KUWAIT: The Cabinet has emphasized the importance of nationalizing health services to enhance the quality of medical care and strengthen the efficiency of national human resources. The directive was issued during the weekly Cabinet meeting held Tuesday at Bayan Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Following the session, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Abdullah Al-Maousherji said the ministers were briefed on the outcomes of Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi’s official visit to France. The visit included the signing of several memoranda of understanding with leading French medical institutions, as part of efforts to bolster Kuwait’s healthcare sector.

The Cabinet also reviewed letters sent to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah from leaders of friendly and sisterly nations, focused on enhancing bilateral ties and fostering mutual cooperation. Ministers were also informed of His Highness the Prime Minister’s recent meeting with Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Industry Kamel Al-Wazir and his accompanying delegation, during which ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

Regional and environmental cooperation

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of his official visits to Lebanon and Syria. During these visits, he met with senior officials to discuss avenues for strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the field of security. In line with Kuwait’s commitment to combating climate change, Minister of Oil Dr. Tareq Al-Roumi, along with senior officials from the Environment Public Authority, presented a long-term national roadmap aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. The strategy focuses on adopting innovative, integrated solutions to drive sustainable economic growth and enhance national resilience to climate change impacts.

Economic outlook and fiscal performance

Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments Noura Al-Fassam delivered a detailed briefing on preparations for Kuwait’s upcoming economic evaluation and assessment. She also presented the State’s final financial statement for fiscal year 2024-2025, which recorded a deficit of KD 1.056 billion. The Cabinet acknowledged the urgency of addressing financial waste and boosting non-oil revenues, calling for collective action across all government entities. It reviewed and approved draft laws related to final financial statements for the fiscal year, which will be referred to His Highness the Amir for endorsement.

Citizenship review

Lastly, the Cabinet approved the report submitted by the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Citizenship, concerning cases involving the loss and withdrawal of nationality. The decisions were made in accordance with the provisions of Law No 15 of 1959 regulating Kuwaiti nationality. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The National Bureau for Human Rights (NBHR) on Tuesday affirmed its ongoing coordination with the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) to unify regional stances and intensify efforts to confront the grave violations committed by Zionist occupation in the Gaza Strip. In a press statement, the NBHR called on the international community to uphold its moral and legal responsibilities toward the Palestinian people, particularly in light of the genocide and starvation policies being systematically implemented in Gaza.

The bureau warned that these actions constitute severe breaches of international conventions, including the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the use of food as a weapon in armed conflict. The bureau condemned the continued closure of crossings and the blockade imposed since early March of last year, noting that the occupation has been using humanitarian aid as a tool for blackmail — targeting civilians with bombardments while denying them essential supplies.

It described these acts as blatant violations of international humanitarian law and called for the immediate and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory. The NBHR stressed the urgency of halting what it described as war crimes and crimes against humanity as the aggression on Gaza enters its third year. It reiterated its appeal to the international community to act decisively to stop the violations and bring an end to the ongoing assault on Gaza.

Separately, Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, welcomed a joint statement issued by 28 countries — including the United Kingdom and France — calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza. In a statement, Aboul Gheit said the growing international condemnation reflects the deepening humanitarian crisis, particularly the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, as they attempt to access essential resources such as food and water.

He added that the joint statement signals a growing global consensus rejecting the continuation of what he described as an ethnic cleansing campaign by the occupying forces. “This operation has reached levels of brutality that defy conscience and humanity,” he said. Aboul Gheit called for translating these statements into concrete international pressure to halt what he termed a daily massacre. He cited the deaths of over 800 Palestinians killed near aid distribution points as a stark example of the severity of the situation.

He further accused the occupation of deliberately pursuing a policy of forced displacement by making life in Gaza unbearable through daily bombardment, starvation tactics, and obstruction of aid. “The world must take effective action to stop this massacre and confront the occupying state’s continued defiance of international humanitarian law,” Aboul Gheit said, describing the situation as a blatant and unprecedented affront to basic humanitarian principles. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, affirmed Tuesday that Kuwait is not merely an economic partner, but a strategic ally of Egypt. His remarks came during a visit to the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in the presence of Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.

El-Wazir highlighted the deep-rooted and exemplary political and economic ties between the two countries, praising the efforts of both governments in fostering business collaboration and promoting integration between public and private sectors. He emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation with Kuwait, citing its robust investments and strategic capabilities as key to unlocking new joint markets. He also noted the existence of an ambitious initiative to establish an integrated industrial zone shared between Egypt and Kuwait. The minister lauded the role of Kuwaiti businesspeople in strengthening economic relations with Egypt and expressed hopes for increased Kuwaiti investments, particularly in integrated industrial cities and infrastructure projects. For his part, Assistant Director General of KCCI, Firas Al-Odah, noted that the visit reflects the strength of bilateral relations and underscores a shared vision for economic renaissance and sustainable development. He commended Egypt’s recent strides in infrastructure development, particularly in the transport sector, describing it as the backbone of progress.

Al-Odah also pointed to the Kuwaiti private sector’s continued interest in the Egyptian market. He noted that Kuwaiti investments in Egypt are the largest among Gulf states, with around 1,500 Kuwaiti companies currently operating in various sectors. The total volume of Kuwaiti investment in Egypt has reached approximately $20 billion, with strong potential for further growth amid the country’s expanding investment opportunities. He reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to facilitating cooperation between the business communities of both countries, aiming to promote mutual growth, development, and prosperity.

Ambassador Shaltout also addressed the gathering, expressing appreciation for the role of the Kuwaiti private sector and investors in supporting Egypt’s economy. He reiterated the Egyptian business community’s eagerness to form strategic investment partnerships with Kuwaiti companies, further deepening economic ties. On the sidelines of the visit, a Kuwaiti-Egyptian investment forum was held with the participation of 17 Egyptian companies from diverse sectors, alongside representatives from the Kuwaiti business community. — KUNA