On September 25, 2025 the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and Kuwait’s Reconnaissance Research Centre formalised a new partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding in an online signing ceremony aimed at deepening research and academic collaboration.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General of ISSI, and Mr Abdulaziz M. Al-Anjeri, Founder and CEO of the Reconnaissance Research Centre, signed the agreement while Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Zafar Iqbal and Ms. Amina Khan, Director of the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East, and Africa at ISSI, participated in the event.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood commended the RRC leadership for promoting regional dialogue and acknowledged the active role played by Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal in facilitating the institutional link. He highlighted the long-standing historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Kuwait and said the ISSI RRC MoU would open avenues for joint studies, professional training and stronger people-to-people links.
Mr Abdulaziz M. Al-Anjeri described the MoU as a significant milestone that paves the way for a concrete plan of action. He underlined the importance of a practical, result-oriented partnership and announced plans to establish a dedicated unit at RRC to follow up on MoU implementation and to prioritise Kuwait-Pakistan cooperation and related regional issues.
Ambassador Dr. Zafar Iqbal welcomed the agreement and reiterated his support for closer engagement between the two think-tanks, stressing that such cooperation will broaden channels for academic exchange and mutual learning.
The central elements of the MoU include the exchange of officials and experts for research, field studies, professional training, exchange of views and sharing of experience in areas of common interest. Joint scientific research, collaborative events and exchange of publications will form part of the agreed framework, reflecting a shared commitment to practical outcomes and institutional synergy under the ISSI RRC MoU.
Both institutions signalled readiness to translate the agreement into active programmes and follow-up activities that will strengthen Pakistan-Kuwait ties in the research and think-tank domains.
