KUWAIT CITY, Jan 20: As Kuwait prepares to enter a new phase of development, a series of notable achievements have strengthened its position both regionally and internationally. These accomplishments reflect the combined efforts of the government, private sector, and the nation’s unwavering determination, leading to significant progress in various areas, including diplomacy, development, science, culture, healthcare, and sports.

Over the past year, Kuwait has made remarkable strides in diplomacy, development projects, and legislative reforms, while also achieving significant advancements in global rankings. These accomplishments encompass a wide range of areas, from diplomatic initiatives and infrastructure improvements to scientific and cultural innovations, as well as medical and sports achievements.

On the political and diplomatic front, Kuwait has successfully enhanced its foreign relations by signing several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with key countries, including Turkey, China, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Bahrain, and India. Furthermore, Kuwait has consolidated its regional and international leadership position through a series of milestones, such as hosting the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, electing Kuwaiti candidate Mohammad Al-Ajeri as Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, and reappointing Abdullah Al-Maatouq as Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General for the eighth consecutive year. Additionally, Kuwait secured the Vice President position in the Arab Union for Tourism Media, representing Asian countries.

Kuwait also made significant progress in strengthening its legislative framework with the introduction of a series of important laws, including the Foreigners' Residence Law, the Traffic Law, the new Nationality Law, a draft law to regulate real estate rentals, and a proposed tax law for multinational entities. These laws aim to protect the rights of residents, streamline administrative processes, and improve the country's business environment.

In terms of major development projects, Kuwait marked a milestone with the full operational launch of the Al-Zour Refinery in May 2024, under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This refinery is one of the most significant projects in Kuwait's ongoing development plan. Under His Highness, the Amir’s patronage, Kuwait also celebrated the opening of Abdullah Al-Salem University and the announcement of the Kuwait National Center for Space Research. Furthermore, Kuwait was awarded the Best Gulf Partnership Award for 2024 for its collaboration with Oman on the Duqm Refinery Project, a key joint venture in the Gulf.

Economically, international credit rating agencies such as Fitch, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s have affirmed the strength and stability of Kuwait’s economy. Seven Kuwaiti banks were ranked among the top 100 Arab banks for 2023, highlighting the country's strong financial sector. Kuwait also made significant discoveries, including the detection of large quantities of light oil and associated gas in the Al-Nukhdha marine field, located east of Failaka Island. In addition, an archaeological discovery dating back to the Bronze Age was made on Failaka Island, further enriching Kuwait's cultural heritage.

In the oil sector, Kuwait saw several successes, including the Mina Abdullah Refinery being ranked first globally in risk management engineering. The Kuwait Oil Tanker Company was also awarded the Green Shipping Award for its environmental efforts, granted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Moreover, Forbes recognized Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), as one of the best CEOs in Kuwait and the sixth best in the Middle East and North Africa.

In the industrial sector, the Ministry of Commerce launched the Tayhan Kuwait factory, the first Kuwaiti facility in the Mina Abdullah Industrial Area dedicated to manufacturing fiber optic cables. Kuwait also made substantial progress in digital transformation, launching numerous e-government services and partnering with Google to establish state-of-the-art data centers for cloud computing. Additionally, the official environmental portal for Kuwait, "Our Environment," was revamped.

Kuwait's security and stability have also been bolstered, as the country topped the Gallup International Index for the safest country in the world in 2023, according to the Global Law and Order report. This achievement is a testament to the effectiveness of Kuwait's security services in maintaining law and order. Moreover, Kuwait has reinforced its position in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector by securing the top spot in the Communications Sector Development Index for 2024, marking the second consecutive year in which the country has achieved this ranking.

The healthcare sector also saw significant improvements. The Asaad Al-Hamad Dermatology Center and Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital received international recognition for their outstanding services, with Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital being named the seventh-best hospital in the world for breast surgery. Additionally, Kuwait's efforts in immunization were honored by the World Health Organization (WHO). Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital achieved a groundbreaking milestone in vascular surgery and catheterization, while Dr. Huda Al-Foudhari was appointed as president of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization for Southwest Asia and Africa.

In the field of science, Kuwait continued to make strides on the global stage. Dr. Fawaz Al-Zaid became the first Kuwaiti member of the World Council of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Professor Dr. Musa Khorshid received an honorary fellowship from the American College of Surgeons, becoming the first physician from the Gulf and Middle East to achieve this recognition. Kuwait also earned several patents in the field of nanotechnology and won multiple awards in scientific and technological research.

Kuwaiti students also excelled internationally. Kuwait University’s team won the Best Robot Construction Award at the VEX Robotics World Championship, making it the first Arab and Middle Eastern team to receive this honor. Law student Fadia Al-Rifai won first place in the Model United Nations competition, while three Kuwaiti students triumphed at the Gulf Hackathon Competition for Artificial Intelligence in Public Education. Additionally, Kuwaiti photographer Mohammad Al-Kandari was awarded the Best Photo Shoot Award for 2024 by the Arab Union of Tourism Media.

In sports, Kuwait's achievements were equally impressive. The country hosted the 26th Gulf Cup and saw numerous athletes excel in international competitions. The Kuwaiti Paralympic Athletics Team won 17 medals at the 12th Sharjah International Forum, while Kuwait's taekwondo athletes secured three medals at the Arab Cup Championship. Kuwait's handball team qualified for the 2025 World Cup finals, and swimmer Mohammad Zubaid won a gold medal at the Arab Water Sports Championship. Paralympic champion Faisal Sorour earned Kuwait's first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and jet ski champion Mohammad Al-Baz ranked first in the UAE International Jet Ski Championship. Additionally, Mohammad Burbaie, a world-renowned jet ski champion, was honored by the Guinness World Records for the fourth time for winning 28 medals in world jet ski events.

Kuwait also made a significant contribution to the Arab Modern Pentathlon Union, securing eight positions in the union's committees for the 2024-2028 period.

These achievements reflect Kuwait’s ability to steadily progress toward its development goals, overcoming challenges and responding to global changes. They embody the vision of Kuwait's leadership and the aspirations of its people, positioning the country as a model for progress in the region and worldwide.