Brief Historical Background on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

The Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait was signed on 7 October 1994.

In 2004, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the State of Kuwait was established, and in 2006, the Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Azerbaijan was opened.

Since 19 August 2022, Mr. Emil Zulfigar oglu Karimov has been serving as the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the State of Kuwait. On 10 January 2025, the newly appointed Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Mohammad Faisal Al-Mutairi, presented his credentials to H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Political Cooperation

Since the first years of its independence, the development of bilateral relations with the Islamic world and Arab countries has been one of the priority directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Alongside bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait, high-level, mutually beneficial cooperation has also been established within the frameworks of international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the United Nations (UN), the Non-Aligned Movement, and OPEC+.

Relations between Kuwait and Azerbaijan were established during the period of leadership of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. In this regard, while visiting Morocco in 1994 to participate in the OIC Summit, Heydar Aliyev met with the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Subsequently, cordial meetings and discussions between the Heads of State took place in March 1995 in Copenhagen and in October 1995 in the United States.

In 1995, the State of Kuwait opened an office of the Asian Muslim Committee, operating under the International Islamic Charitable Organization, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Pursuant to the instructions of the then Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, five aircraft loaded with 200 tons of food and medical aid were dispatched to Azerbaijan in 1995. In 1996, at the instruction of the State of Kuwait and under the special patronage of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the Asian Muslim Committee organized the first international conference in Baku aimed at providing assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons of Azerbaijan.

On 7 July 2000, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, received a delegation of Arab countries. During the meeting, the Kuwaiti member of the delegation, Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, conveyed the greetings of the Head of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and stated that the feelings endured by the Azerbaijani people during Armenia’s aggression were also felt by the Kuwaiti people when they faced aggression.

On 14 March 2008, the State of Kuwait voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly resolution entitled “The Situation in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan.”

The official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to the State of Kuwait on 10 February 2009 is remembered as one of the landmark events in bilateral relations. His meeting with the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, played an important role in the development of relations between the two countries and in further elevating political cooperation to a higher level.

During the visit, the Amir of the State of Kuwait awarded President Ilham Aliyev the country’s highest state honor, the “Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order,” while the President of Azerbaijan presented the Amir with Azerbaijan’s highest state award, the “Heydar Aliyev Order.”

With the participation of the Heads of State, a number of agreements were signed between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait, including on the establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation, the promotion and mutual protection of investments, the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion with respect to income and property taxes, as well as cooperation in the fields of trade and tourism.

Political Consultations

On 13 February 2025, the first round of political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait was held. The consultations were co-chaired by Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait.

Within the framework of the political consultations, an exchange of views took place on the current state of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as on prospects for their further development.

Heads of State

On 10–11 February 2009, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, paid an official visit to the State of Kuwait, during which he held meetings with the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Nasser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the Chairman of the Board of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ali Mohammed Thunayan Al-Ghanim.

On 12–13 November 2024, the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, visited the Republic of Azerbaijan as the Head of the Kuwaiti delegation to participate in the Leaders’ Summit of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Heads of Parliaments:

In May 1996, a delegation headed by the Chairman of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid an official visit to the State of Kuwait and held meetings with the Amir of the State of Kuwait, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the First Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

On 19–21 September 2018, a delegation led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Marzouq Al-Ghanim, visited the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate in the ceremonial session of the Milli Majlis marking the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On 20 September, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received the Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly.

On 30 June – 1 July 2022, a delegation headed by the Speaker of the Parliament of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Marzouq Al-Ghanim, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Baku Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs

On 20 January 2007, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, paid an official visit to the State of Kuwait. Within the framework of the visit, a number of high-level meetings were held. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Consultations was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait.

On 7 June 2007, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan. At a press conference held during the visit, he recalled the support expressed by the Azerbaijani public for Kuwait during Iraq’s aggression against the country and underscored the importance of observing United Nations resolutions calling for the liberation of Azerbaijani territories occupied in the Armenia–Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

On 13–14 February 2013, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate in the second meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait, as the Kuwaiti Co-Chair of the Commission.

On 27–28 May 2015, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, visited the State of Kuwait to participate in the 42nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

On 25–26 October 2019, a delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, participated in the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in Baku.

In May 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, delivered a statement at the online Summit Meeting of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement on COVID-19 (Unity Against COVID-19), convened at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

On 1–2 March 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Summit-level Meeting of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement on the Fight against COVID-19, dedicated to post-pandemic recovery issues.

On 12–13 November 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, visited Azerbaijan as a member of the Kuwaiti delegation to participate in the Leaders’ Summit of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

On 29–30 April 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, visited the State of Kuwait to participate in the third meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait, as the Azerbaijani Co-Chair of the Commission.

Meetings of Foreign Ministers in Third Countries

On 19 June 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, met with Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

On 12 February 2023, within the framework of an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

On 1 March 2024, Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov met with Mr. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

Ministers

On 17–21 April 2012, a delegation headed by the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Azad Rahimov, paid an official visit to the State of Kuwait.

On 23–24 April 2013, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour of the State of Kuwait, Ms. Zikra Al-Rashidi, paid a working visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate in the Second Meeting of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Baku.

On 28–30 October 2014, a delegation headed by the Minister of Information of the State of Kuwait (also Minister of State for Sports, Youth and Culture), Sheikh Salman Sabah Salim Al-Hammoud Al-Sabah, participated in the First Global Forum on Youth Policy, held in Baku.

On 19–21 February 2015, the Chairman of the International Islamic Charitable Organization, Advisor to the Amir of the State of Kuwait on Humanitarian Affairs, and Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutawa, visited the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 16 April 2015, the Deputy Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs of the State of Kuwait and Chairman of the Asian Muslim Committee, Mr. Adil Abdullah Al-Falah, participated in the international conference entitled “Islamic Enlightenment and the Modern Era”, held in Baku and jointly organized by the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Caucasian Muslims Office, and the State Committee for Work with Religious Institutions.

On 5 May 2015, the Director General of the Asian Muslim Committee of the International Islamic Charitable Organization of Kuwait, Mr. Khalid Salah Al-Rayes, visited Azerbaijan.

On 12 June 2015, a delegation headed by the Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Salman Sabah Salim Al-Hammoud Al-Sabah, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the opening ceremony of the First European Games, held in Baku.

On 5–6 April 2016, a delegation headed by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan visited the State of Kuwait with the aim of expanding and intensifying cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Gulf countries.

On 8–9 October 2025, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Mikayil Jabbarov, visited the State of Kuwait to participate in the first session of the Azerbaijan–Kuwait Business Forum.

On 5 November 2025, the Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Mr. Waleed Al-Bahar, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the High-Level Roundtable of the Arab Coordination Group, held in Baku and organized by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 1–3 December 2025, the Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), Mr. Israfil Mammadov, visited the State of Kuwait.

Inter-Parliamentary Relations

On 28 May 1995, the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait adopted a decision on the establishment of a four-member Kuwait–Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group.

On 20–22 September 1995, at the invitation of the Chairman of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a delegation headed by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Saleh Yousef Al-Fadallah, paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 26–28 September 2001, a delegation led by the Head of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Jamal Hussein Fahat Al-Omar, visited Azerbaijan. During meetings with the country’s leadership, the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations was emphasized.

At a meeting held on 27 September 2001 with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the delegation discussed Kuwait–Azerbaijan cooperation, the Armenia–Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the fight against international terrorism. Shortly after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, President Heydar Aliyev stressed that Islam and terrorism are entirely different concepts and that Islam opposes violence. He also noted the similarities between Iraq’s aggression against Kuwait and Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories, underlining the need for mutual support between Kuwait and Azerbaijan as friendly states.

On 21–24 September 2005, a delegation of members of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan at the invitation of the Chairman of the Milli Majlis. During the visit, meetings were held with the Speaker of the Milli Majlis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan.

On 21–24 October 2007, an official visit of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group to the Republic of Azerbaijan took place.

On 17–21 April 2010, a delegation of female members of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait paid an official visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of the Vice-Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ms. Bahar Muradova. On 20 April 2010, the delegation and members of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group visited the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, where they were briefed on the Foundation’s establishment and its multifaceted activities.

On 12–15 June 2010, a delegation of members of the Azerbaijan–Kuwait Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group paid an official visit to the State of Kuwait at the invitation of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait.

On 17–19 October 2011, at the invitation of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a delegation headed by the Head of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Kuwaiti Parliament, Mr. Walid Al-Tabtabayi, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan.

On 15–17 May 2013, at the invitation of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Mubarak Saleh Al-Najada, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups Committee of the National Assembly of Kuwait, Head of the Azerbaijan Group within the Committee, and a member of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. During the visit, he was received by the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ogtay Asadov.

On 30 April – 2 May 2015, a delegation of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait, headed by Mr. Saud Al-Hureiji, visited the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 18–19 May 2015, Mr. Saud Al-Hureiji, Head of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, participated in the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Azerbaijan.

On 19–21 September 2018, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Marzouq Al-Ghanim, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the ceremonial session of the Milli Majlis dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 30 June – 1 July 2022, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Marzouq Al-Ghanim, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Baku Conference of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement.

On 21–23 January 2024, a delegation headed by the Chairman of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Assembly of Kuwait, Mr. Mohammad Haif Al-Mutairi, visited Baku. Within the framework of the visit, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, met with the visiting delegation.

On 11 May 2024, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, dissolved the National Assembly (Parliament) and issued a decree suspending constitutional provisions related to parliamentary elections for a period of four years.

Legal Framework

1. Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait – 7 October 1994.

2. Agreement on the Status of Military Forces between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait – 3 June 2003.

3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 21 January 2007.

4. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on the Abolition of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Service/Special Passports – Al-Kuwait City, 10 January 2011.

5. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Cooperation in the Field of Security and the Fight against Crime – Baku, 14 February 2013.

Cooperation in the Cultural and Humanitarian Sphere

Cooperation in the Humanitarian Field

In 1995, the State of Kuwait opened an office of the Asian Muslim Committee, operating under the International Islamic Charitable Organization, in Baku. The Committee provided assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as support for the construction of mosques.

On 17 February 2010, a presentation of the “Justice for Khojaly” campaign was held in Kuwait at the headquarters of LoYAC (Youth Achievement Center), the country’s leading youth organization. The event was organized at the initiative of Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Chief Coordinator of the Youth Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for intercultural dialogue. Within the framework of the event, the “Justice for Khojaly” petition was signed, and a photo exhibition entitled “Khojaly through the Eyes of Children” was organized on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

On 10–11 October 2011, a Kuwaiti delegation paid a working visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate in the First Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

On 3–6 October 2012, a Kuwaiti delegation visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Second Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

On 23–25 September 2013, a Kuwaiti delegation participated in the Third Baku International Book Fair, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, held in Baku.

On 31 October – 1 November 2013, Sheikha Hussah Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Director General of the Islamic Arts Foundation of Kuwait and a prominent public and political figure, participated in the Third Baku International Humanitarian Forum, held in Baku.

On 3–7 December 2013, at the invitation of Sheikha Latifa Al-Fahd Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the State Committee for Women’s Affairs of the State of Kuwait, a delegation headed by Ms. Hijran Huseynova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Issues of the Republic of Azerbaijan, paid a working visit to the State of Kuwait to participate in the sixth session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), held in Al-Kuwait City.

On 2–3 October 2014, a large delegation headed by Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Ideal Family and Mother Society, and Sheikha Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Honorary President of the Kuwait Disabled Athletes Society, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Fourth Baku International Humanitarian Forum. Within the framework of the visit, the delegation met with Ms. Hijran Huseynova and visited a children’s home for children deprived of parental care.

On 16–17 November 2016, a Kuwaiti delegation headed by Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and President of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Fifth International Congress of World News Agencies, held in Baku. During the visit, the delegation was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

On 16–17 May 2017, at the invitation of Sheikha Latifa Al-Fahd Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Committee on Women’s Issues of the State of Kuwait, a delegation headed by Ms. Hijran Huseynova visited Kuwait to participate in a conference entitled “Woman – the Giver, the Builder”, dedicated to Kuwaiti Women’s Day.

On 19–21 September 2018, Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutawa, Advisor to the Amir of the State of Kuwait on Humanitarian Affairs and Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the ceremonial session of the Milli Majlis dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 25–26 October 2018, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, Director General and Chairman of KUNA and President of FANA, together with Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutawa, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Sixth Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

In November 2018, under the patronage of the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, participated in the Eighth International Conference entitled “Effective Cooperation and Information Exchange for Improving the Quality of Humanitarian Action”, held in Al-Kuwait City under the theme “Let Humanity Mobilize against Hunger.”

On 14–15 November 2019, a delegation headed by Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutawa participated in the Second Summit of World Religious Leaders, held in Baku.

In November 2019, a delegation headed by Academician Yagub Mahmudov, Director of the Institute of History of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, visited Kuwait. Within the framework of the visit, presentations were held of the Institute’s publications in Arabic, including works on the Iravan Khanate and the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage.

On 10 June 2024, the World Championship in Chovqan was held in Baku, organized by the Azerbaijan Equestrian Federation at the Bina Equestrian Center, with the participation of the national team of the State of Kuwait.

On 2 October 2024, Ambassador Rabea Saad Al-Adsani, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait for Prisoners of War and Missing Persons, participated in and delivered a speech at the international conference entitled “Addressing the Issue of Missing Persons: Supporting the Right of Families to Know the Truth”, held in Baku.

On 13–21 April 2024, Mashal Abdulaziz Al-Saeed, Attaché of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, participated in the “Caspian Basin Studies” programme, organized by the Institute for Development and Diplomacy of ADA University in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Each year, seven Azerbaijani students pursue scholarship-based studies at Kuwait University within the quota allocated by the State of Kuwait for citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Culture

On 17 December 2009, an exhibition of Kuwaiti artists was organized in Baku within the framework of the Kuwait Culture Days.

On 9–13 May 2011, the Days of Azerbaijani Culture were held in Al-Kuwait City.

On 7 July 2011, a Kuwait–Azerbaijan Music Night was held in Al-Kuwait City.

On 20–30 July 2011, the winners of the essay competition “What Do I Know about Azerbaijan”, organized among Kuwaiti students, visited Baku.

In August 2012, the poetry collection “Take Me to the Sun” by the renowned Kuwaiti poet Suad Al-Sabah was translated into Azerbaijani and published.

On 27–30 November 2012, the Kuwait Culture Days were held in Baku.

On 17–22 February 2013, the Days of Azerbaijani Culture were held in Al-Kuwait City. Within the framework of events marking the 95th anniversary of the birth of the world-renowned Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev, two concerts by the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra were organized.

On 11–19 March 2013, fifteen Kuwaiti musicians and experts participated in the International Mugham Festival, held in Baku.

On 23–26 April 2013, a Kuwaiti delegation took part in the Competition-Festival of Classical Music Performers of the Youth of the Islamic World, held in Baku.

On 24–26 April 2014, Kuwaiti musicians participated in the Third International Festival-Competition of Classical Music Performers of the Islamic World, held in Baku, where Kuwaiti performer Lulu Al-Shamlan won first place in the junior age category.

On 19–22 May 2014, Azerbaijani musicians — violinist Salim Abbasov and pianist Gorkhmaz Gurbanov — visited the State of Kuwait to participate in the ceremonial presentation of the book “Ilham Aliyev: Biography Continues” and in events dedicated to 28 May – Republic Day.

In July 2014, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and Member of Parliament, Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, was awarded a high state award of the State of Kuwait for her contribution to the global promotion of Islamic culture, charitable activities, and her support for education and healthcare in Azerbaijan. The diploma was signed by Sheikha Latifah Al-Fahd Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Committee on Women’s Affairs of the State of Kuwait. Notably, this was the first award granted on behalf of Kuwaiti women to a foreign public and political figure outside Kuwait.

On 5–6 November 2014, Mr. Mohammed Al-Ajmi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Culture and Literature of the State of Kuwait, participated in the Third International Theatre Conference, entitled “The Place of Theatre Art in the System of Multiculturalism and Universal Values”, held in Baku and jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Union of Theatre Workers of Azerbaijan.

On 18–19 May 2015, the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Azerbaijan, was attended by Mr. Saud Al-Hureiji, Head of the Kuwait–Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Walid Abdulaziz Al-Ammar, Director of the Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, and Mr. Khalaif Mutaib Al-Zainah, Deputy Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the State of Kuwait for Foreign Relations and Hajj Affairs.

On 23–27 November 2015, Mr. Haitham Saleh Aalathar, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education of the State of Kuwait, and Mr. Ahmad Al-Enezi, Secretary-General of the Kuwait National Commission for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), participated in the 35th Meeting of the Executive Council (23–24 November 2015) and the 12th General Conference (26–27 November 2015) of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), held in Baku.

On 5–6 May 2017, a delegation headed by Mr. Ali Al-Yuhan, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature of the State of Kuwait, visited Azerbaijan to participate in the Fourth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Baku.

In May 2018, a concert featuring the Baku Chamber Youth Orchestra of the Baku Music Academy, along with renowned musicians, was held in Kuwait City.

From 16 November to 30 December 2021, Mr. Tarik Al-Yusuf from Kuwait won second place in the international essay competition “Letter to Nizami Ganjavi”, organized within the framework of “2021 – The Year of Nizami Ganjavi” to mark the 880th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi.

On 1–3 May 2024, Ms. Aisha Adnan Al-Mahmoud, Deputy Secretary-General for the Cultural Sector of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature of the State of Kuwait, and Mr. Abdullah Ismail Al-Awadi, Coordinator of the Department for External Cultural Relations, participated in the Sixth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Baku under the theme “Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interaction.”

On 28 May 2024, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the State of Kuwait organized a concert in Kuwait on the occasion of 28 May – Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait. The concert program was performed by a trio led by tar player Humay Gadimova, featuring works by Azerbaijani and world composers.

Tourism

From 29 March to 2 April 2011, within the framework of activities implemented following the declaration of 2011 as the “Year of Tourism” in the Republic of Azerbaijan by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, senior officials of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated with a special national exhibition stand at the International Tourism Exhibition held in Al-Kuwait City.

In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 25,000–30,000 Kuwaiti tourists (excluding residents) visited Azerbaijan. Since 2016, a simplified visa issuance procedure has been introduced for citizens of the State of Kuwait at Azerbaijan’s international airports. Furthermore, since 2017, Kuwaiti citizens have been able to obtain short-term electronic visas through the ASAN Visa system. The first direct flight between Azerbaijan and Kuwait was launched in 2017. Currently, in addition to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Al-Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways operate direct flights between the two countries.

On 13 June 2024, the Azerbaijan Tourism Board participated in the “Ahlan Arabia” event organized by the company Dnata in Kuwait. Within the framework of the event, B2B and B2C meetings were held. During these meetings, aimed at establishing and expanding bilateral cooperation, local tourism companies were presented with information on Azerbaijan’s tourism potential, including Baku and other regions of the country, with particular emphasis on the summer and winter tourism seasons.

From 10 to 13 December 2024, the Azerbaijan Tourism Board organized a familiarization trip for representatives of 27 tourism agencies from the Gulf countries, including the State of Kuwait.

On 9 November 2025, the “Roadshow 2025” event was organized in Al-Kuwait City by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. Within the framework of the event, B2B and B2C meetings were held.

Sports

From 25 to 29 April 2013, the national team of the Republic of Azerbaijan, led by Mr. Rasim Rzayev, Vice President of the Azerbaijan Shooting Federation, participated in the First Asian Sporting (Sport Hunting) Kuwait Grand Prix, held in Al-Kuwait City.

From 15 to 21 August 2014, representatives of the Kuwait Shooting Federation participated in the International “Grand Prix” competitions in Olympic shooting disciplines, dedicated to the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The event was organized by the Gabala Shooting Club, with the joint support of the National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijan Shooting Federation.

From 10 to 12 April 2017, a delegation led by Sheikh Fahd Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait National Olympic Committee, visited the Republic of Azerbaijan to discuss the participation of Kuwaiti athletes in the IV Islamic Solidarity Games, hosted by Azerbaijan from 12 to 22 May 2017, as well as other matters of mutual interest in the field of sports.

Legal Framework

1. Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 10 February 2009.

2. Agreement on Cooperation between the State Telegraph Agency of Azerbaijan and the Kuwait News Agency – Baku, September 2009.

3. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Cooperation in the Field of Family, Women and Children’s Issues – Al-Kuwait City, 26 January 2010.

4. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Cooperation in the Field of Youth and Sports – Baku, 16 April 2010.

5. Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Baku, 14 February 2013.

6. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Saud N. Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait – Baku, 14 February 2013.

7. Implementation Program on Tourism Cooperation for 2025–2027 between the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Information of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 29 April 2025.

8. Implementation Program on Cultural Cooperation for 2025–2027 between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 29 April 2025.

9. Implementation Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports for 2025–2028 between the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Public Authority for Sport of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 29 April 2025.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

Economic Cooperation

In 2004, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development allocated a loan for the rehabilitation of the Alat–Gazimammad high-speed road.

On 30–31 May 2006, the Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan visited Kuwait to participate in the annual meeting of the Islamic Development Bank. During the visit, meetings were held with the President of the Islamic Development Bank, the Minister of Finance of the State of Kuwait, and the Director General of the Supreme Council for Investments of Kuwait.

On 10 January 2011, the first meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait was held in Al-Kuwait City.

On 13–14 February 2013, the second meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait was held in Baku.

On 29–30 April 2025, the third meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait took place in Al-Kuwait City.

From 8 to 9 October 2025, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Mikayil Jabbarov, paid a visit to the State of Kuwait to participate in the first meeting of the Azerbaijan–Kuwait Business Forum.

On 9 October 2025, the first Kuwait–Azerbaijan Business Forum (Round Table) was held in Kuwait City, jointly organized by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO). The event brought together representatives of government institutions and the private sector of both countries. Discussions focused on the current state and future prospects of trade and economic relations, as well as investment opportunities, business partnerships, and the implementation of joint projects.

In his address at the forum, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov highlighted the existing potential for increasing the efficiency of joint economic activities between Azerbaijan and Kuwait, emphasizing the importance of developing cooperation platforms based on mutual economic interests and strengthening ties between public and private sector representatives.

Within the framework of his visit to the State of Kuwait, Minister Mikayil Jabbarov also held meetings with official representatives and members of the business community.

Trade Turnover, Export and Import Volume between the Two Countries

(thousand U.S. dollars)

Years – Trade Turnover – Imports – Exports

• 2021 – 494.8    288.3           206.5

• 2022 – 753.7 – 174.5 – 579.2

• 2023 – 656.97 – 197.44 – 459.53

• 2024 – 613.2 – 612.0 – 1.2

• 2025 (January–November) – 1,143.04 – 1,134.84 – 8.2

Main export goods from Azerbaijan to Kuwait
(according to the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan):

• tea products, fruit jams, fruit jellies and marmalades, fruit purées and pastes, tropical fruit juices, kaolin and kaolin clays, kerosene fuel for jet engines, perfumes and toilet waters, synthetic polypropylene products, lifting and unloading equipment, etc.

Main import goods from Kuwait to Azerbaijan
(according to the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan):

• turnips, fodder beets, grass, alfalfa and other feed products, styrene, ethylene glycol, plastic products, trailers and semi-trailer cisterns.

Legal Framework

1. Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development on the Provision of a Loan for the Reconstruction of the Alat–Gazimammad High-Speed Highway – Baku, 15 May 1997.

2. Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 10 February 2009.

3. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments – Al-Kuwait City, 10 February 2009.

4. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Cooperation in the Elimination of Double Taxation on Income and Property and the Prevention of Tax Evasion – Al-Kuwait City, 10 February 2009.

5. Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 10 February 2009.

6. Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 10 February 2009.

7. Protocol of the First Meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 10 January 2011.

8. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Economic and Technical Cooperation – Al-Kuwait City, 10 January 2011.

9. Protocol of the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Baku, 14 February 2013.

10. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Mutual Assistance and Cooperation in Customs Matters – Baku, 14 February 2013.

11. Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – signed in Baku on 16 November 2016.

12. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 29 April 2025.

13. Protocol of the Third Meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait – Al-Kuwait City, 29 April 2025.

A total of 25 Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, and Protocols covering various fields have been signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Kuwait.