Country Profile

A member of both the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the GCC, Kuwait is arguably the most politically dynamic in the Gulf, which has afforded it strong foundations to help tackle recent issues concerning parliamentary elections and accountability. By continuing with economic diversification efforts and reducing dependence on oil revenues, it is also adding increased momentum to several large infrastructure projects, which will help further integrate Kuwait into the global economy. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, on the importance of addressing regional security within the GCC; and interviews with Marzouq Ali Al Ghanim, Speaker, Kuwait National Assembly; Abdul Latif Al Zayani, Secretary-General, GCC; and Tobias Ellwood, MP and Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.