Prince El Hassan concludes working visit to Kuwait

AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan on Wednesday concluded a working visit to Kuwait, during which he met with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah.

As part of his visit, El Hassan participated in the “MENA Water Development Financing Forum”, organised by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in partnership with the World Bank, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The forum addressed urgent regional challenges such as water scarcity and climate change and explored innovative financing mechanisms to advance sustainable development.

In his keynote address, Prince El Hassan underscored the geopolitical importance of the 35th meridian—a zone spanning the Arab world that has emerged as a hotspot for conflict, noting that nine active conflicts along this line stem from a volatile mix of political, ethnic, economic, and environmental factors.

"Stability in these regions requires a framework based on cooperation, mutual understanding and shared respect for human dignity," he said, emphasising the human and social dimensions of development projects.

The Prince also called for greater regional integration to address interconnected challenges, stressing for joint management of water, energy, food and ecosystems. 

He proposed the establishment of an Economic and Social Council to amplify the voices of Arab development regions globally, as well as a Red Sea Cooperation Council to promote stability on both sides of the Red Sea.

"Poverty is multidimensional," Prince El Hassan said, stressing the need for culturally sensitive and data-driven policies to effectively address its complexities and promote human dignity.

On the sidelines of the event, Prince El Hassan met with the heads of Arab and African development funds and Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa. 

He called for a comprehensive approach to development, centred on human dignity and self-determination.

The prince also met with Acting Director General of Kuwait's Zakat House Majid Al Azmi to discuss the evolving role of zakat (charitable giving) in promoting sustainable development. 

Their discussions focused on improving zakat mechanisms and programmes, with an emphasis on the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to use zakat to support vulnerable populations.

Azmi proposed the establishment of a global council for zakat and endowments to strengthen their role in promoting inclusive development.