Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah

Early life and education

Born on 10 October 1955, Al-Sabah is a son of Sheikh Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, the former Amir of Kuwait, and Nouriya Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the sister of the present Amir. His older brother is Salem Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who served as both Minister of Defense and Interior. Mohammed Sabah Al Sabah obtained his bachelor's degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College and went on to earn both a master's degree and a PhD in economics and Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University.

Career

Government service

Appointed in 1993 as the ambassador of Kuwait to the United States, he served until 14 February 2001, at which point he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held the position of Minister of Finance from January 2003 until July 2003. On 11 February 2006, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, continuing also as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He resigned from office on 18 October 2011 in protest of alleged corruption in Kuwait's government. He subsequently pursued academic interests as a visiting fellow at Oxford University.

Prime minister

On January 4, 2024, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, appointed Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as the Prime Minister designate of Kuwait. He was sworn into office on the 17 of January 2024, marking the first time in 20 years that a descendant of the Banu Salim branch of the Kuwaiti ruling family assumed this position. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah was appointed as the prime minister-designate on 15 April 2024. His assumption of office is contingent upon the formation of his cabinet and his oath-taking before the National Assembly. Following this appointment, Sheikh Mohammed has been serving as the acting prime minister in a caretaker capacity.

Personal life

Al-Sabah is married to Feryal Duaij Al Salman Al Sabah and has four children.

Councils, committees and memberships

Kuwait

• Chairman of the board of directors of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (2003–2011)
• Member of the Supreme Council of the Environment Public Authority (2003–2011)
• Member of the National Security Council (2003–2011)
• Member of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (2006–2011)
• Member of the Kuwait National Nuclear Energy Committee (2009–2011)
• Acting Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (2003–2011)
• Board Advisor Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development

Honours and awards

• 2014 Robert and JoAnn Bendetson Global Leadership Award in Public Diplomacy from Fletcher School at Tufts University
• 1978 Recipient of The Salvatori Scholar Prize

References

References

1. Naar, Ismaeel. (2024-01-17). "Kuwaiti PM forms new government with 13 ministers".
2. "كونا : Kuwait caretaker PM congratulates Poland on national day - الديوان الأميري - 03/05/2024".
3. (15 April 2024). "Kuwait names Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as prime minister". Reuters.
4. "Biography". Official website.
5. "وزارة المالية – دولة الكويت".
6. Kenneth Katzman. (30 August 2013). "Kuwait: Security, Reform, and U.S. Policy". Congressional Research Service.
7. Maha, Al Danan. (4 January 2024). "Kuwait emir appoints Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah as prime minister". [[Reuters]].
8. "Board of advisors". Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development.
9. (3 March 2014). "Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah awarded ''Robert and JoAnn Bendetson Public Diplomacy Award''". KUNA.