The main objective of this study is to assess sustainability trends and dynamics of the private sector in Kuwait with a particular focus on its oil and financial industries, in line with the global agendas of sustainable development. Comprehending SDG adoptions and applications facilitates a broader understanding of current progress and developments in both industries that pave a path toward Kuwait’s Vision 2035. In the face of adversity and a global health crisis, this analysis measures the resilience of Kuwait’s key industries while also addressing development trajectory and governance structures that enable vast growth and success in sectors that lead the nation’s economy. The methodological approach employed in the study involves text mining tools and features of Business Intelligence (BI) to determine word frequencies of SDG keywords in recent oil and financial industry annual reports. Keywords based on each of 17 SDG goals were identified and systematic mapping assessment was conducted through NVivo and Python software to determine most recurrent sustainability related terms. Following software applications for keyword frequency count and identification, phrases containing sustainability key terms were classified to further analyze the central context, thereby drawing conclusory statements. Analytical interpretations of BI assessment results indicate that major oil companies focus their efforts on health, partnerships, sustainability, and innovation which correspond to SDGs 3, 17, 11, and 9 respectively. As such, maintaining efficient business operations and oil production to ensure local and global oil market needs are fulfilled would be fundamental for Kuwait’s oil industry and economy. Despite a global health crisis, the oil industries are significantly concerned with employee health, safety, and wellbeing, while promoting innovation and developing and embracing unique ideas and approaches supported and reinforced its competitive leadership position. Essential for its continuous progression, in stages of uncertainty, the sector sustained long lasting partnerships to support strategic growth and enhance operational performance. To demonstrate commitment, contribution, and responsibility towards Kuwait’s economy and sustainable development, oil companies made concerted efforts to integrate sustainability practices to promote environmental and natural resource preservation. As for the financial sector, BI assessment can be interpretated with its emphasis on the importance of health, partnerships, sustainability, innovation, and education, consistent with SDGs 3, 17, 11, 9, and 4 respectively. In spite of abrupt changes in the workplace environment, financial and banking institutions thrived at ensuring successful continuity of business operations, prioritizing employee and client health and wellbeing, and delivering innovative banking solutions and services. To ensure long term stability, and success in the industry, training and education is essential in all levels of the business hierarchy. Furthermore, in embracing recent dynamics of rapid digitalization, the financial and banking industries’ partnerships with fintech companies transformed the industry by enabling implementation of modern technology tools to accommodate innovative digital trends. By adopting plans to develop strategic partnerships with leaders in digital financial products and services all the way to remaining committed to ESG standards and promoting sustainable economic development, generating positive change to stakeholders and communities was key to the continued success of top institutions in the nation. In short, the overall implications from the BI assessment can reveal that amongst the SDGs pivotal to the progression of Kuwait’s private oil sector, forming and maintaining local and global partnerships are key to the sectors to be competitive. In this context, strengthening the leading position of oil companies would require the government’s efforts on shaping institutional architecture that can promote joint strategic partnerships efforts between oil industry corporations and the government authority responsible for partnership projects (e.g. KAPP). With regards to the financial and banking industry, the rise of digitalization and fintech centered the sectors focus on innovation. Accordingly, national partnership coordination mechanism can be established to promote techno-logical and scientific innovation (e.g. KFAS) in application to financial and banking institutions. Integrating the education and sustainability dimensions of emphasis, the government would need to collaborate with these two industries (but not limited to) to establish vocational training framework, that is a demand driven environment in the light of lifelong learning and future of work.

Foreword by the Unite Nations Resident Coordinator a.i On behalf of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Kuwait, I am pleased to present the One UN Results Report
for the year 2022. This report contains a snapshot of the collective results of all UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in Kuwait and highlights how the UN in Kuwait is supporting the Government
and people of Kuwait to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 for
Sustainable Development in line with the country’s national development plan aspirations. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Government of Kuwait for its continued commitment
to continue offering solutions to stay on track to achieving the sustainable development goals. We thank our host government for their trust and partnership translated through a unique and strategic collaboration across various thematic areas ranging from education, women and girls, persons living with disabilities, health, partnerships, and climate action. I acknowledge the invaluable support of our development and humanitarian partners for the great collaboration in coordinating the response plan, notably. Including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and
Development (GSSCPD), the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry
of Social Affairs, Public Authority for Manpower, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, private sector and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local and international communities among others. Last year saw an increased engagement with
youth as drivers of change which was evidenced in the commemoration of the UN day with the theme of
Youth Driving Ambition for Climate Action. As we turn our attention to 2023, we look forward to the opportunities and challenges and remain focused.
to work on the UN promise of Leaving No One Behind. We will continue working with all stakeholders and will continue working with all stakeholders and will strive to bring us all closer together, in solidarity, to
advance Kuwaiti’s national development agenda and the SDGs in the country.
Dr. Assad Hafeez
UN Resident Coordinator a.i
 

At the center of Climate Action, Youth are Agents of Change. The past decades have seen a proliferation of climate- and environment-related events and disasters that have had an adverse effect on people and the planet. The increased intensity of these occurrences has been felt across all continents in one form or another. Whether it is the current drought in the Horn of Africa, Madagascar and parts of the Middle East, flooding in Asia, wildfires, and extreme temperatures in GCC, Europe, Pakistan, India, Australia, and the Americas. Today, the global population of young people aged 15 to 24 years stands at 1.2 billion and is expected to grow by 7 per cent by 2030. This puts this population at the center of all efforts aimed at reducing the adverse impacts of climate change, since science predicts the same will be the generations that will face the peak of climate impacts even with a successful temperature cap at 1.5°C. This makes youth-particularly women and girls one of the most significant non-state actors in the region in terms of numbers: prioritizing their intrinsic abilities, creativity, skills, and talents to drive climate action while unlocking opportunities for them. Here in Kuwait country Officer, we witnessed this firsthand. In 2021, around the same time of the year, the UN in Kuwait identified inspiring youth initiatives, projects, and activities with great impact. The UN Day Celebrations was an opportunity to highlight, reveal and recognize youth efforts, community led initiatives, achievements, and innovative solutions driving ambitious engagements towards climate change and climate policy planning, design, implementation and evaluation at multilateral, national and local level with an enabling environment, at all levels including people with disabilities and with the contribution of the International Community. UN DAY 2021 Reporting 2022, through key forums such as the UN Day celebrations, the UN and partners shall offer youth with opportunities to provide concrete contributions, voices and recommendations that need to be translated into actions at national level. While also highlighting disaster risk reduction within climate change adaptation, community-based models, consultations, focus groups and the need for communication and raising awareness. Kuwait is currently confronted with a series of climate challenges – the country is known for its harsh climate, hot weather, and 5 frequent sandstorms, all of which pose serious health threats to its citizens and are further associated with unfavorable dynamics in socioeconomic activities. Youth Driving Ambition 4 Climate and Projecting Progress represents an opportunity for the United Nations and other vital partners to continue the dialogue with the people of Kuwait with a vast platform for impactful messaging and lasting engagement. Together we will mobilize collective resources to harness, confront global climate emergency.