Kuwait

The United Nations Country Team in Kuwait

Currently, Dr. Adam Abdelmoula (Sudan) is the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Kuwait

The United Nations Country Team in Kuwait works together to support the Government of Kuwait in meeting its national development goals, which were recently summarized by the Council of Ministers in the following 'Strategic Vision of Kuwait':

"Kuwait is a financial and commercial center, attractive to investors, where the private sector is leading the economy, creating competition and promoting efficiency, under the umbrella of enabling government institutions, which accentuate values, safeguard social identity, and realize human resource development as well as balanced development, providing adequate infrastructure, modern legislation and inspiring business environment."

In line with its expertise, the United Nations Country Team in Kuwait focuses in particular on supporting Kuwait institutions on the 'human' side of the development agenda, by prioritizing activities that can make an impact not just on how much economic wealth is generated, but also on how that economic wealth is mobilized and invested to better people’s quality of life through education, healthcare, and a vibrant and diversified private sector which provides attractive and sustainable job opportunities.

The United Nations Country Team members have grown in the past year with the addition of the World Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT), both of which opened resident offices in Kuwait in 2008.  These newest members of the Kuwait UNCT join the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization of Migration (IOM), all of which have been resident in Kuwait for many years.

The United Nations Country Team focuses on issues of common purpose where the agenda and scope of agencies' competencies coincide and where impact and development results can be greatly enhanced through common action. The two main themes for the UNCT in Kuwait in 2008 are promoting Gender Equality and promoting Fair Labour Policies and Practices. The Gender Thematic Group works together to ensure the mainstreaming of gender into the programmatic interventions and priorities of all of the agencies work in Kuwait and jointly sponsors national level advocacy and awareness raising events, such as the Family Law campaign conducted earlier in the year.  In the Labour area, the UN Country Team, through the representation of the International Organization of Migration, serves as a co-secretariat of bi-monthly labour meetings.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator leads the UN Country Team and is the designated representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for development operations. In the case of Kuwait, the United Nations Resident Coordinator is also the UNDP Resident Representative.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Annual Reports on Kuwait:

Annual Report 2008 for Kuwait - Narrative

Annual Report 2008 for Kuwait - Annexes

Please note that for best results print the Narrative on legal or A3 size paper.

Note: For previous years reports please refer to the United Nations Development Group.

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme,Dr. Adam Abdelmoula, UNDP Resident Representative, Kuwait.

UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Dr. Hanan Hamdan, Senior Liaison Officer and Head of Office, Kuwait.

IOM – International Organization of Migration, Mrs. Iman Ereiqat, Head of Office, Kuwait.

ILO – International Labour Organization, Mr. Thabet AL-HAROUN, Officer in Charge, Kuwait.

Due to its Net Contributor Country (NCC) status, the limited and specialized presence of UN Agencies in Kuwait, and the limited funding available to those agencies, the UNCT in Kuwait does not have a harmonized programming framework. Instead, the UNCT meets monthly to share programmatic developments and information, coordinate activities, and provide mutual support.

The UNCT works jointly as a team on issues of common interest, most notably, on labour and migrant worker issues. Team work includes joint UNCT meetings with relevant Ministers, and joint organization and conduct of training workshops on labour – related issues through pooling of agency expertise, knowledge and financial resources.

All UNCT agencies in Kuwait are now located at the United Nations House, built and donated by the Government of Kuwait, to show its appreciation and support to the United Nations. This extraordinary building opened in January 2009 and now hosts all of the resident agencies together in one place.

UNCT News

27 June to 1 July 2010

IOM held training course for Interior Ministry officials “Essential Migration Management”

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kuwait, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior (MoI), organized a training course for officials from different departments in the ministry. The course titled "Essentials of Migration Management" was held in the UN house in Mishref and was attended by the heads of UN Agencies in Kuwait, representatives of foreign diplomatic delegations and migration experts.

21 April 2010

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to the State of Kuwait

As part of a 10 days mission to all the six Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay and her accompanying delegation visited the State of Kuwait for the first time from 20th till 21st April 2010. This is the first visit ever of a High Commissioner for Human Rights to Kuwait. During her visit, Ms. Pillay met His Highness The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Nawwaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, The Speaker of Parliament HE.  Mr. Jassem Al-Kharafi, The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, The Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, HE. Mohammed Mohsen Al-Ifasi, The Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education HE. Ms. Moudi Abdul Aziz Al-Hmoud, as well as other Senior Officials. Ms. Pillay also attended a meeting on Wednesday 21st April 2010, with Civil Society Representatives organized by the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Kuwait office and facilitated by Dr. Ghanim Al-Najjar, Kuwaiti Expert  in Human Rights and a Professor of political Science at Kuwait University. Dr. Tarek El-Sheikh, the Chief of UN-Habitat and the Resident Coordinator (a.i) and the United Nations Country Team welcomed Ms. Pillay, her delegation and NGOs that attended the meeting. Civil Society Representatives had the opportunity to discuss with The High Commissioner a range of main human rights issues in Kuwait. For more information please go to www.ohchr.org

13 April 2010

UNDP Resident Representative visits the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to present his credentials

The Resident Representative of the United Nations development Programme in Kuwait, Dr. Adam Abdelmoula, met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammad Ahmed Al-Nasser Al-Sabah to present his credentials for his newly appointed role. During a short discussion, Sheikh Mohammad thanked the programme for their developmental efforts and achievements in the state of Kuwait, and encouraged more developmental projects that will benefit the Kuwaiti society.

11 April 2010

The President of the General Assembly visit to the UN House

As part of a tour to the GCC and Europe, Dr. Ali Abdussalam Al-Treki, President of the UN General Assembly visited the State  of Kuwait from 10th till 12th April 2010. During his visit Dr. Al-Treki met high level Kuwaiti Officials including HRH. The Amir of Kuwait, The Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Dr. Treki also visited the UN House where he met with the UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Adam Abdelmoula and the UNCT members. Dr. Al-Treki toured the UN Premises, a-state-of-the-art building donated by the Government of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations. He commended Kuwait for its generous contributions to the UN, especially its most recent $40 million donation to Haiti.

16 March 2010

Workshop on International Refugee law

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees held a workshop on 16 March 2010 titled “International Refugee Law” with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP. The UNDP Resident Representative and United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr. Salah Bourjini in the opening of this workshop drew the attention to the positive and important role that the high commissioner for refugees was playing in the humanitarian field since its establishment in 1950. He also added that the work of this UN agency shows constant progress and succeeded to get the public to the needs of this category of people, most of them living in refugee camps.

21 -22 February 2010

The Kuwait Municipal Dialogue Forum

UN Habitat-Kuwait, in partnership with the Kuwait Municipality organized a two day workshop entitled “Kuwait Municipal Dialogue” and sponsored by Dr. Fadel Ali Safar, Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs. The UNCT supported Dr. Tarek El Sheikh to have a successful opening ceremony and though out the event. A big number of high officials from the government of Kuwait as well as  NGOs, Embassies, Private Sector and the Mass Media attended the event . Our Resident Coordinator Dr. Salah Bourjini had a closing speech where he launched the joint programme on the Municipality between UNDP and UN-habitat.

20 February 2010

Sahar Resort Kuwait Contribution to Haiti Relief

Sahara Resort Kuwait announced an initiative among the their staff to collect donations to contribute to the relief efforts in the State of Haiti hit by the recent devastating earthquake claimed the lives of many of its residents. In order to achieve human communication, The General Director of Kuwait desert resort Hassan Baerli visited the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Kuwait, Dr. Salah Bourjini, to hand him over the amount of contributions. For his part, Dr. Bourjini praised this humanitarian initiative.

27 January 2010

Official visit of Mr. Ad Melkert, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq to Kuwait

The United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Kuwait and Mr. Raja the Chief of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq hosted a reception on the occasion of the official visit of Mr. Ad Melkert, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq to Kuwait at the UN House on 27 January 2010, Foreign Ambassadors, Government officials and the UNCT attended the cocktail reception.

Visit our Photo Gallery for more pictures on this event.

19 January 2010

Kuwait UNCT joined UN HQ and the United Nations system worldwide in a minute of silence in the wreath-laying ceremony to honor the victims of the earthquake in Haiti

11 January 2010

Workshop on Counter Trafficking Issues for the Judiciary Officials in Kuwait

IOM Office Kuwait organized 3 days workshop on Counter Trafficking Issues for the Judiciary Officials in Kuwait, The Resident Coordinator had an opening speech with the attendance of the Heads of UN agencies and the Director of Kuwait Institute of Judicial & Legal Studies,  the Dutch Ambassador, diplomatic missions & international Organizations accredited in Kuwait.  A number of media representatives was invited to cover the event.

Visit our Photo Gallery for more pictures on this event.

6 December 2009

IOM Kuwait holds five days training workshop on Training National Cadres to Qualify a Team of National Trainers

IOM Kuwait holds a five days training workshop  in Training National Cadres to Qualify a Team of National Trainers, sponsored by the Netherlands Embassy in Kuwait, in supporting the efforts of the Government of Kuwait for the protection of expatriate labor rights in the country and is financed by the Embassy of Netherlands in the State of Kuwait, the workshop was inaugurated by H.E Hamad Al Kandari, MSAL Undersecretary and Dr. Salah Bourjini, all UNCT Head of agencies, Foreign Ambassadors, high officials from Immigration Department in Ministry of Interior  and other related Ministries attended. The event was widely covered by the local media.

16 November 2009

UNDP Kuwait Remembers the Victims of Road Traffic Accidents

A ceremony was held in remembrance for the road traffic victims at United Nations World Program (UNDP) headquarters in Mishref. The event is celebrated annually (November 15) as the appropriate acknowledgment for victims of road traffic crashes and their families.  In his remarks, Dr Salah Bourjini, UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait noted that every road user, regardless of race and professions should be responsible for one's life in the road and should be part of the solution not as mere spectators. He added that one of the main causes of death for children aged between 10-24 is road traffic accidents. For adults in terms of the numbers killed, aged between 30-44, it is the third-most prevalent cause of death. He lauded Kuwait's National Strategic Plan drafted by the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait which seriously looks into the road- related problems and recommends specific actions to be taken. The plan includes renovation of main roads/highways, and utilizing the use of labor man-power. Visit our Photo Gallery for more pictures on this event.

25 October 2009

UN Day 2009 Celebration in Kuwait

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kuwait hosted a reception to mark the 64th anniversary of the United Nations' establishment on Sunday. The reception was held as part of a global series of events celebrating UN Day - the day when the United Nations was founded. A large number of dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors, journalists and representatives of various non-government organizations attended the event, which was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel. In his opening remarks, Salah Bourjini, the UNDP's Resident Representative in Kuwait, delivered a message from Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary General of the United Nations. Visit our Photo Gallery for more pictures on this event.

7 October 2009

Workshop on World Habitat Day opens in Kuwait 

Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipality Affairs Dr Fadhel Safar said yesterday his country faced the challenge of accommodating the growing demand for housing and infrastructure services to economic indicators. He made the remarks in a special message to the opening ceremony of a workshop entitled "Planning for the Future in the Arab Towns" here. The workshop is part of Kuwait's celebrations marking the Fifth World Habitat Day.

7 September 2009

Al-Khorafi Meets UNDP Delegation

Parliament Speaker JASSEM Mohammad Al-Khorafi, met Monday with head of the UNDP Dr. Salah Bourjini and Mrs. Sahar Al Shawa, Programme analyst. The meeting focused on UNDP's role in providing training to the National Assembly's employees. The meeting was attended by parliament's Assistant Undersecretary for training and development Mr. Abdulaziz Al Saai.

7 September 2009

The United Nations Family in Kuwait Participates in The First Embassy Football Championships Kicked Off

The first Embassy Football Championships kicked off on Monday evening at Qadsiya Sports Club's Fajhan Hilal Al-Mutairi indoor stadium, under the patronage of Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. The competition aims at providing the foreign diplomatic community and their families in Kuwait, a chance to experience the warm Ramadan spirit. There are a total of 26 teams taking part in the competition including 23 embassies and three representing Kuwaiti organizations. Visit our Photo Gallery for more pictures on this event.

31 August 2009

United Nations Employees in Kuwait gather in support of the Jahra fire Victims

In support of the victims and families affected by the disastrous fire in Jahra, and to share the sorrows and sadness of the community, the United Nations team in Kuwait has donated blood at their headquarters in Mishrif on 31 August 2009. Kuwait Central Blood Bank welcomed this effort, and provided their mobile unit for use at this event. Mr. Salah Bourjini, Officer in Charge at UNDP Kuwait stressed the United Nation's hope for the preservation of the country and its goal to work on projects dealing with Crisis prevention and recovery, as well as disaster management. Visit our Photo Gallery for more pictures on this event.

22 August 2009

Naeema Al-Ahmed: "I am proud of the achievements of Kuwaiti youth"

The "Friends of Life" team has organized an awareness campaign with the message of preserving our environment. The event named "Hello Environment" was held at the Gulf University for Science and Technology on 16 August 2009. Among the guests was Mr. Salah Bourjini, UNDP resident representative, who gave a speech on the importance of environmental sustainability and the work UNDP does towards achieving this goal. Shaikha Naeema Al-Sabah applauded the efforts of the students and volunteers and their role in helping the environment, as well as raising awareness and the community service they brought to Kuwait.

21 June 2009

Kuwait celebrates World Refugee Day in the new UN House

The event was attended by representatives from MOFA and MOI and covered by a big number of local media and TV broadcast. The event celebrated this year under the title "real people, real needs" was an opportunity in Mr. Wahid Ben Amor, Head of Kuwait UNHCR Office statement to focus on the situation of 42 million people uprooted worldwide as mentioned in UNHCR annual report. During the Event the following NGOs were awarded for their support to UNHCR inside and outside Kuwait: Kuwait Red Crescent Society, International Islamic Charitable Organization, Zakat House, Kuwaiti Association of the Basic Evaluators for Human Rights. Kuwait Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) was also honored for his assistance to UNHCR Basra office based in Kuwait since 2003. The ceremony was concluded with an art exhibition by Sinan Hussein an Iraqi artist, refugee in Kuwait.

28 April 2009

International Labor Organization celebrated its 90 years of existence

The Office of the ILO in Kuwait held a reception at the new United Nations House on the 28th April to celebrate 90 years since its inception. At the ceremony, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor H.E Bader Al Dowailah, the President of the General Union of Workers of Kuwait Mr. Khalid Al-Azmi, and the representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait Mr. Abdul-Aziz Filij, were present as well as a significant number of diplomatic corps and guests, and the support of the UNCT,  the event was headed by ILO representative in Kuwait Mr. Thaben Al Haroon. As Al Dowailah mentioned : Kuwait is linked to the ILO since 1961 and has since joined in many of the achievements made in labor legislation to enrich and upgrade the conditions and terms of employment, thanks to the sincere desire and will confident of achieving the objectives of the ILO in its Constitution and the Charter for Philadelphia the world is under the social justice.

17 February 2009

United Nations conduct a building evacuation exercise in Kheitan compound

It has taken place by coordination with local authorities (Fire Brigade and Operation Room of Interior Ministry). An ambulance, six fire trucks, police patrol and high ranking Police Officers were present to implement the planed scenario and to ensure the full performance of local authorities and UNAMI Security Guards to deal with the event.

DO Kuwait has addressed the gathering of the staff members and her pleasant of the well organized exercise. Read the media coverage below....

15 February 2009

International Organization for Migration (IOM) organize a Workshop on Enhancing Management of Temporary Foreign Labour

Within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue and in line with its key partnerships for development between countries of origin and destination, IOM Kuwait hosted a workshop on Enhancing Management of Temporary Foreign Labour in Kuwait: An Orientation Course for Government and Civil Society Representatives aimed to increase the knowledge of relevant Government and civil society representatives on the foundations of migration management, with a specific focus on the authority and responsibilities of states as well as the rights and obligations of mobile populations. The Workshop also aimed to provide a basis for enhanced cooperation and networking between the Government and civil society in light of the interactive dialogue that took place in Abu Dhabi. This workshop was funded by the British embassy and with support of UNCT in Kuwait. Read the media coverage below....

Briefing on IOM Kuwait workshop - IOM Kuwait workshop agenda - Participants' Recommendations

27 January 2009

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mrs. Valerie Cliff, attended the Diwaniya of Mrs. Najla Al Naqi, women's activist in Kuwait

Mrs. Al Naqi hosted a forum for the Croatian media delegation, led by senior editors of the Croatian television in an open discussion to share media experience with Kuwait media representatives. Read the media coverage below....

18 January 2009

Inauguration of the New United Nations House in Kuwait

The official inauguration of the new United Nations house was held on Sunday, January 18, 2009. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah joined the United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon for this occasion. They shared in a special ribbon cutting ceremony at the traditional Kuwaiti doors entrance followed by a walk through tour of the building. Visit our Photo Gallery for more pictures on this event. Read the media coverage below....