Kuwait International

The State of Kuwait is an active and effective member in many international, regional and nongovernmental organizations. Kuwait since its independence, has contributed financially and morally to these organizations and helped them achieve their goals in consistence and coherence with Kuwait’s foreign policy which aims at strengthening constructive cooperation with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, and non-intervention.

Kuwait and the United Nations

Kuwait joined the United Nations on May 14, 1963 thereby becoming the 111th member of the world body. Kuwait has upheld the UN's principle of constructive cooperation, based on peace, equality and justice, among the nations of the world. The UN, on its part, has reciprocated by lending international support to Kuwait during the invasion by Iraq. Kuwait has worked for strengthening the organization and has pledged more funds to the UN corpus than its prescribed quota.

All along, since the State of Kuwait joined the United Nations membership in 1963, Kuwait has met its obligations under all international arrangements in order to establish a global partnership for development. To that end, we have created the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development, thus putting in place a liberal facility to provide assistance to the developing and least-developed countries. Recipients of aid from the Fund now exceed one hundred countries and the aggregate volume of assistance goes beyond 12 billion dollars. Thus the ODA provided by Kuwait over the past years amounted, in real, terms, to almost double the internationally agreed-upon percentage. This does not include the help given by the people of Kuwait through civil society associations and non-governmental organizations to communities in need in various countries.

Kuwait and the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC)

The formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council is an expression and extension of Kuwait's primary foreign policy goals. Kuwait had a prominent role in forming the AGCC when the late Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, proposed the idea of its formation.

Created on February 4, 1981, the AGCC has based its work on these principles to intensify efforts towards broadening cooperation among its members. The Charter of the AGCC was signed by Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia in May 1981. The AGCC groups together countries that are similar in culture, political structure and legal framework. The preferred approach of the AGCC States is political mediation, crisis management and balance of power politics. The Charter aims at establishing a free market aiming a currency union and free movement of labor among the member countries.

Objectives of the AGCC:

• formulating similar regulations in various fields such as economy, finance, trade, customs, tourism, legislation, and administration;

• fostering scientific and technical progress in industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources;

• establishing scientific research centers;

• setting up joint ventures;

• encouraging cooperation of the private sector;

• strengthening ties between their peoples; and

• establishing a common currency by 2010.

 

Kuwait and the Arab League

Kuwait became a member of the Arab League on July 20, 1961 where it realizes its belief in a common Arab destiny by enhancing its relations with the Arab States. Kuwait actively supports, and works for the advancement of the cardinal principles of the Arab League and all its associated organizations.

Kuwait and other Organizations

Kuwait is also a member in many other organizations which include the following:

AMF, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ABEDA, AFDB (nonregional members), AFESD, , BDEAC, CAEU, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, , IDB, , IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, , IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, PCA.