In every national transformation journey, bricks and mortar alone do not build the future. People do. Kuwait Vision 2035, ‘New Kuwait’, calls for a thriving and sustainable society where human capital is at the center. Infrastructure and policy reforms matter, but they are not enough. What will ultimately shape success are our behaviors, our choices, and our values.

Wellbeing is more than physical health or stress management. It is a national asset. A society that prioritizes balance and resilience is more productive. It spends less on healthcare and builds stronger foundations for innovation. Nations that embed wellbeing into culture, position themselves as competitive and future-ready.

Kuwait’s youth make up more than half of the population. They are not just participants in the national vision. They are its leaders. Youth brings creativity, ambition, and energy. At the same time, they carry forward the values that define Kuwait: solidarity, respect, balance, and perseverance.

Empowering youth to promote wellbeing is a values-driven investment in the future. Young Kuwaitis can lead community campaigns. They can create digital health platforms. They can design school and university initiatives. In doing so, they weave wellbeing into daily life. When anchored in values, these behaviors ripple across generations.

Behavioral science shows the power of small, consistent actions. Walking instead of driving. Managing screen time. Practicing mindfulness. These simple habits, when adopted widely, transform culture.

Policies can reinforce these choices. More public parks encourage active lifestyles. Nutritious food in schools builds healthy routines. Workplace wellness programs and mental health awareness campaigns make wellbeing a shared responsibility. Together, these steps strengthen both individuals and the nation.

A wellbeing culture strengthens the pillars of Vision 2035.

• Creative Human Capital:Youth who are healthy and guided by values are more creative, adaptable, and ready to lead.
  
  • Sustainable Living Environment:Eco-friendly behaviors, such as reducing waste and conserving water, improve both wellbeing and environmental health.
• Effective Government:By integrating wellbeing into policies, institutions model care, accountability, and values-based leadership.

Government programs are essential. For transformation and long-term change, cultural adoption is required. Kuwait once shifted from pearl diving to the oil economy. Today, we can achieve another shift: from reactive healthcare to proactive wellbeing.

Here, values play a central role. Leaders can emphasize balance and care. Educators can encourage healthier habits. Media and influencers can make wellbeing aspirational and accessible. The message is clear. Wellbeing is not a luxury. The wellbeing of our society is a shared responsibility and a national duty.

Vision 2035 is more than a blueprint. It is a call to redefine how we live, work, and connect. With youth and values at the heart of wellbeing, we can shift the discourse around sustainable human development. New Kuwait can use its human development pillar as an example of sustainable society transformation.

The decade ahead calls for intentional steps toward better health, mental fortitude, and communities that thrive together. Vision 2035 charts our course. The collective work of moving forward rests with us, rooted in what we value most and propelled by the vision of our young people.

Editor’s Note: Sarah Al Sabah is Head of Development Planning Follow-Up at Kuwait’s Ministry of Information and a core member of its Strategy Committee (2026–2030). She leads initiatives on future-ready media, youth empowerment, and sustainable transformation in alignment with Vision 2035. In this op‑ed, she explores how wellbeing, values, and youth‑led behavioral change are essential to realizing the New Kuwait.