Achievements and Efforts of His Highness, the Amir of Kuwait Since December 31, 1977

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah succeeded Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as the AMIR of Kuwait on December 31, 1977, becoming the thirteenth Amir of the Al-Sabah Family and the third Kuwaiti Amir since its independence.

Paying homage is a convention of Kuwaitis and their AMIR. It is a key principle of democratic rule that the AMIR must be approved by both the ruling family and the citizens.




Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah takes the oath to assume Amir of Kuwait


In accordance with constitutional procedures, his Highness was sworn in at the Masila Palace before The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

Meeting officials and other people is a AMIR's duty:

His Highness realized that the first step after being sworn in should be establishing direct contact with the citizens at both public and official levels, because their problems could only be solved by personal contact.

Following the official mourning period for the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, His Highness had delivered a speech in which he attempted to point out to all Kuwaitis the framework of Kuwait’s future under his reign.




His Highness Amir of Kuwait speaking with the natives of Kuwait


In these following meetings, His Highness wanted to know their reactions to the future plans he had mentioned in his speech.

His Highness visited the citizens in their houses and thus, everyone had a chance to speak with His Highness and ask him questions in a democratic friendly atmosphere, and he, in turn, was able to determine the country’s conditions and problems. His Highness was also eager to emphasize solidarity, consolidation and fraternity among all Kuwaitis.

In addition, he met with the Kuwaiti Armed Forces and police officers as well as members and officials of public service associations. He also met with the founders of civilian community organizations.

His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad's vision in leading society:

First: Social Thought and Justice

His Highness carefully studied the social changes experienced by Kuwaiti society after the discovery of oil, the influx of Arab and other foreign labor to help build Kuwait, the travel abroad of Kuwaitis for work, tourism and education abroad.

Such openness deeply influenced life in Kuwait. Small families replaced large ones; laws replaced customs and traditions; and young Kuwaiti women traveled for the first time for studying abroad.




His Highness Amir of Kuwait communicating with the Kuwaiti students abroad


These aspects changed the one-on-one Kuwaiti society into a new one governed by rules and regulations under state authorities.

His Highness’s thoughts and instructions on society that topped national work priorities in the dawn of the renaissance in Kuwait can be summed up as follows:

The future of coming generations has been of great concern to His Highness. Therefore, he decided to establish a fund for the coming generations where state revenues and investments would be saved to ensure the people’s welfare. This idea was embodied by a Royal Decree issued on November 28, 1976. This idea was a clear vision of the future because it served tremendously in facing the outcome of the Iraqi attack and ensured a good standard of living for Kuwaitis.
His Highness has always sought to eliminate illiteracy in Kuwait, because he believed that this would be the only means for achieving development. Therefore, his campaign to eliminate illiteracy resulted in issuing a Decree to enact a law on August 23, 1981, that stipulated education and literacy shall be compulsory.
Following Kuwait's independence, the concept of social welfare was repeatedly stressed on every occasion. The Amir's thoughts covered education, good health and other humanitarian and social matters.

This concept extended to include family and other related social issues. According to His Highness, education stands for modern technology, Kuwait's future, endless capital, and job opportunities. Therefore, Kuwait Constitution confirmed such concepts.



His Highness Amir of Kuwait's visit to the Social Care Complex


This comprehensive thought extended to other aspects of society exemplified in his call to establish national associations by which people would be able to serve their nation. It is worth mentioning that Kuwaiti women have played an important role in this voluntary work. In addition, the Amir has paid particularly great attention to mothers, children, youth, the elderly and those with special needs.

Second: Economic and Development Thought

The Amir can be described as the founder of Kuwaiti economic policy since he ruled the oil fields in 1949. The stamp of his vision for the future could be seen in the state's economic development at both local and international levels. At the local level, it was His Highness who thought of distributing the state's wealth among citizens and creating different sources of income, instead of depending solely on oil revenues.



His Highness Amir of Kuwait planting a tree to pave the way for establishing a developing project


At the international level, His Highness submitted four proposals to the Summit of Non-Aligned Countries in September 1989, concerning the debts of poor nations and their interest. In his speech before the United Nations in session No. 33, His Highness repeatedly called for a fair economic and humanitarian system, stressing the fact that the increase debt by the developing countries of the south to the northern countries hinders the development of these countries. This call was regarded as an official UN document and later became a part of the Caracas Declaration.

His Highness's economic theory was internationally approved and welcomed by world leaders, the United Nations and other international organizations, particularly those concerned with economics.

Third: Political Thought

Following its independence, and joining the League of Arab States and the United Nations, Kuwait adopted a well-defined policy at both local and international levels.



His Highness Amir of Kuwait at the Nonalignment Summit 1989


Moderation became Kuwait's strategy in foreign affairs that enabled it to establish good relationships with other countries all over the world. This was directly reflected in support for Kuwait during the Iraqi occupation in 1990. Hence, Kuwait occupied a distinguished position among both Arab and foreign countries in terms of its policies.

1. Gulf States:

Kuwait has never lost faith in achieving unity among Arab Gulf States because common customs, culture and fate tie these nations together and engender such consolidation.

Since the early 1950's, Kuwait has been working hard to embody this. The first step it took in this regard was by cooperating with the Gulf States and providing them with technical assistance. Hence, a Kuwaiti authority was established in 1953 under the title "Arabian Gulf and Southern Authority".

Twenty-eight years later, from May 25-26, 1981, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, witnessed the establishment of the first regional Gulf organization, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that marked a turning point in the history of the region and an embodiment of the objectives of the coming generations.

During the first session of the GCC, the leaders of the member states signed the basic policy of the council. They approved the establishment of the council, and the internal system of the Higher Council.



His Highness Amir of Kuwait at seventeenth session of the Supreme Council of Gulf Cooperation Council


The Higher Council represents the higher authority of the GCC, which together with the Ministerial Council, are among its three main bodies.

In session No. 17 of the GCC that was convened in Qatar from September 7-9, 1996, His Highness suggested establishing the Popular Consultation Council as auxiliary to the GCC. This was due to His Highness’s belief in the importance of the people’s role and the necessity of their presence in the council. This suggestion was welcomed and approved by all the GCC leaders.

In session No. 18 of the council that was held in Kuwait from September 20-22, 1997, the participation of the people in supporting the Higher Council was discussed. The discussion resulted in a decision mentioned in the final communiqué of the GCC that reasserts the role of the citizens in effect progress in the member states. Consequently, the Public Consultation Authority was established from among experienced and skilled citizens of the GCC member states to discuss the issues referred to it by the GCC. The Public Consultation Council was established in the same year and was composed of five members from each member state. Kuwait headed the first session and was represented by Mr. Abdullah Yaqoub Bishara, the former Secretary General of the GCC.

2. Arab States:

His Highness paid great attention to Arab issues. They always topped his political agenda especially during the political crises witnessed by Arabs, such as the 1956 War, 1967 setback and the 1973 October War.

His Highness was always concerned about the Palestinian issue regarding its political, economic and social aspects, and rejecting any bargaining on it. His Highness has always taken pride in the Palestine Liberation Movement as a global one. He believed in the human right to live and restore what had been stolen from him. His Highness was eager to raise the Palestinian issue on any national or international occasion particularly during his chairmanship of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (the fifth session in Kuwait in 1987); when he was able to address leaders and nations on behalf of millions of Muslims all over the world and call upon them to solve this issue and help Palestinians regain their land and return to their country. This was mainly due to His Highness’s deep sympathy for the Palestinian suffering and his great concern for maintaining Arab solidarity.

In addition, His Highness always attends the Arab summits and plays a key role in handling the scheduled Arab issues to ease tensions and provide financial and spiritual support.

Due to all his great efforts on behalf of the Arabs, His Highness was chosen as the “Distinguished Arab Figure” in a poll conducted by the Arab Center for Information and Public Opinion Research of 10,000 Arab citizens and immigrants to the United States, Europe, Australia and Japan, in December 1989.

On June 2, 1990, His Highness was awarded the Arab Public Opinion Decoration of the first class at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Cairo upon being chosen from among ten effective world leaders who have made great achievements at international, Islamic and Arab levels in an international poll.

3. Islamic States:

The idea of holding Islamic meetings on the basis of Islamic Arab work was suggested a long time ago. All Islamic organizations and figures concerned called for holding these meetings and establishing an international Islamic organization in quest of unity among Arab and Islamic nations to serve and maintain their mutual interests.



His Highness was among those who called for the establishment of Islamic organizations to aid Muslims everywhere



His Highness Amir of Kuwait heading the fifth session of the Islamic Conference

When the Al-Aqsa Mosque was set on fire, all Muslims hastened to convene the first summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference in Rabat from September 22-25, 1969, which was attended by leaders and representatives of Islamic nations.

His Highness was also greatly concerned with the activities of other Islamic states to be embodied as a new entity at the international level. In 1980, His Highness called for establishing an Islamic Court of Justice approved by all Muslims. This came as an attempt to maintain the Islamic identity apart from the International Court of Justice, especially with regard to putting an end to struggles and disputes among Muslims. This idea was approved by the ambassadors of Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, Mauritania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Kuwait.

On September 22, 1988, His Highness visited France and New York on behalf of one billion Muslims. In New York, he delivered a speech before the UN General Assembly in session No. 43 in his capacity as Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

In his speech, His Highness proposed a three-item draft resolution to help relieve the foreign dept burdening developing nations, which has become a means to pressure these poor southern countries.

His Highness also called for establishing a new economic system of humanitarian assistance, combating terrorism and supporting the lawful right to defend oneself and his nation.

This historic and comprehensive speech drew the attention of news agencies and was broadcast with a focus on the issues it discussed. These issues included the debts of developing countries, nuclear and chemical wastes disposed of by developed countries in the developing ones and the relationship between the north and the south.

4. International Relationships:

His Highness was concerned with international issues as well as local ones. His Highness’s philosophy was based on the fact that international issues should be regarded from an overall point of view because, no matter how such issues differ, their repercussions would have negative effects on the world as a whole in terms of economics and politics. This was clearly reflected in the initiatives and proposals submitted by His Highness to international forums. Hence, His Highness aimed at establishing communication channels for understanding among all states in order to avoid war and its calamities.



His Highness Amir of Kuwait among the chairmen of Islamic countries delegations at the 43 session of the UN General Assembly


The following is but an example of His Highness’s efforts in handling international issues from a practical point of view, maintaining the dignity and sovereignty of each nation, protecting humanity and spreading peace all over the world.

In his first tour as the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness visited 6 Asian countries in December 1980, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. During his talks with the leaders of theses countries, His Highness tackled economic, political, financial and investment issues in order to expand the scope of cooperation.

His Highness called for establishing a number of mosques, schools, hospitals and oil wells in Pakistani villages as a grant from Kuwait to Pakistan. He also planted a tree in a mountainous area.

On March 8, 1983, His Highness called upon the Non-Allied countries Movement to intensify its efforts to put an end to the armed dispute between Iraq and Iran. In his words before the Non- Allied countries seventh summit, His Highness said, “the success of the movement in putting an end to this dispute has proved the efficiency of its efforts.” He also called for preventing Israeli expansion in Arab territories, and supporting Palestinians in being restored to their country.

On January 24, 1987, in a speech on the occasion of UN Day, His Highness expressed his full support to the United Nations as well as his hopes that all its bodies and organizations would manage all the major tasks assigned to them. He added that Kuwait totally abides by the principles of the UN Charter and international law that governs relationships between major and minor countries.

On August 26, 1988, His Highness delivered a speech before the UN, on behalf of Kuwait and the Organization of Islamic Conference, on Namibia’s National Day. In this speech, His Highness urged all countries to continue their efforts to solve the Palestinian issue, which threatens world security. He further maintained that all countries should unify their efforts to help the oppressed nations of in Palestine, Namibia and others restore their dignity.

On September 28, 1988, he proved that small countries are able to voice the truth. This came in his words before the UN General Assembly in which he referred to distress found in the Arab, Islamic and the Third World countries.

In addition, His Highness spoke about Kuwait’s long suffering from terrorism. He laid down differences between terrorism and the lawful right to self-defense, and warned against misunderstanding these two concepts. His Highness also pointed out the wide gap between northern and southern states, confirming that the international economy is endangered by the world debt crisis. In this respect, His Highness suggested an overall view where rich countries should relieve poorer countries of their debts. His Highness also called for a new humanitarian economic system.

This historical speech, delivered before the 43rd session of the UN General Assembly during His Highness’s chairmanship of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, was translated and broadcast by international news agencies, particularly in the east. It was also broadcast in the Third World and Arab states that were concerned with the critical issues related to the disposal of nuclear and chemical wastes in the Third World countries by industrialized states.

A soviet comment on the Amir’s speech was: “It was such a balanced speech that it proved that Kuwait and its AMIR are quite respected and trusted among the Arab and Islamic states”.

Furthermore, Commissioner General of the European Commission, Claude Seychon, praised the initiative of the Amir concerning the unpaid debts of the Third World.

In addition, Mr. Martin Walters, the US Permanent Representative to the UN reported, “The USA will carefully consider the Amir’s plan, particularly, the dialogue between the North and South.” He added, “It will be a great pleasure to discuss this suggestion as His Highness is such an important and reasonable person”.

Fourth: Humanitarian and Democratic Thought

1. Democracy:

“The constitution that has been issued is but a written record of already-existing Kuwaiti customs, as democracy has always been the basis of rule in Kuwait”.

These were the words of the late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the eleventh AMIR of Kuwait. They sum up the history of democracy in Kuwait. Despite the absence of any constitutional councils or authorities, the ruling system in Kuwait has always been based on democracy.

The AMIR represents the executive authority, while Kuwaiti customs and traditions represent the legislative authority. The principle of consultation necessitates taking people’s opinions into consideration; the AMIR never enacts a law without referring to Kuwaiti customs and Islamic Sharia.

In 1921, during the reign of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the first Consultation Council was established. This was the first attempt to establish consultation-based rule and identify the relationship between the AMIR and the people.

In 1930, the first Municipal Council was established. The first Education Council was also established in 1936. In 1938, members of the first Legislative Council were elected. In addition, a simplified national document that reflected actual life then, was issued.

Thus, it is evident that democracy and consultation have been the pillars of Kuwaiti rule and not just an innovation of the independence era.

There can be no doubt that a new era began with the rule of the late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. In 1961, Kuwait achieved its independence, and issued its constitution in 1962. This constitution, which is an embodiment of all Kuwaiti practices and politics, was made law in 1963, the same year that members of the first National Assembly were elected.

His Highness, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, coped with all on-going changes. His policy on maintaining a democratic life and public freedoms, was beyond all doubt. On each occasion, His Highness affirmed that democratic and consultation-based rule is the basis of all political, social and economic decisions.

2. Human Rights:

For decades, Kuwait has always been eager to respect human rights on the basis of Islamic Sharia, the Qur’an and Sunna. Kuwait Constitution endorses this policy. Article 29 stipulates that, “All people are equal in dignity, rights and general duties, regardless of their race, origin, language or religion”.



His Highness Amir of Kuwait in one of his tours to the Kuwait Club for Deaf


Article 30 stipulates that, “Personal liberty is guaranteed”. Article 31 stipulates that, “No person shall be arrested, detained, searched or compelled to reside in a specified place, nor shall the residence of any person or his liberty to choose his place of residence or his liberty of movement be restricted, except in accordance with the provisions of law”.

It also stipulates that: ”No person shall be subjected to torture or to degrading treatment.”

In its session on October 24, 1992, the Kuwait National Assembly established a parliamentary committee on human rights. It included seven members. The Assembly was concerned with humanitarian issues as a key pillar of modern countries governed by law and justice.

His Highness’s concern for human rights extended to the international community. All his speeches before international forums, especially the UN, have always referred to the means of combating racial discrimination and segregation. He has repeatedly called for the liberation of people and defending them against any injustice.

During His Highness’s reign, Kuwait took many steps to support human rights by signing many international agreements against all forms of racial discrimination, such as the International Declaration of Human Rights and two International Conventions of Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

3. Institutional Thought:

In the early 1930’s, Kuwait witnessed the foundation of many establishments. This was considered a practical application of people’s thoughts and theories. His Highness was eager to closely follow up the achievements of these establishments especially since he had previously headed the Council of Planning and managed it successfully.

When he came to power, His Highness founded cultural and scientific establishments under the Amiri Diwan to help conduct any studies and research, and direct decision-makers toward proper decisions. These establishments included: Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, Kuwait Institute for Studies and Research, Martyr's Office, Social Development Office and the Higher Consultation Committee for Complementing the Application of Islamic Sharia.

In addition, His Highness was among those who called for the foundation of more national and voluntary authorities, paving the way for them to play a key role in Kuwait in the transformation process from a simple community into an advanced one. These authorities achieved historic success in supporting the national resistance, Kuwaiti legislation, political leaders and national unity. The decisions, issued by the Kuwait Popular Conference in Jeddah in October 1990, voiced the feelings and thoughts of Kuwaitis and their official and national authorities and assemblies. This national stance was the outcome of his Highness’s philosophy to support these authorities and helping them realize their goals.

4. Administration Philosophy:

This has been reflected in his interest in the change taking place among Kuwaiti administrative structures, and holding meetings with officials from planning sectors. Plans for administrative reform and development topped His Highness’s priorities. Hence, His Highness’s instructions paved the way for administrative development in Kuwait.

In this respect, His Highness prepared an agenda for all his instructions, recommendations and thoughts. He has always been eager to:

- develop public service systems;
- enact new laws required for comprehensive development plans;
- simplify the work systems in governmental departments, particularly those which deal directly with the public;
- establish an administrative authority to unveil all the negatives to correct them; and
- hold meetings with senior officials in the country.

Concerning the administrative sector, His Highness was concerned with organizing local administration by establishing new independent governorates to meet the requirements and developments of each, and cooperate with the civilian community
authorities.