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: Chief of the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Lt Gen Khaled Al-Shuraian on Monday bestowed the rank of colonel on members of the 35th officers’ batch, in accordance with an Amiri Decree issued by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. In a press statement, Lt Gen Al-Shuraian conveyed the congratulations of Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah to the newly promoted officers.
He expressed hope the promotions would serve as an incentive for greater dedication and continued service to the nation. The ceremony was attended by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense Sheikh Dr Abdullah Mishal Al-Sabah, members of the Military Defense Council and several senior army officers. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The Economic Platform, a Kuwaiti media initiative focused on financial markets and corporate performance, held a dialogue session on Monday titled “Climate Change and Economic Challenges” to bolster the country’s sustainable development efforts. The discussion centered on two key themes: the economic impacts of climate change and strategies for adaptation and loss mitigation. The session was moderated by astronomy researcher Khaled Al-Jumaan and featured meteorologist Issa Ramadan, Kuwait Economic Society Secretary General Mohammad Al-Jouan, energy and construction researcher Dr Majed Al-Rashidi, and Building Information Modeling consultant Asmaa Al-Saleh.
Panelists outlined the main drivers of sustainable development in Kuwait, highlighting the interdependence of renewable energy, environmental considerations and infrastructure. They also evaluated the current national landscape in these areas, underscoring their direct connection to the country’s economic performance. Addressing the first theme, participants exchanged perspectives on the effects of climate change on key sectors, including renewable energy production, infrastructure, urban expansion and future development trends in the region. Each expert offered an individual assessment of current conditions and recent scientific findings related to climate, energy and infrastructure and their economic implications.
The moderator in charge of the dialogue session is astronomy researcher Khaled Al-Jumaan.
Director of the Economic Platform, Muhannad Youssef, during his opening speech.- KUNA photos
A number of specialists in the fields of economics, energy and the environment attended the dialogue session entitled ‘Climate Change and Economic Challenges’.
In the second theme, focused on adaptation and minimizing losses, the speakers stressed the need for modern strategies to confront climate-related economic challenges and maintain balance between growth and environmental responsibility. They called for a forward-looking vision that includes green urban planning, emission reduction, investment in renewable energy projects and enhanced infrastructure development.
Following the session, the participating experts are expected to convene to issue comprehensive recommendations on advancing sustainable development across various sectors of the national economy. Established in 2023, Economic is a Kuwaiti platform that blends in-depth analysis with visual storytelling on major economic and financial issues in Kuwait, the Gulf, the wider Middle East and beyond. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The Embassy of Spain in Kuwait celebrated the Spanish National Day on Sunday, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense, Sheikh Dr Abdullah Mishal Al-Sabah. In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Spain to Kuwait Manuel Hernandez Gamallo emphasized the importance of the occasion, marking Spain as one of the oldest nation-states in the world, a country united by diverse languages and cultural traditions.
The ambassador emphasized the strength of the relations between Spain and Kuwait, saying “Our relations with Kuwait are deep and solid, based on cultural affinities and people-to-people relations. Those relations are flourishing more than ever.” He revealed that nearly 50,000 Kuwaiti travelers visited Spain this year, noting that recent visa facilitation measures within the Schengen area have made travel easier.
Ambassador of Spain to Kuwait Manuel Hernandez Gamallo
The audience at the ceremony.
The Ambassador highlighted significant progress in bilateral cooperation, including the Spanish Kuwaiti Joint Economic Committee held in Kuwait last May, which brought together business leaders and officials from sectors aligned with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. Notably, several agreements are currently in progress to further strengthen trade and investment ties. On the academic level, the Ambassador highlighted Kuwait’s recognition of degrees from 45 Spanish universities, with several institutions including Madrid, Navarra and Barcelona granted “excellence” status in select disciplines, expressing hope to see more Kuwaiti students studying in Spain in the coming years.
He also announced the upcoming direct air connection between Kuwait and Madrid, adding to the existing routes to Barcelona and seasonal flights to Malaga, which will further boost tourism and connectivity. The Spanish Ambassador reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to dialogue among civilizations, the rule of international law, and the defense of human rights, underlining Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine and its ongoing efforts to promote a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, commending Kuwait’s steadfast humanitarian role and its contribution to regional stability.
He added “Spain salutes the State of Kuwait as a staunch defender of international law, a factor of stability, and a first-rate contributor to humanitarian causes in the world,” extending congratulations to Kuwait for successfully hosting the GCC–EU Ministerial Meeting held recently in Kuwait. The Ambassador also recognized the 450 Spaniards currently residing in Kuwait, many of whom are professionals working in fields such as education, business, health, sports, energy, and infrastructure. The Ambassador concluded by extending greetings on behalf of King Felipe VI and the Government of Spain, wishing continued progress and prosperity to the State of Kuwait and its people.
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