A farewell reception hosted by the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait on July 11, 2026, honored outgoing Turkish Ambassador Tuba Nur Sönmez for her contributions to diplomatic relations and community connections over the past four years. Indonesian Ambassador Lena Maryana described Sönmez as a successful diplomat and dear friend who represented her country with elegance, dedication and professionalism. Maryana noted that Sönmez built bridges across the diplomatic community in Kuwait while displaying wisdom, strength and a cheerful personality that left a lasting positive impact.
According to a Times Kuwait report on the event, Sönmez reflected on her assignment as one of the most meaningful periods in her career and personal life after previous service at the Turkish Presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ambassador, for whom this was her first posting in the role, recalled an earlier visit to Kuwait in 2015 as part of a presidential delegation and emphasized the deep human relationships she formed with Kuwaiti society and diplomatic colleagues. Sönmez praised the generosity of the Kuwaiti government and people throughout her stay.
Humanitarian cooperation stood out in Sönmez’s remarks at the ceremony, particularly Kuwait’s response to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey that included relief supplies delivered via military aircraft. The ambassador highlighted joint projects supporting refugees in Turkey and Syria carried out with Kuwaiti organizations, international bodies and the United Nations. These initiatives, she said, represented some of the proudest moments of her tenure.
Sönmez also pointed to her involvement in environmental efforts such as tree-planting campaigns in Kuwait as examples of diplomacy extending beyond official meetings to serve communities and shared values. She commended the resilience of Kuwaiti society in maintaining normalcy and stability amid regional challenges. The envoy characterized Kuwait as a unique model of diplomatic cooperation and one of the finest diplomatic communities she had encountered.
Bilateral trade between the two countries expanded significantly during the period, with Kuwait-Turkey trade volume increasing by 52 percent in 2025 according to a Kuwait Times assessment. Turkey’s exports to Kuwait rose 58 percent to $887 million that year while Kuwait’s exports to Turkey grew 29 percent. Sönmez pledged to continue supporting Turkish-Kuwaiti relations from her next assignment after returning to Ankara to work at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In her closing comments carried in the Times Kuwait report, Sönmez expressed deep emotion over leaving the country where she built lasting friendships. She stated that Kuwait is her second family and that the memories and connections would remain with her forever. The ambassador added that she would stay in touch with friends in Kuwait while advancing ties from her future post.
