwait at the climate conference in Turkey as part of the student initiative, marking Kuwait’s first participation in this initiative. This will enable him to share his ideas on the environment and sustainability and connect with participants from various countries.

Expressing his joy at the win, Hashem said, “I felt proud and happy after winning. Representing the State of Kuwait in Turkey is a wonderful feeling for me, and I am proud to represent my country on a global stage. I also benefited and learned a great deal through the 51talk platform.”

His mother added, “Kuwait is a small country on the world map, but it is rich in talents and ambitions that need to be highlighted. This is what the 51talk platform has done for my son.”

Learning and Application

In the same context, Wafaa Al-Ali stated, “Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that the experience of learning English goes beyond the classroom, providing our students with real opportunities to use their skills and express their ideas with confidence. Selecting a student from Kuwait to represent his country internationally reflects our vision of empowering young learners and connecting the skills they acquire with real-world opportunities and experiences.”

51talk Kuwait emphasized that the initiative is part of its efforts to empower children to speak confidently and communicate with the world, develop their skills, and provide opportunities to use English in practical experiences and international participations.

The company expressed its appreciation to the Kuwait National Library for its cooperation in organizing the event, which marks the company’s first in-person activity in Kuwait, highlighting the importance of community partnerships in supporting students and developing their capabilities.

51talk is an online English language learning platform dedicated to developing language skills among young learners and enhancing their communication abilities. It has a presence in several Asian and Gulf markets.