Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman on Saturday bid farewell to Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Jabar al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, who died at the age of 86.
In the year 2020, he took over the reins of power, succeeding Emir Sabah al Ahmad al Jabar al Sabah, and ushered in a new development era through plans that kept pace with the latest developments.
The Sultanate of Oman and the State of Kuwait are linked by relations that are well-established and a solid brotherhood whose roots extend deep into history and include all official levels of prosperity in various fields and levels.
The late Emir Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah is the sixth son of the tenth Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who ruled Kuwait between 1921 and 1950.
Sheikh Nawaf was born on June 25, 1937, in Kuwait City. He is the sixteenth ruler of the Al Sabah family. He has been in Kuwait since 1961 and assumed the role of Crown Prince in 2006.
Before Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Jaber al-Sabah took office on September 30, 2020, he spent a long career serving his country, which spanned over six decades.
Sheikh Nawaf held several political and ministerial positions, initially as Governor of Hawalli from 1962 for sixteen years, then the Minister of Interior in 1978, and Minister of Defense in 1988.
He was assigned to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour when the first government was formed in 1991 after the Gulf War. He became Deputy Chief of the National Guard in 1994. He assumed the position of Minister of the Interior again in 2003 and later was designated the Crown Prince in 2006.
He took the pledge as Emir on September 30, 2020, assuring to work towards the security and stability of Kuwait, the preservation of its status and pride, and the guarantee of the dignity and well-being of its people.
During the reign of the late Emir, the State of Kuwait conducted the parliamentary elections less than three months after he assumed the reins of power, and in his speech during the opening session of the first National Assembly of his reign, he set out a reform programme to meet all challenges.
He worked on a road map for the success of the Comprehensive Reform Program in effective cooperation between the National Assembly and the government.
On the economic level, the efforts of the late Emir focused on stimulating various economic sectors developing their products and services, and working to find competitive investment opportunities.
The late Emir's rule witnessed the implementation of many development projects, including oil projects, in addition to the Al-Zour Refinery Project, which is the largest refinery in Kuwait and the liquefied natural gas import facilities project, which contains two berths to receive the largest liquefied natural gas carriers in the world.
During his reign, Kuwait became the first among the Arab states in the Social Progress Index for 2021. It also ranked first globally in the Access to Basic Water Services Index, and also in the health care coverage index.
At the level of foreign policy, Sheikh Nawaf focused on the principles and values of Kuwaiti diplomacy where he pursued a balanced and flexible foreign policy, and the State of Kuwait was keen to establish strong relations with sister countries.
It worked to strengthen the progress of the Gulf Cooperation Council and supported the efforts of the international community towards establishing international peace and security.
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