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Kuwait plans to borrow KD 3-6bn

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KUWAIT: Kuwait plans to return to the global debt market this year and is expected to borrow between KD 3 to 6 billion during the current 2025/2026 fiscal year to finance development projects, a finance ministry official said on Monday. Director of Public Debt at the Finance Ministry Faisal Al-Muzaini said during a presentation of the new debt law that the funds will be borrowed from global and domestic markets to fund a number of development projects.

Kuwait issued a new debt law in March, putting a ceiling of KD 30 billion on public debt and maturity at 50 years. It will be the first time Kuwait returns to borrowing since 2017. Al-Muzaini however said the ratio of debt to gross domestic product (GDP) in Kuwait is minuscule at just 2.9 percent, whereas it is 60 to 70 percent in many countries. He said that the 2025-2030 five-year strategic borrowing plan will be determined by oil prices, global markets and risks associated with borrowing.

Al-Muzaini described the public debt law as one of the most important reform measures in the history of public finances for Kuwait. “This law sends a strong message of fiscal discipline and credibility to global markets. It is expected to contribute to enhancing Kuwait’s credit profile, drawing wider investor interest and advancing the country’s transition toward a diversified economy.”

Finance Ministry Undersecretary Aseel Al-Munaifi said the new debt law will stimulate the economic environment and promote foreign investments into Kuwait, besides accelerating economic growth and strengthening the banking system in Kuwait.

“The law will support the restructuring of government financing, reduce borrowing costs and strengthen Kuwait’s credit rating,” she said. “It reflects positively on the state’s borrowing capabilities under competitive conditions and helps build up financial reserves to meet commitments amid evolving economic circumstances.”

Al-Munaifi said a law regulating the issuance of sukuk, or Islamic bonds, is expected to be issued soon as it is being reviewed by authorities at the Council of Ministers. The debt law also allows the issuance of financial instruments and establishes a long-term legal framework for public borrowing.

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KEPS launches region’s first women-focused climate action guide

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KUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) on Saturday launched a groundbreaking publication titled “Women’s Guide to Climate Action and Shared Responsibility,” marking a significant step by civil society to empower women and strengthen their role in addressing the climate crisis. KEPS Secretary General and book supervisor Jenan Behzad said in a press statement that the guide is the first of its kind in the region. It offers a comprehensive look into women’s contributions to environmental efforts, combining scientific insight, social analysis, and real-life experiences of pioneering Arab women in the fields of climate action and sustainable development.

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Behzad noted that the guide was prepared with contributions from 11 Arab female writers representing Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE, Tunisia, Lebanon and Iraq. The book is divided into five chapters, tackling key themes such as the impact of climate change on women, environmental and social responsibility, Arab women’s leadership in climate initiatives, and a practical guide for applying sustainability principles at home. She emphasized that KEPS aims, through this publication, to enrich the Kuwaiti and Arab environmental library with knowledge resources that reflect climate challenges from a gender-based perspective.

The guide also seeks to encourage women to take on active roles as essential partners in environmental protection. “Women are vital actors in crafting solutions and driving transformations toward a sustainable future, drawing on their leading roles within families and across social and political spheres,” Behzad said. She added that the book was produced in response to the recommendations of a workshop titled “Women between Climate Change and Sustainable Development,” held in cooperation with the National Association for Family Security. — KUNA

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Kuwait urges mutual respect, impartiality at UNHRC session

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GENEVA: Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to mutual respect and constructive engagement in the field of human rights, calling for the avoidance of politicization and selectivity in the provision of technical cooperation and capacity-building. This came during a statement delivered by Diplomatic Attaché Asmaa Abdullah Al-Hajji at a panel discussion on capacity-building and technical cooperation, held within the framework of the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

Al-Hajji stressed the importance of ensuring that technical cooperation efforts are guided by the specific requests of countries and aligned with their national priorities and development strategies. She reiterated Kuwait’s belief that such cooperation should support sustainable and inclusive progress, in line with the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. She further highlighted Kuwait’s emphasis on the value of experience-sharing and best practices among countries, grounded in principles of partnership, mutual understanding, and respect for the cultural and social particularities of each state. This, she said, is vital to creating an environment that promotes and protects rights and freedoms.

Al-Hajji also affirmed Kuwait’s readiness to maintain its engagement with UN human rights mechanisms and to support initiatives aimed at building the capacities of countries in protecting human rights within a framework of solidarity and respect. The panel discussion explored the role of technical cooperation in supporting the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its efforts to assist countries in enhancing their national human rights institutions. It also underscored the significance of national mechanisms for implementation, reporting, and follow-up, as part of a holistic approach to safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms. — KUNA

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Dusty winds and high temperatures expected

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KUWAIT: Director of the Meteorological Department Dharar Al-Ali announced that Kuwait will be affected by moderate to active northwesterly winds, with conditions expected to persist through Sunday before gradually subsiding on Monday. Speaking to KUNA, Al-Ali explained that the latest weather maps and numerical models indicate the country is under the influence of an extension of the Indian monsoon depression, accompanied by a hot, dry air mass. The resulting winds may exceed 60 km/h, stirring up dust and significantly reducing horizontal visibility to less than 1,000 meters in some areas, particularly open and desert regions. The winds are also expected to lead to high sea waves at times.

Al-Ali added that the winds will remain moderate to active on Sunday, ranging between 15 and 55 km/h, continuing to cause dusty conditions and rough sea states with waves occasionally rising above six feet. He noted that conditions will begin to improve gradually from Monday, with wind speeds decreasing and temperatures starting to rise steadily toward the end of the week. “The weather from today until Sunday evening will be generally hot and dusty during the day and tend to be hot at night, with dust expected to gradually settle in the evening hours,” Al-Ali said.

Maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 44°C and 46°C, while minimum temperatures are expected between 30°C and 33°C. Al-Ali urged motorists, especially those driving on highways, to exercise caution due to sudden drop in visibility caused by blowing dust. He also advised beachgoers to avoid the sea during periods of high waves. He called on the public to stay informed by following updates through the Meteorological Department’s official website, mobile application and social media platforms. — KUNA

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