Kuwait Forges Extensive Global Strategic Partnerships Across Key Sectors in 2025

Kuwait's Strategic Global Outreach in 2025

The State of Kuwait has embarked on a significant expansion of its regional and global strategic partnerships throughout 2025, marked by a series of multi-sector deals and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). This comprehensive diplomatic and economic outreach underscores Kuwait's ambitious vision to strengthen its pivotal role on the global stage, advance sustainable development, and achieve economic diversification in line with Kuwait Vision 2035.

These agreements cover a broad spectrum of areas, including diplomatic, economic, military, security, health, scientific research, and artificial intelligence, reflecting a strategic shift towards a more diversified and resilient economy.

Deepening Regional Alliances

Kuwait continued to prioritize its strategic depth within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), reinforcing bilateral relations with member states across key sectors.

• With Saudi Arabia, cooperation was strengthened through financial and security agreements, including a pact between the ministries of finance and an MoU between Financial Intelligence Units to enhance information exchange and analysis. Additional agreements covered competition protection and academic cooperation with King Saud University.
• Relations with Qatar saw notable progress, resulting in three MoUs in industrial export development, standardization, and social insurance, alongside an executive program for cultural and artistic cooperation for 2025–2026.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait deepened their strategic partnership with agreements covering AI, health, energy, education, defense, and diplomacy. A significant AED9 billion (US$2.45 billion) contract was signed with the UAE's EDGE Group for the acquisition of 'Falaj 3' class missile boats. The Kuwait Investment Authority also joined the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership.
• An MoU was signed with Bahrain to enhance bilateral cooperation in the health sector.

Expanding International Cooperation

On the international front, Kuwait achieved significant progress in diversifying its strategic partnerships beyond the GCC.

• With the United Kingdom, three strategic agreements were signed in July 2025, reinforcing 126 years of diplomatic ties and expanding cooperation in trade, education, cultural exchange, and joint security initiatives.
• Agreements with Türkiye covered maritime transport, energy, and direct investment.
• Cooperation with France included a memorandum between the National Guard and the French Gendarmerie, a declaration of intent on investment cooperation for 2025–2035, and cultural collaboration.
• Bilateral ties with India were elevated to a 'strategic partnership' in December 2024, focusing on crude oil trade, remittances, economic engagements, and potential joint research in renewable energy, AI, healthcare, and desert ecology.
• Kuwait also strengthened ties with Uzbekistan through four agreements covering air transport, labor exchange, smart city development, and industrial cooperation.

Focus on Technology, AI, and Economic Diversification

A key aspect of Kuwait's expanded partnerships is its commitment to technology, artificial intelligence, and economic diversification.

• Kuwait entered into strategic partnerships in technology and artificial intelligence, including an agreement with Microsoft to establish AI data infrastructure and a cloud computing center of excellence.
• Cooperation with Hong Kong focused on financial technologies and AI.
• The nation launched the draft Kuwait National AI Strategy (2025-2028), aiming to become a regional leader in AI innovation by integrating AI across public and private sectors.
• Kuwait also enhanced its engagement with international organizations, acceding to the World Water Organization and signing three agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including the Fourth Framework Plan for Technical Cooperation (2026–2035).

These initiatives align with Kuwait's broader economic reforms, which include measures to attract foreign investment, such as allowing foreign companies to open branch offices without a local agent and permitting foreign investors to own real estate in certain instances.