KUWAIT:
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has had an eventful debut year as Crown Prince, with a series of diplomatic, social, and international engagements that highlight Kuwait’s active role in regional and global affairs. From hosting official visits to addressing international forums, His Highness has been at the forefront of key national and international events throughout 2024.
National unity and diplomacy
On June 1, 2024, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled was appointed Crown Prince of Kuwait, taking the oath of office the following day, June 2. His Highness began his tenure with a series of important meetings, starting with a gathering on June 10 with members of the Al-Sabah family at the family Diwan in Bayan Palace. The meeting underscored the importance of unity and solidarity within the leadership of Kuwait. Later that month, His Highness the Crown Prince hosted a gathering at Bayan Palace, welcoming a large number of citizens and further solidifying his commitment to maintaining open communication with the public.
Global engagement
A few days after taking the oath as Crown Prince, His Highness held pivotal talks with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, during an official visit to the Kingdom. The meeting took place at the Peace Palace in Jeddah, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
As part of his international engagements, His Highness the Crown Prince traveled to New York in September to head Kuwait’s delegation at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. During his visit, he delivered Kuwait’s speech at the Future Summit and participated in the General Debate, where he addressed global issues and Kuwait’s role in promoting peace and cooperation on the international stage.
His Highness’s activities also included the celebration of the anniversary of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative on September 26, where he underscored Kuwait’s dedication to regional cooperation and multilateral collaboration.
On October 2, His Highness arrived in Doha to lead the Kuwaiti delegation at the 3rd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit. His participation in this summit aimed to enhance Kuwait’s role in fostering closer ties within the Asian region, promoting dialogue and cooperation on key economic and political issues.
Global security and climate action
In November, His Highness the Crown Prince delivered the opening speech at the 4th International Conference on “Enhancing International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism,” held in Kuwait. The conference, which was attended by over 450 participants from United Nations member states, aimed to strengthen international cooperation in combating terrorism and promoting peace and security.
Additionally, His Highness the Crown Prince played a key role at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh on November 11, where he addressed regional issues and the importance of unity among Arab and Islamic nations in addressing common challenges.
In a significant contribution to global climate efforts, His Highness also participated in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 13. In his address, he emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to tackling climate change and fostering international cooperation to achieve sustainable development.
Strengthening regional ties
The year ended with a significant visit from Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince of Jordan, who visited Kuwait on December 15. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah warmly received Prince Hussein at Bayan Palace, marking a strong reaffirmation of the ties between Kuwait and Jordan.
Throughout 2024, His Highness the Crown Prince has shown exemplary leadership in reinforcing Kuwait’s diplomatic relations, both regionally and globally. His engagements have highlighted his dedication to strengthening Kuwait’s position on the world stage, addressing critical issues such as international security, climate change, and sustainable development, while continuing to foster unity and cooperation at home.
The Crown Prince’s active participation in these high-level meetings, summits, and official visits further underscores his commitment to advancing Kuwait’s foreign policy objectives and promoting the country’s interests in various international forums.
