Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel is chairing the regular meeting of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Emergency Committee, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the national food security.

KUWAIT CITY, July 3: Kuwait is making significant strides in establishing an integrated and secure food system designed to maintain stability and meet the needs of citizens and residents under various conditions, Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel announced on Wednesday.

The statement came following Al-Ajeel’s chairmanship of the regular meeting of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Emergency Committee, part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national food security and oversee the implementation of related projects and strategic plans.

Al-Ajeel emphasized that the Emergency Committee remains fully committed to advancing the food security agenda, ensuring all components meet the highest standards of preparedness and sustainability. He highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with multiple government agencies to guarantee the uninterrupted flow of essential commodities while enhancing the efficiency of Kuwait’s strategic food reserves.

“The successive meetings of the Emergency Committee demonstrate the seriousness and continuity of work on this vital file,” Al-Ajeel said, noting that specialized teams are actively working to complete the necessary elements of a comprehensive food system in an efficient and effective manner.

During the meeting, participants reviewed recent developments in food security initiatives, emergency response plans, updates to stock-related databases, and the progress of implementing approved measures within the executive framework of the food security program.

Officials also discussed enhancing inter-ministerial cooperation and overcoming logistical challenges to ensure market and sales outlet readiness, safeguarding against the impacts of regional or global disruptions.

The session was attended by senior officials including the Ministry’s Undersecretary (Vice Chairman of the Committee), the Assistant Undersecretary for Control and Consumer Protection Affairs, the CEO of Kuwait Supply Company, and representatives from key entities such as the Kuwait Ports Authority, the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies, the Kuwait Union of Foodstuff Traders and Manufacturers, the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Social Affairs, as well as the Director of the Supply Department, who also serves as the committee secretary.

The coordinated efforts underscore Kuwait’s commitment to building a resilient food system capable of ensuring the nation’s food security under all circumstances.

KUWAIT CITY, July 2: Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, today marked a historic milestone with the resumption of its direct flights between Kuwait and Damascus, restoring air connectivity between the two nations for the first time in over 13 years. The first two flights departed from Jazeera Terminal 5 this morning, with a full passenger load, some of whom were back to their home country after several years. For many of the over 200,000 Syrians living in Kuwait – the second-largest Arab community in the country – this moment represents more than just a flight; it is a long-overdue reconnection with their roots, loved ones, and memories. Jazeera Airways had previously operated services to Damascus, Aleppo, and Deir EzZoor.

The return to Damascus marks the beginning of renewed engagement with Syria, as the airline responds to strong and growing demand from the community. The route launches with one daily flight, with plans to increase to twice-daily frequencies by the end of the summer travel season. The airline is also exploring future expansions to other Syrian cities in line with market recovery.

Barathan Pasupathi, Chief Executive Officer of Jazeera Airways, stated:“This is more than just the reopening of a route – it is the restoration of a vital bridge for people. We are proud to re-establish this important connection for the Syrian community in Kuwait and beyond. Many of the passengers on our inaugural flight were returning to Syria for the first time in years, and the emotions witnessed at the departure gate were a powerful reminder of how meaningful this service is. We extend our sincere thanks to the authorities in both Kuwait and Syria for their invaluable support in making this relaunch possible.” With the launch of flights to Damascus, Jazeera Airways continues to play a vital role in enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the aspirations of communities across its growing network. To book flights, travellers can visit www.jazeeraairways.com or Jazeera’s mobile application.

Participants pose for a group photo during the Gulf Cooperation Council workshop.

KUWAIT CITY, July 2: A high-level Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) workshop on protecting the infrastructure of the oil and gas sector and crisis management kicked off Tuesday, at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition in Ahmadi, Kuwait. The three-day event is jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), and the GCC Emergency Management Center. During the workshop, GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi said in a recorded speech that GCC energy supplies represent a fundamental pillar of global supply, concurrently noting that the Gulf states are working to implement ambitious development plans, which in turn would lead to an increase in local energy demand. The GCC chief said that the developing world is witnessing rapid progress and a growing demand for energy, noting that the Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for 50 percent of the global GDP by 2040, making it one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. GCC faces three main challenges; adapting to the global energy transition, meeting increasing domestic demand, and ensuring the security and stability of the global energy market, he pointed out.

The security and safety of energy assets in the Gulf region are fundamental to the global market, as ongoing developments and conflicts in the region indicated that any future events in the Middle East could directly impact three out of the world’s seven strategic maritime chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Suez Canal, Al-Budaiwi stressed. The current conflicts not only threaten global supply chains, Al-Budaiwi emphasized, but also affect national and cross-border development projects such as connectivity initiatives between the European Union and the Middle East, which rely on safe passage through the Levant and the Mediterranean Sea. In a similar recorded statement, United Nations Undersecretary General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov emphasized that the meeting takes place amid a period of escalating global security threats. He highlighted that UN General Assembly Resolution 77/298 unequivocally condemns terrorist attacks targeting energy infrastructure and underscores the need for strengthened cooperation among governments, international organizations, and the private sector.

Voronkov further noted that the Security Council has introduced a technical guide for the protection of critical energy infrastructure from terrorist threats, developed with the support of the Russia and Turkmenistan. He underscored that the guide is the product of in-depth research, broad international consultations, and the collective expertise of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, in collaboration with the Working Group on Emerging Threats and Infrastructure Protection.

In her remarks at the workshop, UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Tahir emphasized that this meeting offers a key opportunity to promote best practices, share expertise, and highlight the Gulf countries’ progress in building comprehensive security frameworks regionally and nationally. Al-Tahir highlighted that, for decades, the Gulf states have served as a cornerstone of global energy security and sustainable development, being home to vast reserves of oil and natural gas and playing a vital role in ensuring stable energy supplies worldwide. She reaffirmed the UN’s role, especially the Kuwait office, in supporting shared security goals, expressing confidence that the meeting would yield practical, impactful results.

Dr. Rashid Al-Marri, Head of the GCC Emergency Management Center, emphasized that the meeting offers a vital platform to boost cooperation to protect oil and gas infrastructure; key pillars of Gulf economies and global energy stability. He highlighted the need for greater readiness amid growing threats, including terrorism, cyberattacks, and geopolitical tensions. He noted the center’s role in coordinating crisis response among member states, developing a regional emergency plan covering 13 types of risks, and working closely with the UN Office of Counterterrorism on training and capacity-building. On his part, KOC’s Assistant CEO, Musaed Al-Rasheed, stressed the importance of strengthening regional and international partnerships to secure maritime routes and energy supplies, especially as the industry faces complex geopolitical, industrial, and natural threats.(KUNA)