Kuwait announced an ambitious diplomatic initiative to promote Arab-African dialogue, as declared by Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya during a press conference in the capital. Titled “Bridge of Arab-African Cooperation,” the initiative aims to build strategic partnerships between Arab and African countries in political, economic, and humanitarian areas, with a focus on fostering regional stability and addressing shared challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and illegal migration.
Minister Al-Yahya emphasized that the initiative builds on Kuwait’s historical commitment to Arab-African solidarity and its role as a neutral mediator in conflict resolution. It includes establishing a permanent diplomatic platform to bring together Arab and African Union foreign ministers, with the first meeting scheduled for November 2025 in Kuwait. A $100 million fund will support joint development projects, particularly in food security and renewable energy.
During the press conference, Al-Yahya highlighted the importance of cooperation in addressing challenges like the Sudan crisis and its regional impacts, which require collective solutions. He reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to supporting Arab and African causes in international forums and praised the productive collaboration between the Arab League and the African Union.
The initiative received widespread regional support. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed it as a “strategic step to strengthen historical ties between the Arab world and Africa.” African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki also praised Kuwait’s role, noting that the initiative opens new prospects for economic and political cooperation.
The initiative is expected to boost Arab investments in Africa, particularly in infrastructure and technology, while African states support Arab causes like the Palestinian issue in international forums. It will also enhance coordination on counterterrorism and transnational crime, strengthening regional security.
