Signature Ceremony Memorandum of Understanding

Kuwait -  Monday 12 July 2021, Driven by mutual objective of promoting sustainable development, Agenda 2030 among private sector in Kuwait within Kuwait vision 2035, the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the United Nations (UN) in Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that articulate their partnership and potential collaboration in support of Kuwait private sector active engagement in national, regional and international collective actions to achieve sustainable development.

The partnership is based on goodwill, active collaboration as well as mutually beneficial activities and will among other things:

• Promoting sustainable development among the private sector in Kuwait.         Strengthening partnerships and cooperation to support youth-led innovation in Kuwait.
• Information exchange and organization of joint events in modalities deemed suitable for both Parties (webinars, workshops, training and forums) to advance private sector effective engagement in sustainable development in Kuwait, including, but not limited to, in areas of environment, social and governance (ESG) to ensure sustainable business practices as per the UN Secretary General’s call for financing for development.
• Development of joint policies to advance sustainable development among businesses and industries and supporting partnerships for developing and strengthening ‘skills for the 21st century’ among Kuwaiti’s children and youth, from the earliest age to assure relevance and competitiveness in the emerging job market.

This MoU will focus on areas of promoting sustainable development among the chamber constituents in Kuwait; strengthening partnerships and cooperation to support youth-led innovation initiatives in Kuwait; supporting the activities for community led initiatives in support of National Development Plan of State of Kuwait through private sector activities and initiatives, in addition to information/ knowledge exchange and organization of joint events, workshops, webinars and activities to advance private sector effective engagement and dialogue as the leading force for the advancement of sustainable development and the economy for the upcoming era in Kuwait.

Dr Tarek Elsheikh, the Representative of the United Nations Secretary General and the Resident Coordinator to the State of Kuwait emphasized that : “This collaboration comes in a timely manner allowing both partners to build on existing efforts and explore opportunities in many areas such as environment, socioeconomic, governance (ESG) and policies, to ensure sustainable business practices. The MoU also covers areas of support to capacity building and development of policy papers, assessments, and situation analysis, providing support from UN Specialized Agencies, programmes and Funds through the One UN approach in accordance with the Kuwait/UN Strategic Cooperation Framework 2020-2025”.

“The UN is committed to actively provide support through its own resources, networks, systems and tools, bringing top notch expertise and best practices to support bridging the gap and enhancing practices and strengthening ‘skills. Amidst the current circumstance and in our collective fight against COVID-19 Pandemic, we look forward to this opportunity for both parties to support investing in SMEs and promoting competitiveness in the emerging job market among youth. In addition, the UN in Kuwait is keen to support initiatives related to financing for development and how Kuwait could play a key role in attracting international partners and hosting private sector and businesses led dialogues at the international level” Dr. Elsheikh added.

Based on the common goals aimed at promoting sustainable development, the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the United Nations (Kuwait Office) signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two sides that promotes the role of the private sector in performing its societal role and promoting the principle of sustainable development in its activities at all local levels. Regional, international and achieve common goals.

Mr. Muhammad Jassim Al-Sager – Kuwait Chamber Chairman of the Board of Directors signed the MOU, while by the United Nations, Dr. Tarik Azmi ElSheikh - Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator in the State of Kuwait, and the signing ceremony took place in the presence of a number of members of the Chamber's Board of Directors and representatives of the United Nations office in Kuwait namely the Resident Coordinator Office, Representatives of IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF.

Mr. Al-Sager also indicated: “The memorandum of understanding focuses on promoting the principle of sustainable development in the Kuwaiti private sector by urging the establishment of projects compatible with the pillars of sustainable development and in line with Kuwait Vision 2035, as well as giving a leading role to the youth category and encouraging them to take initiative and innovate and provide advanced and new solutions, The Chamber and the United Nations Office will also cooperate in organizing joint events such as virtual seminars, discussion workshops and other events that encourage the participation of the private sector in economically, socially and environmentally sustainable activities and projects, as well as spreading societal awareness among entrepreneurs in Kuwait and developing skills and expertise to ensure consistency with the requirements of the labor market and enhance competitiveness.

This partnership is a major milestone for Kuwait and UN to enter into a critical partnership, as it opens a wide door to attract small and strategic initiatives, where business leaders and Innovators get to have open dialogues, know international peers and share experience and best practice on grassroots issues that have a direct impact on the national commerce and industry community and reflecting Kuwaiti businesses commitment to advancing and support Kuwait efforts to achieve sustainable development and ensuring the Kuwait businesses presence in global international fora’s as the United Nations.

End.