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Kuwait’s commitment to disability rights shown during official meetings

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BERLIN: Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities was prominently showcased during its active participation in the Third Global Disability Summit, held in Berlin, Germany. This event brought together international leaders, experts, and advocates to discuss and advance efforts towards integrating persons with disabilities into society and the workforce.

On the sidelines of the summit, Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights, Ambassador Jawaher Ibrahim Duaij Al-Sabah, held several crucial meetings aimed at fostering stronger international collaboration. One notable meeting was with Ola Abu Al-Ghaib, the Manager of the Technical Secretariat of the Global Disability Fund. The two discussed strategies for enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of human rights and disability rights. Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher emphasized Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to improving access and services for persons with disabilities, noting the importance of collaborative initiatives to develop better infrastructure and support systems.

She also highlighted the contributions of Kuwait’s humanitarian work globally, notably through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which has provided development support worldwide. Abu Ghiyab acknowledged Kuwait’s leadership in this area and expressed appreciation for the country’s significant role in advancing human rights initiatives.

At the summit, Sheikha Jawaher also met with senior German officials, including Gesa Bräutigam, Director of the Human Rights and Global Health Department at the German Foreign Ministry. Their discussions centered on enhancing Kuwait-Germany relations in the field of human rights, particularly as both countries serve on the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Parallel to these diplomatic engagements, Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah met with her Italian counterpart Alessandra Locatelli. Their discussions focused on mutual initiatives to empower persons with disabilities and integrate them more fully into society. Al-Huwailah underscored Kuwait’s efforts in this regard, highlighting programs that foster inclusion and provide specialized services for individuals with disabilities. Both ministers agreed on the importance of strengthening ties between Kuwait and Italy, particularly in areas concerning disability care and social development.

Al-Huwailah later met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Heba Hagrass. The meeting addressed the specific challenges faced by women with disabilities. The minister emphasized the importance of considering gender, disability, and economic conditions, which exacerbate the difficulties of this group.

She also mentioned that the discussions included the significance of improving the quality of services and programs provided by government bodies to ensure they are more responsive and suitable for the needs of people with disabilities, while maintaining a balance between material support and qualitative support that focuses on empowerment and encouraging active participation in society.

Dr Al-Huwailah expressed her appreciation for Dr Hagrass’s willingness to offer technical support and cooperation in training and preparing workers in the disability sector according to the latest international standards, as well as in reviewing relevant country reports submitted to the UN committees. She reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination with UN agencies to benefit from international expertise in this vital field. — KUNA

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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Workshop discusses health competency framework

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KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday inaugurated a regional workshop titled “Competency Framework”, aimed at reviewing the preliminary draft of a competency framework for public health professionals. The three-day workshop is organized by the Gulf Center for Disease Control in cooperation with the Gulf Health Council and the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC).

In his opening remarks, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry, Dr Munther Al-Hasawi, welcomed a distinguished group of public health leaders and specialists from GCC countries, emphasizing the workshop’s importance in light of the increasing need to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health workforce. Al-Hasawi stressed the critical role of investing in human capital through training, capacity building, and well-structured competency frameworks grounded in scientific and practical methodologies. He noted that public health competency goes beyond technical expertise, encompassing key administrative and interpersonal skills such as leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.

“Competency in public health is the ability to deliver appropriate, effective services to communities while achieving optimal outcomes,” Al-Hasawi said. “It includes service delivery, resource management, community engagement, and cross-sectoral cooperation.” Chairing the workshop, Dr Mohammed Al-Saeedan, Head of the Emergency Department – Public Health at KCDC, told reporters that the session aims to discuss and refine the initial draft of the framework with input from regional decision-makers and experts. The goal, he said, is to develop a comprehensive guide to strengthen the capabilities of the health workforce across GCC countries.

“Competency frameworks contribute to improving public health, increasing life expectancy, reducing the overall health burden, and advancing sustainable development,” Al-Saeedan explained. “Healthy individuals are more productive and better able to contribute to society.” He emphasized the importance of continuously updating public health guidelines and competency standards to build professional readiness and effectively address evolving health challenges. “Guidelines serve as essential tools in disease prevention and health promotion, guiding individuals and communities in making informed health choices that enhance quality of life,” he said.

Al-Saeedan noted that global shifts and the rising prevalence of diseases demand heightened preparedness and response capabilities. “As the world increasingly prioritizes prevention over treatment, public health professionals must be equipped with the highest level of skill and knowledge to manage emergencies and implement effective interventions,” he added. The workshop is expected to result in key recommendations that will shape a unified GCC approach to public health competency development and workforce excellence. — KUNA

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The hidden drivers behind high prices in Kuwait

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Although Kuwait was ranked earlier this year as the second least expensive Gulf country in the 2025 World Cost of Living Index, many residents feel that the prices of certain goods or services remain disproportionately high compared to other countries. While essential services — such as electricity, water, and fuel — are heavily subsidized and therefore inexpensive, other aspects of life, including housing, entertainment, and branded products, often carry a much steeper cost.

Therefore, according to economic expert Dr. Amer Al Tamimi, the root of the issue lies not in government policy, but in people’s behavior — whether it’s business owners inflating prices or consumers adopting high-cost lifestyles. Each year the state allocates no less than KD 6 billion in subsidies for electricity, water, fuel, and even certain food items. “In fact, the government has made life remarkably affordable for citizens — perhaps even too affordable.” But while basic goods may be inexpensive, the same cannot be said for luxury and lifestyle products. According to Al Tamimi, the high standard of living and strong purchasing power among Kuwait’s resident’s fuels intense demand for premium items — from cars and watches to high-end services and entertainment.

“These items might be cheaper elsewhere, but in Kuwait, the appetite for luxury pushes prices higher,” he explained. Even mid-range categories, such as transportation and clothing, are considered expensive when compared to regional or global averages. Social behavior plays a significant role in shaping price dynamics. “Some individuals, despite earning modest incomes, make choices driven by appearances,” said Al Tamimi. “Someone earning KD 1,000 might buy a car with KD 500 monthly installments just to keep up an image.”

This desire to showcase wealth creates an artificial demand for high-end goods and services. As demand rises, so do prices, creating a feedback loop that affects everything from café menus to car dealerships. “There’s a culture of excessive consumption. People need to rethink their habits, as rational consumption can lead to lower prices overall,” he suggested. This culture of overspending is reflected in many lifestyle choices. “I am surprised to see people pay for coffee delivery when they can simply an easily make it at home,” said Altamimi.

While some spending habits may be avoidable, others — like housing — are fundamental and affect nearly everyone. Al Tamimi pointed to Kuwait’s real estate market as one of the most significant contributors to the high cost of living, citing the soaring price of land. “Land alone accounts for around 70 to 75 percent of the total cost of any building,” he explained. “This is very different from many other countries, where land is more affordable and makes up a smaller portion of overall costs.” This imbalance has driven up both property prices and rent, placing a heavy burden on households and businesses alike. For many residents, housing expenses consume a large share of their monthly income.

Another key issue, Al Tamimi argued, is the lack of competition in certain markets. “Some goods are effectively monopolized by one, two, or three importers,” he noted. This concentration of market power gives a small number of players the ability to set prices with little competitive pressure. To address this, he urged efforts to open up the market. “Breaking these monopolies and encouraging more entrepreneurs to enter different sectors could help,” he said. “We need to streamline business procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that currently discourage new players. In many cases, we only have a handful of stores selling certain products. More competition will ultimately benefit the consumer.”

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