Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is a seasoned statesman who is championing political reform in Kuwait.

emocratically, Kuwait has always distinguished itself from other countries in the Gulf region. Before independence, the national leader was always chosen through a consensus system of the tribal elite. Today, and despite remaining limitations to full democracy, Kuwait boasts the most politically open system in the Gulf Cooperation Council states. It has a solid constitution, an elected National Assembly, an active parliamentary life, and a competitive election system that was broadened in a historical moment for the country last year to include women, granting them full political rights.

On January 29th, 2006, former Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was unanimously approved Kuwait’s new Amir, or national leader, by the Kuwaiti National Assembly. Crown Prince Sheikh Saad had originally been appointed, following the demise of the late Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, but due to ill health the National Assembly suppported his decision to stand down. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had served as minister of foreign affairs from 1963 until 1991, taking on additional roles including Minister of Information and Deputy Prime Minister. He was appointed Prime Minister in 2003. In these roles, he was architect of the Gulf Cooperation Council and reformer of the Arab League while actively seeking regional stability and peace. As Amir, his strong sense of internationalism has presided over a new spirit of openness in the country that has boosted optimism both domestically and abroad.

Mohammad Abdulla Abulhasan, advisor to the Amir and Ambassador to the UN from 1981 to 2003, emphasizes the Amir’s extensive experience in foreign affairs, commenting, “The man who is leading our country is the most senior foreign minister in the world. His experience in international affairs is unsurpassed. He wants Kuwait to be a pioneer in the international community, and he knows that diplomacy has changed from political to economic affairs.”

Consequently, Kuwait is working to remove barriers to foreign investment, increase privatization and strengthen its private sector in efforts to diversify its oil-based economy. Dr. Yousef Al-Ebraheem, Economic Advisor to the Amir, says that Sheikh Sabah is also focusing on preparing the next generation of Kuwaitis to assume an active role in a global economy through enhancing the country’s educational offer. “I don’t think the new generation of Kuwaitis will continue to accept the status quo. They want a better education and want to have better jobs. They want to open the country. They want Kuwait to be part of the world. Therefore, I see Kuwait with a new face of modernization.”

Politically, and in order to complete its democracy, the nation must move towards a multiparty system that lessens the role of tribal loyalties, according to Jassim Al-Khorafi, Speaker of the House, who states, “We have to prepare for the implementation of a party system in the future, because democracy will not be completed without it.”