KUWAIT: Kuwait’s defense and security institutions stepped up regional coordination on Thursday with back-to-back high-level meetings and agreements involving the United States and France. In separate engagements, the Kuwaiti Armed Forces and National Guard both held talks with international counterparts to strengthen joint efforts on military training, intelligence sharing, and regional stability.
The Kuwait National Guard signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Gendarmerie to boost coordination in military and security fields, including joint training and the exchange of expertise. The agreement was signed by Lt Gen Hashem Al-Rifaie, Undersecretary of the National Guard, and Olivier Gauvin, French Ambassador to Kuwait.
Lt Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah meets with US Central Command Commander Gen Michael Kurilla.
According to a statement from the National Guard, Al-Rifaie emphasized the Kuwaiti leadership’s commitment—under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah—to deepening ties with France across multiple sectors. Al-Rifaie conveyed the National Guard’s appreciation and highlighted the “long-standing, distinguished historical relations” between Kuwait and France.
Separately, Lt Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces, met with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen Michael Kurilla to discuss “a number of issues of mutual interest,” according to a statement from the Kuwaiti General Staff. The meeting, held at Lt Gen Al-Sabah’s office, covered regional and international developments, and ways to expand bilateral military cooperation. The two sides also “exchanged views on evolving security challenges in the region and how to strengthen joint military action to achieve regional security and stability,” the statement said. Both leaders praised the deep-rooted partnership between Kuwait and the United States, which they said reflects “decades of collaboration and continuous coordination.” They stressed the importance of “continued coordination and intensified joint efforts to face security challenges.” — KUNA
ZHENGZHOU, China: Kuwait’s Ambassador to China Jassem Al-Najem affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at fostering constructive media dialogue and expanding cooperation between media institutions and think tanks. Speaking at the Media and Think Tank Conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Ambassador Al-Najem highlighted the importance of such conferences in strengthening mutual understanding among SCO member states.
Kuwait’s Ambassador to China Jassem Al-Najem
He noted the summit’s focus on pressing global issues such as digital innovation, green development, sustainable growth, and cross-border cooperation, emphasizing Kuwait’s readiness to expand partnerships within the SCO framework.
Ambassador Al-Najem also underlined Kuwait’s “Kuwait Vision 2035,” which includes key infrastructure projects like Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and the Northern Economic Zone to enhance regional connectivity and investment. He praised China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a vital platform for global development and reiterated Kuwait’s early commitment to the initiative since 2014. He also conveyed Kuwait’s support for global cooperation efforts launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Ambassador Al-Najem highlighted Kuwait’s recent full membership in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and reaffirmed Kuwait’s role in supporting development through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which has financed projects in over 100 developing countries. The ambassador conveyed greetings from Kuwait’s Minister of Information, Culture and State Minister for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, wishing the summit success in strengthening regional and international media cooperation.
Kuwait’s delegation at the forum includes Acting Director General Mohammad Al-Mannai, Acting Editor-in-Chief Mohammad Al-Bahar and Head of Marketing and Public Relations Lamia Al-Farsi. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s announced intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine.
In a press release, the ministry commended this significant step that would contribute to implementing relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative in a way that enables the Palestinian people to have self-determination and establish their independent Palestinian state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem being its capital.
The ministry called on other countries to follow suit in order to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause. — KUNA
KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways announced on Friday achieving revenues of USD 324 million in the second quarter of 2025, marking a six percent increase compared to the first quarter.
Kuwait Airways Corporation reported operating revenues of USD 285 million in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting a 14 percent increase compared to the first quarter, according to a statement on its official X platform account.
The company added that operating expenses declined by USD 19.4 million, representing a 20 percent reduction over the same period.
It also noted that the number of departure flights reached 7,063 during second quarter of 2025, marking a nine percent increase compared to the previous quarter, while the total number of passengers transported reached one million. — KUNA