Lammy's visit underscores deep friendship
The UK Foreign Secretary was received by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al - Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. Discussions reflected the strength of the historic relationship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom that spans over 250 years and touched on a wide range of shared interests including regional affairs, defense cooperation, trade and investment and international development partnerships.
As part of the visit, two MoUs were signed between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, on providing joint emergency humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflicts in Somalia and Sudan. Both parties will provide a total contribution of five million dollars to support ICRC's humanitarian work in Somalia and a total of 10 million dollars to support UNICEF's work in sustaining vital primary healthcare, nutrition and child protection services in Sudan.
These agreements represent an important step in continuing to build the UK-Kuwait international development partnership following the success of the first joint project in September 2024, which provided aid to Gaza and Yemen. The visit also included a meeting with Minister of Finance & Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Noura Al-Fassam, where discussions focused on bilateral trade now totaling £6.1 billion per year & investment, advancements on UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations and UK's interest in Kuwait's Vision 2035.
During the visit, the Foreign Secretary visited the Commercial Bank of Kuwait to meet with Chairman Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al-Sabah and one of several British Kuwaiti joint venture businesses contributing to Kuwait's economic development - Kuwait British Renewables. The meeting underlined the UK's ongoing commitment to supporting private sector collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation between the two countries. A special meeting was also held with young Kuwaiti diplomats and professionals at Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute hosted by Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The Foreign Secretary commended their passion, talent and global outlook, and welcomed their role in shaping the future of Kuwait-UK relations.
The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs, Rt Hon David Lammy MP, commented on the bilateral relationship stating: 'Kuwait and the United Kingdom have an enduring, close, deep friendship bounded by people-to-people and strong cultural links, a strong defense and security partnership, we've been trading for over 250 years and our first bilateral relations go back to 1899 of course supplemented by the relationship between our two royal families. I am in Kuwait to conduct a strategic dialogue, an important strategic dialogue that sets up the next era of our relations. There's more we can do on trade, and business, and investment, there's more that we can do on security and defense at this challenging time for global security and peace particularly here in the Middle East.' Reflecting on the visit, British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, stated: 'This visit marks another chapter in over 125 years of close friendship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom. It comes at a time of deepening cooperation across numerous sectors including trade, humanitarian development and cultural exchange. The British Embassy in Kuwait looks forward to building on the momentum of this important visit and continuing to work in partnership with Kuwaiti institutions for the benefit of both our peoples.'
Head of ICRC GCC Regional Delegation, Mamadou Sow stated: 'This joint commitment by the Kuwait Fund and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sends a strong signal of solidarity with the people of Somalia. With their support, we're able to deliver essential health and water services in areas where needs are urgent and often invisible. It's a testament to the power of principled humanitarian action and to the leadership of Kuwait and the UK in placing humanity at the heart of international cooperation.'
UNICEF Gulf Area Office Representative, Eltayeb Adam noted: 'This generous joint contribution from the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Kuwait Fund comes at a critical time for children in Sudan. It is more than financial support; it is a lifeline. This partnership shows what's possible when long-standing partners unite with a shared purpose: to protect children's rights, restore essential services, and bring hope to those affected by crisis. UNICEF deeply values this growing humanitarian collaboration, which is helping build a more resilient future for Sudan's most vulnerable children.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
14 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Today in Kuwait's history - Islam Al-Sharaa
KUWAIT: 1985 -- Eleven people were killed and 89 others injured in terrorist explosions at two popular sea-front cafes in Sharq and Samliya areas, State of Kuwait. 1991 -- Fifty-four people, mostly Americans, were injured in a big fire at a weapons depot of the US forces in Doha area. 1994 -- The Public Authority for Youth and Sport allowed every local sporting club to bring two foreign players to their football teams, allocating 20,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (KD) for every club to hire the players. 2000 -- Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah issued a law rejecting claims to state property. 2000 -- Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a law allowing establishment of private universities or branches of foreign universities. Majority of shares of these institutions, which contribute to higher and applied education, should be owned by Kuwaiti nationals. 2002 -- Kuwait's Khaled Al-Mudhaf won the Trap event at the World shooting Grand Prix in Finland, thus qualified for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. 2005 -- Murad Yusuf Behbehani, one of the first Kuwaiti businessmen to import air conditioning units, watches and cars in 1940s, passed away at age of 86. Behbehani was the honorary consul of the Switzerland for more than 50 years, and chaired Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait between 1986-2003. 2018 -- Kuwait Environment Public Authority's (EPA) Environmental Monitoring Information System of Kuwait (eMISK) won the 2018 geographic information systems award, in a conference held in the US. 2019 -- Chinese Tsinghua University selected Kuwait University political sciences professor, Ghanem Al-Najjar, to be member of the higher academic committee of its international studies institute. 2024 -- Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital was internationally recognized by Surgical Review Corporation as a distinguished breast surgery center. —KUNA
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
Now, Saudi Arabia Will Allow Expats To Own Properties
RIYADH, July 11: In a landmark policy shift aimed at boosting foreign investment, Saudi Arabia will permit non-Saudis to own real estate in designated areas across the Kingdom beginning January 2026. The move comes under a newly approved property ownership law, marking a significant milestone in the country's broader strategy to diversify its economy and strengthen the real estate sector. The decision was endorsed by the Saudi Cabinet and announced by Majed Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing and Chairman of the Real Estate General Authority, who described the legislation as a cornerstone of the Kingdom's ongoing real estate reform program. Under the new framework, foreign nationals will be permitted to purchase property in specific zones, primarily in Riyadh and Jeddah, while ownership in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina will be subject to stringent regulatory conditions and additional oversight. 'The updated law is designed to expand the real estate supply, attract international investors and developers, and stimulate foreign direct investment in the Saudi market,' Al-Hogail said, adding that the legislation includes procedural safeguards to protect national interests and ensure the integrity of the housing sector. The Real Estate General Authority will play a central role in implementing the law. It will define the geographical zones open to foreign buyers and draft the accompanying executive regulations. These regulations will be made available for public consultation via the 'Istitlaa' platform within 180 days of the law's publication in the official gazette. The guidelines will detail eligibility requirements, application procedures, and compliance mechanisms, ensuring a balanced approach to economic liberalization and social responsibility. The law complements existing frameworks such as the Premium Residency Law and property ownership rights extended to GCC citizens, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to regulatory modernization under the Vision 2030 transformation plan. By opening its property market to global investors, the Kingdom seeks to position itself as a competitive real estate destination while addressing domestic housing demand and fueling long-term economic growth.
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
UK, France unveil migrants deal as Macron ends visit
NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom: London and Paris unveiled a 'pilot' program on Thursday to return to France some of the migrants arriving in the UK on small boats across the Channel, as President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal, hammered out during the French leader's three-day visit, 'groundbreaking' and capable of stemming the record numbers of people who have embarked on the perilous journey so far this year. 'This is groundbreaking, because this is a scheme intended to break the model, and to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat, then you'll end up where you started,' he said in a joint press conference with Macron. 'In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here' in a safe manner, Starmer said, adding that the scheme would start within 'the coming weeks'. Although Starmer did not say how many people might be returned to France, media reports suggest it could initially total around 50 people a week. In comments likely to infuriate pro-Brexit groups, Macron said Britain's 2020 departure from the EU had worsened the situation in the Channel, cutting off legal migration routes and access to the bloc's own returns agreements. 'So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal way, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing,' Macron said. 'This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing — exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised.' Meanwhile, Macron urged joint UK-France recognition of a Palestinian state, calling such moves 'the only hope for peace' in the conflict-ridden region. Alongside migration, the two leaders used the visit to work on a raft of initiatives and shared concerns over defense, trade and culture. They included addressing the volatile situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and a 'reboot' of defense ties, including joint missile development and nuclear cooperation. Among the announcements was a commitment to increase from 10,000 to 50,000 troops a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) established more than a decade ago. The cross-Channel allies also said they would order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles — long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the allies — while stepping up work on a replacement system. The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia following Moscow's full-scale 2022 invasion. Starmer and Macron dialed into a meeting Thursday of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' on Ukraine, announcing that new headquarters for the European-led, 30-nation grouping had opened in Paris. Britain and France are spearheading talks among the coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. The visit also saw the typical British pomp and pageantry of such occasions, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcoming Macron and his wife Brigitte to Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The entourage enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage procession, a 41-gun salute and a banquet at Windsor Castle, west of London, where the Francophile king and French leader toasted a new 'entente amicale'. However, much of the attention over the three-day visit focused on the vexing issue of cross-Channel migration. It has become a major headache for Starmer's year-old Labour government, as support for the upstart anti-immigrant Reform UK party soars. More than 21,000 migrants have made the Channel crossing in rudimentary vessels this year alone. As the leaders met Thursday, the UK Coastguard said a number of the small boats headed to southeast England had been sighted in the Channel. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacted to the returns deal, branding it 'a humiliation for Brexit Britain'. 'We have acted today as an EU member and bowed down to an arrogant French President,' Farage said on X. The main opposition Conservative Party also criticized the plan, accusing Starmer of 'weak and ineffective gimmicks'. The mooted migrant-exchange scheme has also sparked 'serious concerns' among some other European nations. – AFP
