NEW YORK: Kuwait’s UN ambassador warned Monday that Gulf states will not tolerate any attack on the security or stability of the region, calling it “a red line” during an emergency UN Security Council session.

Tareq Al-Bannai, speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned “the cowardly and blatant (Zionist) criminal attack” that targeted a residential area where members of Hamas’ political bureau were holding a meeting in Doha, Qatar. The strike killed several people, including a Qatari citizen, and injured others.

Al-Bannai said the attack was “a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms” and “a serious threat to the security and safety of the Qatari people and residents in the country.” He warned that any repeat of such actions would face “collective, stronger positions and deterrent political and legal measures within the frameworks available in the international system.”

The Kuwaiti diplomat described the strike as part of “systematic policies and ongoing attempts by the occupying entity to destabilize security and stability in the region,” and stressed that reckless attacks on the Gulf will not be tolerated.

He reaffirmed Qatar’s right to respond firmly, saying the Gulf states support “protecting its people and defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Al-Bannai added that this right is guaranteed under the UN Charter and that a strong response sends “a deterrent message to anyone who attempts to violate the sovereignty of states.”

Al-Bannai also called on the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities, insisting that perpetrators be held accountable. He emphasized the need for “decisive stances from regional and international blocs, including the UN Security Council,” and urged immediate steps to deter future attacks and activate accountability mechanisms to prevent repetition of such blatant violations.

The ambassador praised Qatar’s ongoing mediation and de-escalation efforts under the leadership of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He highlighted Doha’s role in “resolving disputes peacefully” and its contribution to “safeguarding international peace and security in accordance with the UN Charter.”

Concluding his statement, Al-Bannai affirmed that the GCC remains committed to strengthening global peace and security and reiterated support for Qatar in referring the attack to international mechanisms, calling on the world to hold those responsible accountable without delay. — KUNA

DHAKA: A delegation from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) concluded its inspection visit to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on Saturday, highlighting Kuwait’s ongoing humanitarian efforts to support refugees worldwide. Dr Naser Al-Tannak, Vice Chairman of KRCS, told KUNA in a phone interview that “this visit embodied the steadfast humanitarian approach of the State of Kuwait and its keenness to help those in need around the world, in line with the directives of the wise political leadership.”

He said the delegation’s program included a field tour of the camps, where it reviewed the “Building Resilience and Adaptation Capacity” project, funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

Al-Tannak explained that the project aims to construct 1,520 new shelters equipped with basic necessities to provide safer and more stable living conditions for refugee families. The visit also included meetings with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), attended by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ali Hamada, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in supporting refugees and alleviating their suffering.

The delegation held talks with Bangladeshi officials to review humanitarian developments on the ground. Al-Tannak emphasized that “the needs on the ground remain significant and require urgent international efforts to provide a decent life for the refugees.” He added that the camps host nearly one million Rohingya refugees living in difficult conditions, making sustained international support critically important.

Since 2017, KRCS projects in Bangladesh have covered food, shelter, health, water, education, and development initiatives in cooperation with local and international organizations. Al-Tannak said these efforts “reflect the comprehensiveness and diversity of Kuwait’s humanitarian initiatives, aligned with the basic needs of refugees.”

He also thanked partner organizations, including the Kuwait Embassy in Bangladesh, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. “This cooperation reflects the strength of the humanitarian partnership that distinguishes Kuwait and embodies its leading role in humanitarian and relief work globally,” he said. — KUNA

MANAMA: A team from Kuwait University’s College of Engineering and Petroleum has claimed second place at the Green Guardians Hackathon in Bahrain, a competition judged on the quality of ideas and depth of environmental awareness. The university said in a press statement that students from the Department of Chemical Engineering participated in the hackathon, organized by Injaz Bahrain at Exhibition World Bahrain last week. The event brought together more than 100 students from 15 Gulf universities.

The Kuwait University team ranked second out of 21 participating teams, with the competition focused on practical and innovative solutions to energy and environmental challenges, aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

The team’s project, titled “Kuwait’s Path to Carbon Neutrality,” outlined a roadmap for sustainable energy in Kuwait. It proposed integrating solar energy with small nuclear reactors, engaging the private sector through power purchase agreements, and using green hydrogen as a means of energy storage to ensure supply sustainability and security.

According to the team’s model, Kuwait could achieve full carbon neutrality by 2060 by relying on 70 percent renewable energy and 20 percent nuclear energy—up from the current renewable energy share of just 0.14 percent—positioning the country as a regional leader in the transition to clean energy.

The winners were announced during the Global Water, Energy and Climate Change Congress held in Manama. Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals took first place, while University of Technology Bahrain won third.

Bahrain’s Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Climate Envoy Dr Mohammed bin Daina, praised the participants, saying: “The advanced level of ideas and depth of awareness presented by the teams is impressive. Initiatives like these are a platform to discover promising talent and help prepare a generation capable of leading sustainability efforts efficiently and effectively.”

The hackathon aims to enhance youth engagement in developing practical, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Projects focused on creating prototypes and technologies to improve water efficiency, advancing renewable energy ideas tailored to Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ goals, and designing climate resilience strategies and scalable initiatives. — KUNA