KUWAIT: Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms revealed that an economic mission, involving over 40 Belgian companies, will visit Kuwait in late April, signaling growing bilateral trade opportunities. During a media meeting on Francophonie on Monday, the ambassador shed light on the rich diversity and cultural significance of the Francophonie, stating that a series of events will mark Le Mois de la Francophonie in Kuwait this April.
He added “The Francophonie is more than just a linguistic community. It is a global network of over 320 million French-speaking people across five continents,” emphasizing the enduring role of French in Belgian society, education, and culture, particularly its prominence in schools and its role in cinema, literature, and comics. The ambassador continued “French is a cultural language, a language of refinement, fashion, and the arts. It plays an essential role in scientific publications and is the fifth most used language online.”
Meanwhile, the Ambassador praised the country’s growing interest in the French language, saying “I was surprised to learn that around 500,000 people in Kuwait study French, including 200,000 Kuwaitis. That shows a real appetite for the language. Reflecting on the local traditions, he noted “I greatly enjoy Kuwait’s diwaniyas, especially during Ramadan. That inspired us and other Francophone embassies to launch the French-speaking Diwaniya, a space for dialogue and cultural exchange, blending the traditions of both our societies.”
Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms
The ambassador stressed that while Kuwait is not yet a full member, expressing hope that Kuwait would eventually join the organization as a full member in the coming years, boosting its global standing. Regarding the situation in Gaza, the ambassador highlighted Belgium’s longstanding humanitarian efforts in Palestine and acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, saying that the organization, known for its cultural and linguistic focus, does not take political positions as firmly as other organizations like the European Union, which itself struggles with a unified approach to the conflict.
Regarding Belgium’s diplomatic presence in Kuwait, the ambassador revealed that last year marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, stating that Belgium puts efforts to strengthen its ties with Kuwait also in the tourism field, with the ambassador working on securing a direct flight from Kuwait to Brussels to enhance connectivity and promote Belgium’s cultural and tourism offerings. The Belgian ambassador indicated that the Francophonie celebrations in Kuwait will begin on Sunday, April 13, with a piano concert by renowned Belgian musician Olivier de Spiegelaere at the Yarmouk Cultural Center. “He has performed in over 25 countries and given more than 600 concerts,” the ambassador highlighted.
The program will include pieces by Beethoven, Debussy, César Franck, and Belgian composer Jacques Leduc. Later in the month, on April 23, the Belgian Embassy will host a Poetry Evening at the ambassador’s residence. “We will invite representatives from French-speaking embassies to read French poetry. But more importantly, I would love to hear Kuwaiti poets recite in Arabic, with translations available in French or English. Arabic is a beautiful, poetic language,” he explained.
In place of the annual drawing contest, the embassy is also planning a cultural bazaar and French film screenings in collaboration with the French Institute. He said “Francophonie is not just about language, it’s about shared values, cultural dialogue, and human connection. This month is a celebration of that spirit.” He also plans to host a “Taste of Belgium” event in May to introduce Kuwaiti visitors to Belgian cuisine, which he described as much more than just chocolate, emphasizing Belgium’s ongoing collaboration with French-speaking partners and noting the shared commitment to values such as democracy, human rights and women’s empowerment.
KUWAIT: Zain announced its sponsorship and participation in the Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week (KSEW), held in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy, and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE). At the event, Zain showcased its efforts in leveraging technological innovation to support sustainability goals and reaffirmed its role as a strategic partner to the public sector in the transition toward a sustainable digital economy.
Zain took part in the opening ceremony, attended by the event’s patron, Dr Subeeh Al-Mukhaizeem, Minister of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy, alongside Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait, ministry officials, company executives, and a distinguished group of local and international experts in energy and sustainability. This participation came as part of Zain’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its presence in national initiatives aimed at reinforcing the principles of sustainability and digital transformation. The company firmly believes in the importance of harnessing modern technologies to serve Kuwait’s environmental and developmental objectives.
Minister Al-Mukhaizeem explores Zain’s sustainable solutions at the company’s booth.
Al-Gharabally with Zain’s team at the company’s booth in the exhibition.
During the event, Zain hosted a dedicated booth at the accompanying exhibition, where it showcased a range of its latest ICT solutions that support sustainable goals. These included innovations in smart cities, smart meters, and other solutions that help reduce carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. The company’s support to this national initiative reflects its continued role as a strategic government partner in the transition toward a sustainable digital economy. It also highlighted Zain Group’s broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with global and regional efforts to combat climate change.
Zain also took the opportunity to highlight its Smart Meters Project, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity and Water back in 2017. The project marked a key milestone in upgrading Kuwait’s energy infrastructure and paved the way for the adoption of further smart and sustainable solutions nationwide. The company reiterated its support for initiatives and projects that advance the future of clean energy and contribute to building a comprehensive national sustainability ecosystem. It emphasized that collaboration between the public and private sectors remains the optimal path to achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.
Zain has set strategic targets to reduce its carbon footprint and aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. To this end, the company continues to explore cutting-edge technologies such as 5.5G, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, which can help minimize the environmental impact of the ICT sector. Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and clean energy initiatives, Zain recently installed a solar panel setup at the outdoor car park in its headquarters. The initiative promotes the use of clean energy to contribute to powering the company’s buildings and reducing its carbon emissions.
Reaffirmed its role as a strategic partner to the public sector in the journey toward a sustainable digital economy
KUWAIT: A massive dust storm hits Kuwait. Kuwait is currently experiencing strong northwesterly winds causing widespread dust storms, with wind speeds surpassing 60 kilometers per hour and visibility falling below 1,000 meters in several areas, particularly in exposed regions. – KUNA
KUWAIT: Acting Director of the Meteorology Department Dharar Al-Ali said Kuwait is currently experiencing strong northwesterly winds causing widespread dust storms, with wind speeds surpassing 60 kilometers per hour and visibility falling below 1,000 meters in several areas, particularly in exposed regions. Speaking to KUNA on Saturday, Al-Ali attributed the unstable weather conditions to the extension of a surface depression accompanied by a hot and dry air mass. This has led to rising temperatures, soil disintegration, and an increase in airborne dust.
He urged citizens and residents, especially those suffering from asthma and allergies, to wear protective masks when heading outdoors. Al-Ali also cautioned beachgoers about high sea waves, which may reach up to seven feet, and advised highway users to exercise extreme caution due to poor visibility. The official further called on the public to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts by following the Meteorology Department through its official website, mobile application, and social media platforms. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) announced that Kuwait will host the third edition of the Gulf Housing Week from May 18 to 22, under the theme “Real Estate Development for Sustainable Housing.” Deputy Director General for Public Relations and Development and official spokesperson of PAHW, Omar Al-Ruwaih, said in a press statement that the event comes as part of ongoing efforts by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to strengthen regional cooperation in the housing sector.
The initiative aims to enhance integration, address key housing challenges, and promote the exchange of expertise to support sustainability and improve quality of life across the region. Al-Ruwaih noted that the event will feature a wide range of activities, including panel discussions, a specialized exhibition, and the second edition of the Gulf Housing Hackathon, which will see the participation of male and female students from across the GCC.
He emphasized that the week’s agenda is designed to foster collaboration, encourage best practices in housing and urban development, and highlight the latest technologies supporting sustainable housing solutions. The event will commence with the 47th meeting of the GCC Technical Committee on Housing Affairs. The following day will see the official opening ceremony and the inauguration of the accompanying exhibition. On May 20, the 26th meeting of senior housing officials will be held, culminating on May 22 with the 23rd meeting of GCC Ministers Responsible for Housing Affairs.
Al-Ruwaih stressed that Gulf Housing Week seeks to encourage public-private partnerships, promote innovative and sustainable housing initiatives, and contribute to the development of integrated, safe residential environments for GCC citizens. A series of panel sessions will take place over three days, covering topics such as real estate development prospects in Kuwait, public-private partnerships in PAHW projects, and financing strategies for sustainable housing. Discussions will also address smart applications in Gulf housing projects, technological innovations, and solutions to housing challenges faced by the region. — KUNA