04/08/2025
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04/08/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: The Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, has announced new regulatory measures for charitable associations in Kuwait with the publication of Ministerial Resolution No. 183 of 2025. These new rules supersede the previous regulations under Ministerial Resolution No. 48/A of 2015.
The new regulatory framework aims to regulate better the establishment, management, and oversight of charitable associations, introducing stricter guidelines and penalties for non-compliance. As outlined in the regulations, charitable organizations must meet seven specific conditions to be established and recognized by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Seven conditions for establishing charitable associations
Article 5 of the new regulations sets forth the following conditions:
- Citizenship and Age Requirements: Founders and active members of the General Assembly must be Kuwaiti citizens aged 21 or older, while members of the Board of Directors must be at least 30 years old.
- Minimum Number of Founders: At least 10 individuals must serve as founders, and none of them should have a criminal history involving felony convictions, dishonesty, or crimes against honor unless their reputation has been fully restored.
- Commitment to Association’s Objectives: The founders must demonstrate their commitment to the objectives for which the association was formed.
- Financial and Operational Independence: The founders must declare that they will not seek financial aid from the Ministry or request a headquarters for the association.
- Social Responsibility: The association must address a recognized gap in the local community's welfare needs.
- Promotion of National Unity: The founders must commit to not engaging in activities that promote sectarianism, tribalism, or political and religious disputes.
- Non-Profit Purpose: The association’s primary goal must be charitable work, not financial gain.
Under the new regulations, the Ministry of Social Affairs will exercise continuous supervision over registered charitable associations. Ministry inspectors are granted the authority to visit the associations at any time, review their records, and ensure compliance with the law. If violations are found, the Ministry has the authority to issue formal citations.
The regulations also specify penalties for associations that fail to adhere to the established legal framework. If an association is found in violation of the law, it will be notified and given one week to rectify the issue. If the violation persists, the Ministry will suspend all accounts associated with the organization until the issue is resolved.
Further penalties include the suspension of an association's registration for serious or repeated violations, failure to submit annual reports for two consecutive years, or providing false financial data to mislead the Ministry.
Dissolution of charitable associations
In extreme cases, the Ministry can propose to dissolve an association to the Council of Ministers, which may approve the dissolution in the following circumstances:
- The membership of the association drops below the required minimum.
- The association is unable to meet its financial obligations.
- The association engages in activities that are outside its original objectives or violates its internal bylaws.
- The association fails to conduct meaningful work towards its charitable goals.
- Public interest or security demands the dissolution of the association.
These new regulations are designed to improve the transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of charitable associations operating in Kuwait. Dr. Al-Huwailah emphasized that the goal of the regulation is to ensure that charitable organizations are fulfilling their intended purpose, with full oversight to protect public interest.
Charitable associations are also required to obtain written approval from the Ministry before engaging in any public fundraising activities, accepting donations, or modifying their operational structures.
These regulatory changes represent a significant step in enhancing the governance and operational transparency of charitable organizations, ensuring that they contribute positively to Kuwait’s social welfare while upholding a high standard of accountability.
