The 56th session of the Arab Permanent Committee on Human Rights kicks off, chaired by Kuwait.- KUNA photos
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IKEA, KU unite to empower young designers
KUWAIT: IKEA, the leading brand for life at home, hosted a special event in collaboration with Kuwait University’s College of Architecture.
Held at IKEA for Business, the event brought together creativity and inspiration, shining a spotlight on the work of Visual Communication Design students. Guests were invited to explore a vibrant exhibition of student-designed toys, each piece blending play with education.
“At IKEA, we believe that children are the most important people in the world and every child has the right to play. Play is not just about having a good time; it is important for the future as it is an essential way of learning for life. We thank Kuwait University for giving us the opportunity to be part of the journey of young designers in Kuwait as they create toys that spark curiosity and learning in the lives of children, celebrate culture, and encourage language development; values we care deeply about at IKEA,” said Elisa Albendea, IKEA Brand and CMI Director.
The evening also featured the announcement of the top projects, with college professors and IKEA interior designers forming a judging panel to select three standout toy ideas based on their innovation, functionality, safety, and educational aspects. IKEA invited the top three winners to visit its origin for a deep dive in the IKEA product design world.
Winner Aisha Al-Ajmi with university professors and the IKEA team.
“During this course, Visual Communication Design students addressed a pressing challenge: the lack of engaging, well-designed products that are both culturally appropriate and support the Arabic language for children. With IKEA support our students brought their ideas to life through full prototypes,” said Dr. Sarah Alfalah, Assistant Professor at Collage of Architecture, Kuwait University.
“We are grateful to IKEA for their generous sponsorship and belief in our students’ potential. And we thank the students for pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and pouring their hearts into developing these meaningful products,” stressed Alfalah Earlier this year, IKEA hosted a workshop for the Visual Communication Design students. Experts from IKEA shared insights about children’s development stages and safety considerations in product design where children’s needs stay at the core. Following the workshop, Kuwait University students toured the IKEA store to observe how these measures are implemented in children’s room settings and toys.
“At IKEA, children’s safety and development are at the heart of everything we do. We follow the strictest safety and quality standards and often go beyond them by setting our own. We were delighted to welcome students from the Visual Communication Design department to our store, and we hope that the experience inspired them to bring more safety, joy, purpose, and a better everyday life to children across Kuwait,” said Sabrina Shammas, IKEA Sustainability Manager.
KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Khalifa Al-Ajeel said on Monday that protecting the commercial and industrial system is a “national responsibility that requires concerted efforts.”
Minister Al-Ajeel emphasized in a statement to KUNA following an extensive inspection campaign in the south Amghara scrap yard, to “firmly deal with all violations and encroachments in accordance with legal frameworks where no one is above the law.”
Al-Ajeel confirmed the continuation of inspection campaigns as well until the desired goals are reached, foremost being is restoring order and discipline to the area and removing all violations and encroachments.
He affirmed the ministry and the PAI’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to continue these campaigns to ensure a safe and organized industrial and commercial environment.
The campaign resulted in the seizure of several violations and closure of several non-compliant units in preparation for taking necessary legal action against their exploiters.
Participating in the campaign was General Fire Force (KFF) Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi, along with several executive leaders from the PAI. — KUNA
CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.
Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.
Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.
Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA
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