KUWAIT: Director of the Health, Safety and Environment Department at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Nasser Al-Buhairi emphasized the importance of bolstering security preparedness across the oil and gas sector to safeguard the stability and sustainability of this strategic industry. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a high-level Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) workshop on oil and gas infrastructure protection and crisis management, Al-Buhairi stressed that the region’s energy sector must remain fully equipped to confront both existing and emerging risks.

The three-day workshop, held at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition Center in Ahmadi, is jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Kuwait Oil Company, and the GCC Emergency Management Center. Al-Buhairi noted that Gulf oil companies are working to boost operational readiness and develop their technical and human resources to face a broad spectrum of threats. He said the workshop primarily focuses on securing oil facilities and promoting collective preparedness among GCC member states. “Through the exchange of expertise and evaluation of plans, we aim to elevate the region’s response capabilities,” he stated.

He added that the initiative highlights the vital role of the oil and gas industry in the region and the evolving challenges it faces in today’s geopolitical climate. The workshop, he explained, is expected to yield key recommendations that will support the development of scientific and operational expertise while reinforcing global energy market stability through secure energy supply systems.

Al-Buhairi also underscored the strategic importance of the GCC Emergency Management Center, describing it as a pillar of the regional security framework. “The center plays a crucial role in harmonizing efforts and transferring expertise in the face of potential threats,” he said. He reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing energy sector resilience, noting that KOC benefits from a highly skilled national workforce. “The advancement of this sector is driven by identifying development needs, implementing robust plans and sharing knowledge with qualified national cadres,” he said.

The workshop, which opened Tuesday, brought together regional and international experts to strengthen crisis management capabilities and safeguard energy infrastructure. In a recorded address, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi affirmed the Gulf region’s central role in ensuring global energy security, describing the region’s energy supplies as a cornerstone of the global economy.

Director of the Health, Safety and Environment Department at Kuwait Oil Company, Nasser Al-Buhairi.

Al-Budaiwi said GCC countries are facing three core challenges: keeping pace with the global energy transition, meeting growing domestic demand and preserving the stability of international energy markets. He stressed that protecting energy assets is essential to global economic health and outlined a security vision based on regional and international partnerships, maritime security and uninterrupted energy supply.

He warned of increasing threats posed by non-state actors using drones, ballistic missiles, and other technologies to target critical energy infrastructure, calling for intensified cooperation to curb such threats and ensure compliance with international arms control resolutions. Highlighting the region’s geopolitical significance, Al-Budaiwi noted that instability in the Middle East could impact key maritime routes — including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandab, and the Suez Canal — disrupting global energy and trade flows.

In a separate recorded message, UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov stressed the growing urgency of protecting energy infrastructure, warning that a single terrorist attack could trigger widespread disruption across healthcare, transportation, and food supply systems. He pointed to UN Security Council Resolution 2341, which calls for the criminalization of attacks on critical infrastructure, as well as the recently developed UN Technical Guide for Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure, produced with support from Russia and Turkmenistan.

UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Taher described the workshop as a valuable platform to share best practices and strengthen operational frameworks. She commended Gulf countries for their leadership in energy security, while urging greater cooperation to tackle growing threats to energy networks that jeopardize environmental, human, and economic security. Chairman of the GCC Emergency Management Center Dr. Rashid Al-Marri highlighted the center’s role in fostering regional coordination and preparedness, noting the development of a comprehensive emergency plan addressing 13 categories of risk. He emphasized the value of global partnerships, especially with the UNOCT, in enhancing capacity building and training efforts.

KOC Deputy CEO for Commercial and Shared Services Musaed Al-Rasheed outlined the increasingly complex landscape of threats to the oil industry, citing geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks, and market volatility as key risks. He stressed the Gulf’s vital contribution to global energy, citing 2023 figures that showed GCC countries produced 17 million barrels of crude oil per day — more than 23 percent of global output — and hold over 511 billion barrels in reserves, accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s total. Al-Rasheed concluded by reaffirming the region’s commitment to safeguarding energy infrastructure and ensuring reliable energy supplies through robust preparedness and strategic regional cooperation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Football academies across Kuwait have grown into year-round hubs for athletic and personal development, offering children and youth valuable opportunities to enhance both physical fitness and life skills. These academies, catering to children as young as four, go beyond sharpening athletic abilities by promoting discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, resilience and self-confidence. With limited vacancies in official sports clubs, a growing number of aspiring players are turning to academies as a practical alternative for professional-level training. Although comparable in quality, academy training typically operates up to three days a week and enrollment costs are borne by families.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), academy owner Mohammad Saleh said he established his licensed football academy in 2019 after fulfilling all regulatory requirements. He voiced concern over the rise of unlicensed academies, which often attract families with lower fees but offer minimal training value and lack adherence to proper sporting standards. Saleh highlighted the success of his academy, noting that several graduates have gone on to join Kuwait’s national youth team. “Qualified coaching staff are the backbone of any academy,” he said, emphasizing the importance of hiring certified professionals with a strong grasp of both technical and ethical aspects of football.

Among the key challenges academies face, Saleh cited the shortage of suitable training grounds, with demand consistently exceeding availability. He also underscored the importance of player safety, calling on all academies to be equipped with first aid kits and emergency response plans. To counter Kuwait’s extreme summer heat, Saleh noted that training sessions are held after sunset, making the environment safer and more comfortable. He added that summer months witness higher enrollments as club activities pause and parents seek meaningful outlets for their children.

In a separate statement, coach Yousef Khajah stressed the importance of early football education, stating that young ages are ideal for developing core skills. “Specialized coaches can guide youth more effectively,” he said, adding that the academy often invites prominent Kuwaiti footballers to inspire young players. Khajah said the academy’s goal extends beyond skill development to include fostering teamwork, mutual respect, and discipline — elements often missing in the digital age. “Sports offer far more benefits than hours spent on electronic games, which can lead to fatigue and poor focus,” he noted.

For academy player Saleh Mohammad, the training has paid off. A member since 2019 and now a key player in Kuwait’s national youth team, he credited the academy for nurturing his talent and supporting his mental well-being. “Summer training keeps me fit during the off-season and helps me return to my club and national duties in top form,” he said, encouraging his peers to make productive use of their free time through sports. Meanwhile, academy owner Abdullah Abdulhassan shared that his academy recruits professional coaches, particularly from Spain, known for their advanced training methods and tactical expertise. “We welcome players from the age of four and have no upper age limit, ensuring everyone can benefit from physical activity,” he said.

Abdulhassan described the work as fulfilling, especially when trainees progress to professional clubs or national teams. “Academies build confidence, cultivate friendships, and shape well-rounded individuals — not just footballers,” he added. While acknowledging the financial strain on some families, especially those enrolling multiple children, he stressed that the long-term benefits in health, discipline and character development outweigh the costs. He called for greater investment in academies to support the emergence of a promising generation for Kuwaiti football. With club activities suspended during summer, families increasingly rely on academies to keep their children active. Some academies rent indoor venues, while others adapt by scheduling evening sessions.

Echoing similar sentiments, academy owner Abdulrahman Omar told KUNA that his primary goal is to nurture emerging talent and provide structured training to youth who may lack access to sports activities. He said training sessions typically begin around 7:30 pm and are divided into recreational warmups and football-specific drills. “Modern academies are now emulating clubs by participating in local mini-leagues, organizing matches and even holding training camps abroad,” Omar said, noting these experiences help players gain confidence and exposure to competitive environments. —

However, he pointed to ongoing challenges, particularly the scarcity of training facilities and a lack of financial support. “Despite participation from nearly 20 academies in local tournaments, the absence of sponsorship means costs are rarely recovered,” he said. As football academies continue to fill the gap left by limited club access, their growing role in developing Kuwait’s next generation of footballers—and responsible citizens—cannot be overstated. — KUNA

SEVILLE: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday aimed at enhancing cooperation and accelerating the implementation of sustainable infrastructure projects in jointly prioritized regions. The agreement was signed by AFESD Director General and Chairman Bader Al-Saad and AIIB President Jin Liqun on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, currently underway in Seville, southern Spain.

In a statement, Al-Saad said the strategic partnership aligns with the Fund’s mission of supporting sustainable development in Arab countries in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This collaboration will bolster our resources and strengthen our role in financing infrastructure, contributing to a more prosperous and sustainable future for the region,” he noted. He emphasized that the partnership underscores both institutions’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and adopting innovative, demand-driven approaches to infrastructure financing.

AIIB President Jin Liqun described the partnership with the Arab Fund as “a significant milestone in our shared commitment to sustainable development.” He added: “By leveraging AIIB’s global infrastructure expertise and the Arab Fund’s deep regional knowledge, we can jointly implement impactful projects that tackle pressing issues such as climate change and regional interconnectivity.”

Jin noted that both institutions will collaborate to mobilize additional resources and promote innovation in infrastructure financing. He explained that the MoU lays out a comprehensive framework for cooperation, including joint project preparation and co-financing for both sovereign and non-sovereign sectors. Strategic priorities covered under the agreement include enhancing climate resilience, cross-border connectivity, digital infrastructure and sustainable urban development.

Founded in 2016, the Beijing-based AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a capital base of $100 billion and 110 approved members. It focuses on infrastructure financing that fosters a sustainable and inclusive global future. Established in 1972 and headquartered in Kuwait, the Arab Fund is a regional financial institution dedicated to supporting economic and social development in the Arab world.

The Fund finances projects in infrastructure, health, education, water, and public services through a range of instruments, including loans, grants and technical assistance. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, hosted by Spain, kicked off Monday and runs through Thursday. The conference aims to advance solutions to global development financing challenges and develop a new framework for achieving the SDGs. — KUNA