I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome I have received since my arrival in Kuwait and for the positive engagement your publications have afforded me. As I reflect on my first three months here, I am honoured to be part of a partnership that spans more than two and a half centuries. What has struck me since I arrived is how much weight this connection carries and how it resonates with people here.

Our bilateral relationship has always been grounded in trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to stability. Today, more than 125 years since the first formal diplomatic treaty, this relationship continues to thrive. What began as a partnership for protection and trade has evolved into a dynamic alliance focused on investment, innovation, education, and sustainability. This shared history is not merely a record of the past - it is a powerful foundation for the future, enabling the UK and Kuwait to navigate global challenges together and build a partnership defined by resilience, progress, and shared prosperity.

The human dimension of this partnership remains, for me, one of its greatest strengths. Kuwaitis and Britons alike have found homes, friendships, and success in each other’s countries, and I am immensely proud to now be one of them. Thousands of Kuwaitis travel to the UK each year, with many students enriching our universities and returning with world-class expertise essential to Kuwait’s future. Education and knowledge exchange will continue to support the long-term development goals of both nations.

Kuwait’s vision for its future outlines a path toward diversification, talent development, and a more vibrant private sector. In parallel, the UK’s Industrial Strategy prioritises advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital transformation, AI, life sciences, and high-value services. These agendas complement each other closely and create opportunities for deeper cooperation between our governments, private sectors, and people.

A key aim of my mission will be to strengthen these connections. The UK is not only a destination for shopping, restaurants and investment opportunities, but also a partner for innovation and co-creation. By aligning our strengths, ambitions, and strategies, both countries can build a partnership fit for the modern era—defined by investment, innovation, and shared prosperity.

In the new year, I look forward to working closely with you to share these stories and opportunities with your readers, and to continue fostering understanding and collaboration between our nations. For now, I wish you and your readership a peaceful end to 2025 and wonderful beginning of the new year.   

With my highest regards,

Qudsi Rasheed OBE

British Ambassador to Kuwait