Azerbaijan’s FM to visit Kuwait • Over 31,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited Azerbaijan
KUWAIT: Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs is set to visit Kuwait on April 29 to lead the third joint committee meeting, aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kuwait Emil Karimov revealed. Speaking during an iftar gathering with local media, Karimov emphasized the deepening bilateral relations between the two nations and highlighted the significance of the upcoming visit in bolstering diplomatic and economic ties.
The ambassador noted that the two countries recently held their first round of political consultations, marking a new milestone in their growing relationship. He also reflected on the visit of Kuwait’s Crown Prince to Azerbaijan last year, where he attended the Climate Conference and met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, further reinforcing the strong friendship between the two nations.
On the economic front, Karimov expressed Azerbaijan’s keen interest in expanding cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, food industries, and tourism. “More than 31,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited Azerbaijan last year, and we expect this number to grow further this summer,” he said, underscoring the country’s readiness to welcome visitors with its well-developed infrastructure and direct flight connections between Kuwait and Azerbaijan.
Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kuwait, Emil Karimov
The ambassador also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural ties through upcoming events and exchanges, reflecting the deepening bond between both countries. He reiterated his commitment to fostering cooperation and celebrating the shared values and traditions that unite Azerbaijan and Kuwait.
Meanwhile, Karimov spoke about Azerbaijan’s unique celebration this year, as the holy month of Ramadan coincided with Nowruz, the traditional spring festival deeply embedded in Azerbaijani heritage. “Nowruz symbolizes the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. It was celebrated alongside Eid Al-Fitr, bringing together families and communities in festive gatherings,” he said.
The ambassador elaborated on the rich traditions of Nowruz, which is observed on March 20 or 21, coinciding with the spring equinox when day and night are of equal length. “In Azerbaijan, preparations for Nowruz begin four weeks in advance, with each Monday dedicated to one of the four elements: wind, earth, water, and fire,” he explained.
Traditional customs include lighting bonfires in the streets, jumping over flames to symbolically cleanse oneself of past troubles, and preparing special sweets like baklava. “One of the festival’s highlights is planting Samani, sprouted wheat grass, which represents nature’s renewal. Families decorate their Nowruz tables with symbolic items such as colored eggs, candles, and trays of traditional sweets, much to the delight of children,” he added.
Drawing a cultural parallel between Azerbaijan and Kuwait, Karimov noted a tradition in Azerbaijan similar to Kuwait’s Girgian. “In Azerbaijan, children leave hats at neighbors’ doors to receive sweets, a tradition that closely resembles Kuwait’s Girgian celebrations during Ramadan,” he said, highlighting the shared cultural heritage between the two countries. In conclusion, the Azerbaijani ambassador expressed his gratitude to local media for their role in strengthening cultural and diplomatic relations, particularly during significant occasions like Ramadan and Nowruz.
KUWAIT: Director of the Meteorological Department Dharar Al-Ali announced that Kuwait will be affected by moderate to active northwesterly winds, with conditions expected to persist through Sunday before gradually subsiding on Monday. Speaking to KUNA, Al-Ali explained that the latest weather maps and numerical models indicate the country is under the influence of an extension of the Indian monsoon depression, accompanied by a hot, dry air mass. The resulting winds may exceed 60 km/h, stirring up dust and significantly reducing horizontal visibility to less than 1,000 meters in some areas, particularly open and desert regions. The winds are also expected to lead to high sea waves at times.
Al-Ali added that the winds will remain moderate to active on Sunday, ranging between 15 and 55 km/h, continuing to cause dusty conditions and rough sea states with waves occasionally rising above six feet. He noted that conditions will begin to improve gradually from Monday, with wind speeds decreasing and temperatures starting to rise steadily toward the end of the week. “The weather from today until Sunday evening will be generally hot and dusty during the day and tend to be hot at night, with dust expected to gradually settle in the evening hours,” Al-Ali said.
Maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 44°C and 46°C, while minimum temperatures are expected between 30°C and 33°C. Al-Ali urged motorists, especially those driving on highways, to exercise caution due to sudden drop in visibility caused by blowing dust. He also advised beachgoers to avoid the sea during periods of high waves. He called on the public to stay informed by following updates through the Meteorological Department’s official website, mobile application and social media platforms. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has contributed to the development and expansion of Undurkhaan Airport in Mongolia, marking a new milestone in the growing partnership between Kuwait and Mongolia. In a statement issued Friday, KFAED Acting Director General Waleed Al-Bahar said the project was financed through a grant previously extended by the Government of Kuwait to Mongolia under the Fund’s supervision, valued at KD 1.06 million (approximately $3.4 million).
KFAED’s Acting Director General Waleed Al-Bahar
Al-Bahar noted that the Fund also signed an additional grant agreement worth KD 80,000 (approximately $262,000) with the Mongolian government to finance the technical and economic feasibility study for the project. The objective, he said, is to transform the airport into a Category 4C international facility that would serve as a catalyst for economic growth and align with Mongolia’s Vision 2050 sustainable development strategy. “The airport expansion project is expected to become a critical transport hub, facilitating mobility, boosting trade, and unlocking new economic opportunities for the region,” Al-Bahar stated. “It will contribute significantly to long-term development and prosperity in Mongolia.”
The opening ceremony was attended by Mongolia’s Minister of Roads and Transport Delgier Saikhan, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Mongolia Mutlaq Al-Thuwaimer, and several senior Mongolian officials. To date, KFAED has provided Mongolia with soft loans totaling KD 23.7 million (approximately $77.6 million), in addition to technical assistance worth KD 519,000 (approximately $1.7 million), reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment to supporting sustainable development across Asia. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The National Campaign for Combating Cancer (CAN) on Saturday announced the launch of the 2025 Summer Haido-CAN Olympics, in collaboration with the Public Authority for Sport, under the slogan “Sports is Prevention.” In a press statement, CAN Chairman Dr Khaled Al-Saleh said the month-and-a-half-long sporting event features a series of tournaments, competitions, and physical activities tailored for various age groups. The initiative aligns with CAN’s vision of promoting a culture of fitness and public health, with the participation of 16 teams and over 120 athletes.
Dr Al-Saleh highlighted the critical role of physical activity in disease prevention, noting that an improved lifestyle and regular exercise can significantly enhance immunity and reduce risk factors associated with approximately 30 percent of cancer cases. “Sports play a vital role in lowering the risk of numerous cancer types,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director of the Haido-CAN Academy Abdullah Khaled expressed hope that the Olympics would serve as a leading platform to promote sports and wellness among youth and the wider community. “Sports are more than just competition—they are a way of life that supports both mental and physical health,” he said. Khaled noted that the event is organized through a strategic partnership between CAN and Haido-CAN Academy, in cooperation with the Public Authority for Sports. The initiative aims to reinforce the link between physical activity and the prevention of chronic illnesses, particularly cancer.
He added that the program will feature a wide range of competitions, including football, volleyball, Cine Gym challenges, bowling, athletics, tug of war, and an American penalty kick tournament. Additionally, a series of awareness workshops and community health initiatives will be held to further engage participants and raise public awareness. The Olympics officially kicked off with a padel championship, which witnessed spirited competition and high levels of sportsmanship among the participating teams.— KUNA