KUWAIT: Kuwait is
amidst national celebrations, with the 58th anniversary of ending the British
protection and declaring independence being on June 19, 1961. Yet, the current
National Day; February 25th, concurs with the 28th Anniversary of Liberation
(February 26th) and 13th Anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah assumption of post (January 29th). The independence
document was signed by the then Amir late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah,
the 11th ruler of Kuwait.

Kuwait celebrated
the National Day once on June 19, 1962; however, the occasion was pushed back
to February 25 the following year to coincide with the now defunct throne
sitting celebration. In 1962, Kuwait took the first step towards formulating
the constitution with the establishment of a founding committee tasked with
writing the draft constitution. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem approved the document
in November of the same year. Kuwait entered the legislative period through the
first elections held on January 23, 1963.

Since
independence, Kuwait took the path of a balanced national and foreign policies
aimed at achieving welfare and development to the Kuwaiti people and also
bolstering cooperation with neighbors in the region as well as friends around
the world. While Kuwait continues to play a pivotal role regionally and
internationally, the people of the country rely wholesomely on the guidelines
and wise policies set by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Through his
efforts on the national level, His Highness the Amir focused on envisioning
plans that would lead to the overall development of Kuwait. On October 10, 2018
His Highness the Amir patronized the second Kuwait Achievers for Future
Opportunities (KAFO) conference. KAFO is an initiative by Al-Diwan Al-Amiri in
collaboration with the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs. His Highness the
Amir economic development vision aims at transforming Kuwait into a regional
and international center for finance and business.

Several finalized
projects became known thanks to His Highness the Amir including the Sabah
Al-Ahmad Sea City, Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center (ASCC), Kuwait Motor City
(KMC), the Jahra Medical City, the Kuwait International Airport's Terminal 4
(T4), and Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital. On the foreign policy level, His Highness
the Amir always focused on building bridges of understanding and peace amongst
the nation of the world to achieve overall prosperity for everyone.

His Highness the
Amir is also known for his humanitarian stance both on the national and
international levels. On February 18, 2018, His Highness the Amir paid out the
debts of nationals and expatriates residing in prison as part of the national
celebrations. On February 19, His Highness the Amir also issued a decree to
cover the financial expenses of orphans in Kuwait. Internationally, His
Highness the Amir was honored by the UN as a global humanitarian leader and
Kuwait was recognized as an international hub for humanitarian work as a result
of his efforts. - KUNA