For over 130 years, Saudi-Kuwaiti relations have been firmly established, characterized by a unique historical bond built on solid foundations shaped by shared interests and historical stances over decades. The Saudi-Kuwaiti relationship is marked by its deep historical roots and common traits based on brotherhood and a shared destiny, which have transcended traditional concepts of international neighborly relations, standing out with a specific and tight connection at both official and popular levels.
The foundations laid by the founding fathers of both nations significantly influenced the Saudi-Kuwaiti political approach. Their relationship dates back to 1891, when Imam Abdul Rahman Al Faisal Al Saud and his son King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman visited Kuwait prior to Abdul Aziz's reclamation of Riyadh in 1902. This relationship has surpassed the dimensions of mere international relations to encompass concepts of "brotherhood, kinship, and a shared destiny regarding any issues affecting the two brotherly countries and the Gulf region in general."
The strong ties between Imam Abdul Rahman Al Faisal and his brother Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, known as Mubarak the Great, further strengthened Saudi-Kuwaiti relations, especially after the unification of the Kingdom by King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman, who continued his father's efforts to enhance brotherly relations with Kuwait. King Abdul Aziz aimed to develop this relationship politically, economically, and culturally, establishing it as a multifaceted cooperation model. This approach was continued by his sons: Kings Saud, Khalid, Faisal, Fahd, and Abdullah, and has continued under King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, who has made great efforts to improve Saudi-Kuwaiti relations in various fields in collaboration with Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait.
Despite the solid relations rooted in the foundational histories of both countries, the crisis of Kuwait's occupation on August 2, 1990, underscored the shared destiny binding them, providing a unique model in international relations as Saudi Arabia mobilized all its resources to unite the world for Kuwait's liberation.
#### Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council
On July 16, 2018, Saudi Arabia established the "Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council," which encompasses all areas of cooperation and joint work between the two countries. On July 18, 2018, the two nations signed the establishment of the council during an official meeting held in Kuwait. The council aims to translate the close relations between the countries into integration efforts to achieve security, prosperity, and happiness for both peoples.
The council was established in July 2018 with a view to deepening and sustaining the relationship in a way that aligns with the objectives of the Gulf Cooperation Council, enhancing an integrated economic system, and finding innovative solutions for optimal resource utilization. Additionally, it aims to build an effective and integrated educational system based on the strengths of both nations and to enhance political, security, and military cooperation between Riyadh and Kuwait, ensuring effective implementation of cooperation and partnership opportunities, while highlighting both countries' roles in the fields of economy and human development, as well as political and military security integration across various sectors.
On June 5, 2021, the first meeting of the “Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council” took place under the directives of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and the late Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait. Both nations aspire to raise the level of trade exchange, with official statistics indicating that the trade volume between them in 2019 was approximately 8.39 billion Saudi Riyals (at an exchange rate of 3.75 Riyals to the dollar). Saudi exports to Kuwait amounted to about 7.83 billion Riyals, while imports reached around 1.56 billion Riyals, with efforts ongoing to activate the workings of the council by holding the first meeting at the earliest opportunity.
#### Exchange of Visits
Through history, the relationships between the two countries have been marked by exchanges of visits and meetings between their leaders, leading to the documentation of cooperation ties, economic development, and connecting the two nations through a wide network of cooperation across various fields, as well as aligning positions regarding regional and international issues.
Officially, the reciprocal visits by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have contributed to enhancing bilateral relations. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made three visits to Kuwait, the latest on December 9, 2021, where he met with Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and held discussions with Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The joint statement noted that the session reviewed the close bilateral relations and discussed ways to develop cooperation in various areas.
The Saudi Crown Prince made his first official visit in May 2015 and his second on September 30, 2018. Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has made repeated visits to Saudi Arabia, the first on June 1, 2021, following his appointment as Crown Prince on October 7, 2020, responding to an invitation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The shared efforts of both nations continue to enhance existing cooperation and to look forward to the next phase in the context of both countries' visions ("Saudi Arabia 2030" and "Kuwait 2035") to achieve further collaboration on various economic, security, cultural, sports, and social levels, utilizing their capabilities, including the signing of the supplementary agreement related to the agreements on the divided and submerged zones adjacent to the divided zone between the two countries in December 2019, and the resumption of oil production on both sides.
