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GCC region remains priority for NATO, official tells Kuwait

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KUWAIT: Javier Colomina, NATO’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighborhood, emphasized that the Gulf region remains a top priority for NATO’s engagement with its southern neighborhood. During his visit to Kuwait, Colomina discussed the ongoing challenges facing the Middle East and their broader implications for global stability, underscoring NATO’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Kuwait on regional security and political issues.

In remarks delivered during the 21st meeting of the Presidents and Heads of Gulf Red Crescent Societies, hosted Thursday in Kuwait, Colomina praised the outstanding humanitarian contributions made by Kuwait and highlighted the country’s leadership role within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He extended his gratitude to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for his strong support of Gulf unity, development, and international collaboration.

Colomina reiterated that NATO seeks to enhance political dialogue with GCC countries, with particular focus on deepening ties with states outside the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) — a key NATO outreach program launched to strengthen security collaboration with the Gulf. He emphasized that one of the main objectives of his visit was to explore ways to further increase the frequency and depth of political discussions with Gulf nations, particularly in light of Kuwait’s leadership of the 45th session of the GCC.

A centerpiece of Kuwait’s collaboration with NATO is the NATO-ICI Regional Center in Kuwait City, which Colomina hailed as a leading model for successful partnership between NATO and the Gulf region. The center serves as a hub for political dialogue, military cooperation, training, and capacity-building efforts between NATO and its Gulf partners. Colomina noted that the center enables cooperation not only with ICI member states but also with a broader range of regional partners, enhancing the alliance’s engagement across multiple fields including security, defense, diplomacy, and crisis management.

In his discussions with Kuwaiti officials, Colomina addressed key regional issues such as ongoing conflicts, terrorism, cybersecurity threats, and emerging challenges like climate change, food security, and energy security. He emphasized that developing joint approaches to these issues is essential for ensuring both regional and global stability.

From the Kuwaiti side, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Jarallah, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations, reaffirmed Kuwait’s strong and continuous commitment to its partnership with NATO. Al-Jarallah highlighted Kuwait’s early participation in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative in 2004 and the significant milestone of hosting the NATO-ICI Regional Center in 2017 — a first for the region — as examples of Kuwait’s leadership and active engagement in international security cooperation.

Al-Jarallah noted that the center plays a critical role in hosting regular training sessions, workshops, and seminars in coordination with NATO officials and member states. These activities address not only traditional security concerns but also new global challenges that demand innovative and coordinated responses.

He stressed that Kuwait remains deeply committed to diplomacy, mediation, and preventive dialogue as primary tools for resolving international disputes and promoting peace. Kuwait’s foreign policy, he added, consistently prioritizes stability, peaceful coexistence, and constructive engagement with both regional neighbors and the international community.

Looking ahead, both sides affirmed the importance of maintaining and expanding high-level visits, political consultations, and practical cooperation between NATO and Kuwait. They agreed that sustained engagement would be vital for addressing shared challenges and advancing collective security and prosperity in the Gulf region and beyond. — 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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