Bilateral accords span defence, healthcare, AI, education, and investment as Gulf neighbours deepen cooperation through landmark deals
In a significant step towards bolstering bilateral relations, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait signed a comprehensive package of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Monday, covering a wide spectrum of strategic sectors. The signing ceremony took place at Bayan Palace during the official visit of UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and was attended by Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
The deals signal an ambitious and broad-based collaboration between the two Gulf nations, aimed at enhancing economic integration, accelerating mutual development goals, and responding to regional and global challenges.
Multisectoral Cooperation Across Key Domains
The agreements stretch across critical areas including healthcare, education, infrastructure, investment, energy transition, and advanced technology. MoUs signed between the two countries include:
- Healthcare: Ministries of Health agreed to deepen coordination in medical services and public health policy frameworks.
- Education: A bilateral education pact will drive shared academic programmes and institutional partnerships.
- Energy & Infrastructure: Strategic collaborations were outlined in oil, gas, electricity, water, roads, and land transport.
- Technology & Industry: Both nations committed to fostering innovation through industrial development and advanced tech cooperation.
- Legal & Humanitarian Affairs: Joint efforts will target human trafficking and legal collaboration to reinforce the rule of law.
- Investment: A notable MoU between the UAE’s Ministry of Investment and Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority will stimulate bilateral capital flows and support private-sector partnerships.
- Security & Data: Ministries of Interior signed an agreement on data protection and joint security intelligence projects.
AI Partnership and Landmark Defence Contract
The Kuwait Investment Authority formally joined the “Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership,” an international initiative involving major global partners including MGX, Microsoft, BlackRock, and Global Infrastructure Partners. This strategic move integrates Kuwait into a broader AI ecosystem that will shape infrastructure and innovation across borders.
The defence highlight of the visit was the signing of a monumental naval contract between Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence and the UAE’s EDGE Group. The deal — valued at several billion dirhams — involves the supply of multiple “FALAJ 3”-class missile boats. Representing one of the most valuable naval shipbuilding exports globally, this contract underscores growing defence industry ties in the Gulf region.
EDGE Group, which will serve as the prime contractor, will manage the vessels’ design, construction, trials, logistics, and support services. Its subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), will be the subcontracted shipbuilder. The FALAJ 3-class, already in use by the UAE Navy, is tailored for littoral defence and integrates advanced combat systems, reaffirming EDGE’s position as a global leader in naval solutions.
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, highlighted the agreement’s strategic weight: “This deal is a testament to the trust and strength of our regional partnerships and EDGE’s growing stature in delivering complex naval capabilities globally.”
Looking Ahead
The comprehensive suite of agreements marks a significant milestone in UAE-Kuwait relations. With new frameworks for joint projects and accelerated cooperation across vital sectors, the two nations are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Gulf regional partnerships — from high-tech infrastructure to advanced defence collaboration.
The visit of Sheikh Mansour and the resulting deals not only reflect shared ambitions but also set the stage for a transformative chapter in regional diplomacy, economic resilience, and technological progress.
