Abu Dhabi, UAE – Today, February 25th, the United Arab Emirates stands alongside its sister nation, Kuwait, in celebrating its 65th National Day. This is a true testament to fraternal relations that transcend mere time, encompassing shared values, unwavering political will, and a strategic partnership spanning various fields. This celebration is not a fleeting diplomatic gesture, but a genuine expression of a unified Gulf spirit that believes what binds these two countries far greater than any geographical boundaries or official classification.
Perhaps the most eloquent expression of the depth of this relationship is the initiative taken by the wise leadership of the UAE to celebrate the fraternal ties between the two countries for a full week, from January 29th to February 4th, 2026, across all the emirates, under a slogan that is striking in its symbolism and clear in its message: “The UAE and Kuwait… Brothers Forever.” This slogan encapsulates a long history of unity and solidarity, and affirms that this relationship has never been contingent on immediate interests, but rather is the fruit of a shared human and cultural heritage.
Renewed partnership
Bilateral relations between the two countries flourish under the wise guidance of their leaders: His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, whose sagacious directives are the cornerstone of this renewed partnership. A key indicator of the successful institutionalization of this relationship was the convening of the sixth session of the Joint Higher Committee between the two countries in Kuwait. This session witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding covering vital sectors, including consumer protection and trade oversight, tourism cooperation, standardization, anti-corruption, and public sector auditing—a testament to the deepening and more comprehensive nature of cooperation between the UAE and Kuwait.
Promising economic dynamism
On the economic front, UAE-Kuwaiti relations offer a model of Gulf integration. Total trade between the two countries exceeded AED 317 billion during the decade from 2013 to 2022, encompassing imports, non-oil exports, and re-exports. The figures don’t stop there; non-oil trade alone reached approximately AED 38.8 billion in the first nine months of 2025, representing a remarkable growth of 7.6%, reflecting a promising economic dynamism that rejects stagnation and aspires to expansion. The UAE now occupies a prominent position as Kuwait’s second-largest trading partner globally, and its leading partner in the Arab world and the Gulf region. It accounts for nearly 20% of Kuwait’s non-oil exports, making this economic partnership an indispensable pillar for both economies.
Advanced academic environment
In the tourism sector, human ties are most evident, with nearly 400,000 Kuwaiti tourists visiting the UAE in 2025, an increase of almost 6% compared to the previous year. This movement of people is facilitated by an extensive network of 174 direct flights per week, making interaction between the two nations a daily, rather than seasonal, occurrence.
In the field of education, the roots of cooperation extend back to 1952, when the late Emir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah directed the dispatch of a Kuwaiti educational mission to the Emirate of Sharjah, a gesture that laid the foundation for humanitarian cooperation even before the two countries were officially established. Today, Emirati universities host approximately 1,725 Kuwaiti students who find in the UAE an advanced academic environment that hones their skills and opens up future horizons for them.
Sincere will and wise leadership
Cultural ties complete this integrated system, as the joint committees contributed to launching cooperation programs in culture, arts, libraries and scientific research, the most prominent of which was the seven agreements signed in the first session of the Joint Higher Committee in 2008, followed by successive executive programs in 2014 and 2020.
Ultimately, the UAE and Kuwait are not merely neighboring countries bound by agreements and shared interests; they are a living example of what genuine will and wise leadership can create—a true partnership that serves both peoples and strengthens the security and stability of the Gulf. While Kuwait’s 65th National Day is an occasion for celebration, it is, first and foremost, an opportunity to reaffirm that this unified Gulf home is solidly built, resolutely committed, and open to a shared future filled with hope.
