Kuwait is on the brink of a transformation — one that blends economic growth, cultural pride, and sustainable innovation. At the heart of this transformation lies Kuwait Vision 2035: “New Kuwait”, a bold national plan to position the country as a leading financial, cultural, and economic hub in the region. Kuwait Vision 2035, launched in 2017 and known as "New Kuwait," aims to transform Kuwait into a regional financial, cultural, and institutional leader.
What is Kuwait Vision 2035?
Launched as a long-term strategic roadmap, Vision 2035 focuses on seven pillars:
- Effective Government Administration
- Diversified Economy
- Advanced Infrastructure
- Sustainable Living Environment
- High-Quality Healthcare
- Creative Human Capital
- Global Positioning
The ultimate goal is to reduce dependency on oil revenues, create a vibrant private sector, and foster innovation in every field.
Key cultural objectives and initiatives within Vision 2035
- Promoting existing values and social identity: The plan emphasizes preserving the values of the Arab-Islamic identity.
- Enhancing Kuwait's global presence through culture: The "Global Position" pillar aims to enhance Kuwait's regional and global standing in diplomacy, trade, culture, and philanthropy.
- Fostering tourism and cultural heritage: Recent initiatives, such as the "Visit Kuwait" portal launched in August 2025, aim to boost tourism by showcasing Kuwait's cultural heritage, museums, festivals, and local traditions. This platform is described as a "unified digital channel for visitors" to explore Kuwait's art, heritage, and lifestyle.
- Investing in infrastructure and facilities: The plan incorporates the development of 50 public squares and courtyards around historical sites, the transformation of 25 heritage buildings into cultural and enlightenment centers, and the establishment of a smart heritage tourism platform.
- Supporting youth and local initiatives: Kuwait is supporting 20 youth-led cultural initiatives annually and encouraging artists to integrate culture, environment, and social inclusion. A recent example is the "I Am the Author" program at the Kuwait International Book Fair, which promotes creativity and literature among young people.
- Cultural tourism marketing and partnerships: The vision includes a global cultural tourism marketing strategy to elevate Kuwait's international profile and promote public-private partnerships in heritage-based tourism.
Challenges and opportunities
- Challenges: Developing cultural tourism in Kuwait faces challenges, including balancing urban development with heritage preservation and strengthening the role of civil society organizations.
- Opportunities: Interest in urban heritage is strong, and preserving and reviving heritage buildings can generate sustainable income and create job opportunities for young people. Cultural tourism has the potential to contribute significantly to Kuwait's GDP and create numerous jobs. Kuwait also has a vibrant theatrical tradition and a reputation as the "Hollywood of the Gulf" for its television soap operas.
Kuwait Vision 2035 recognizes the vital role of cultural development in the nation's progress and aims to leverage its cultural heritage to create a vibrant and diversified future
