The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nations to strengthen development cooperation and joint work on community-focused projects in Kuwait.

The MoU was signed at the Fund’s headquarters by Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Development Waleed Al-Bahr and the UN Secretary-General’s Representative and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, Ghada AlTaher. It establishes a framework for technical cooperation and bilateral collaboration in line with the objectives, competencies, policies, and procedures of both parties.

Speaking after the signing, Al-Bahr told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that he was proud to formalize the partnership with the United Nations, represented by the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, describing it as a reflection of the Fund’s commitment to promoting comprehensive development and supporting the priorities of the State of Kuwait.

He said the MoU provides for cooperation on a range of community projects focused on human capital development in the Kuwaiti labor market. The partnership will initially be activated through a project titled “The Joint United Nations Proposal in Kuwait: Promoting Inclusive Employment and Empowerment,” which he said underscores the Fund’s commitment to employment support and economic empowerment while contributing to sustainable development.

Al-Bahr added that the agreement represents an important step toward advancing comprehensive development in Kuwait, reflecting a shared desire with the United Nations to achieve positive and lasting impact, particularly in the areas of employment and economic empowerment.

For her part, AlTaher expressed deep appreciation for the Kuwait Fund’s continued commitment to partnership and development cooperation with the United Nations, as well as its support for multilateral action at the global level. She told KUNA that the agreement reflects confidence in the UN’s role as a reliable partner with a comprehensive vision and global operational capacity, while working locally in Kuwait in full alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035.

She described the partnership as a significant milestone in leveraging the Kuwait Fund’s global development expertise within the country, translating shared priorities into tangible, human-centered outcomes that will positively impact Kuwaiti society. AlTaher noted that the MoU adds a new chapter to the long history of bilateral cooperation between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the United Nations in Kuwait.

In a press release, KFAED announced that it has provided a grant to help finance projects approved under the MoU, supporting the efforts of UN organizations operating in Kuwait. The Fund said the agreement covers cooperation on community projects targeting specific groups, as well as broader technical initiatives implemented jointly by both sides.

The MoU also provides for regular consultations to coordinate events and activities, particularly in countries where both parties implement programs and projects, while respecting each party’s objectives and policies. It allows for the exchange of publications and studies, participation in forums, seminars, and workshops of mutual interest, and the negotiation of separate agreements for specific projects and activities.

Both sides will work to ensure prior coordination on all joint activities to achieve a coherent and effective partnership across various engagements.