VIENNA: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Talal Al-Fassam, on Wednesday reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing technical cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and supporting its programs in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Speaking at the 69th session of the IAEA General Conference, Al-Fassam highlighted Kuwait’s ongoing collaboration with the agency, including the preparation of the fourth National Cooperation Program Framework (2026-2035), which outlines national priorities and addresses the needs of relevant stakeholders to strengthen bilateral technical cooperation.

He noted that Kuwait hosts four regional service and cooperation centers in partnership with the IAEA, covering medicine, marine environment and radiation protection. Additionally, the Environmental and Life Sciences Research Center at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) has been re-designated as an IAEA cooperation center to monitor radioactive contamination in regional waters. Al-Fassam also pointed out that KISR’s Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory has been accredited as a regional resource center for environmental radiation monitoring within the framework of the Arab States in Western Asia (ARASIA), following a memorandum of understanding signed during the conference.

Highlighting last year’s achievements, the Ambassador cited key joint projects, including initiatives to combat and treat cancer, monitor marine microplastic pollution and assess its impact on seafood safety. He stressed Kuwait’s commitment to nuclear security through its Integrated National Nuclear Security Plan, which continues to strengthen the country’s infrastructure in this vital field. Al-Fassam praised the efforts of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and agency experts in ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities worldwide.

Kuwaiti delegation, headed by Ambassador Talal Al-Fassam with the Director of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Dr Faisal Al-Humaidan.

Ambassador Al-Fassam reaffirmed Kuwait’s stance supporting the right of all states to peaceful nuclear energy under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). He called on Iran to continue transparent cooperation with the IAEA to resolve outstanding issues and welcomed the recent agreement to resume joint cooperation between Iran and the agency under Egyptian auspices, describing it as a constructive step.

He also warned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, urging North Korea to comply with international treaties and Security Council resolutions and to cooperate fully with the IAEA. Kuwait further expressed appreciation for progress in Syria’s cooperation with the agency, leading to the resolution of issues related to the Deir ez-Zor site in line with international obligations.

Al-Fassam reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone and eliminating all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. He pointedly criticized the Zionist entity for refusing to join the NPT and for denying comprehensive IAEA safeguards on its nuclear facilities, stressing the need for international pressure on the occupying power. The Ambassador condemned the Zionist entity’s ongoing aggression against Qatar, describing it as a threat to regional security and stability, and reaffirmed Kuwait’s support for measures taken by Qatar to safeguard its sovereignty and protect citizens and residents.

Addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Palestine, Al-Fassam highlighted the unprecedented suffering of the Palestinian people, including genocide, displacement and siege, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He urged the international community and the Security Council to act decisively to end these practices, halt collective punishment, and prevent further expansion of settlements. Concluding his address, Ambassador Al-Fassam reaffirmed Kuwait’s ongoing support for the IAEA’s programs, emphasizing the country’s contributions to sustainable development and the enhancement of nuclear safety and security systems. He extended gratitude to the Conference Presidency and the agency for their continued efforts. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways has announced the acceptance of the second batch of students from the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, specializing in ground services for private air transport at Kuwait Airways, in cooperation with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training. Kuwait Airways signed a cooperation protocol last year with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training to establish a diploma program in ‘Air Transport Ground Services’ at the Authority’s Institute of Communications and Navigation.

Ghazlan Al-Tashah, Acting Director of the Training and Development Department at Kuwait Airways, stated that the acceptance of the second batch of students from the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, specializing in Air Transport Ground Services, is the continuation of the ongoing strategy to train and qualify students for specialized roles at Kuwait Airways. She pointed out that the national carrier is committed to injecting new talent from the next generation, who will play a vital role in the continued development and progress of Kuwait Airways in the future.

Al-Tashah added that Kuwait Airways has opened the door for its students to provide job opportunities within the company by providing specialized training courses across various operational sectors, including passenger services, cargo, sales, and security. The students are also being prepared and qualified through the combined expertise of Kuwait Airways employees and the academic staff at the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, in preparation for their integration into the company’s workforce in the coming period.

Al-Tashah stated that Kuwait Airways is committed to preparing and training future generations to serve both their country and the national carrier. She indicated that Kuwait Airways has consistently shown interest in empowering youth and nurturing national talent, who play a vital role in contributing to the company’s growth and advancement. This commitment contributes to raising the standards of excellence and positively impacts the quality of services provided to valued customers, ensuring their needs are met. Al-Tashah extended her sincere congratulations to the students accepted into this batch, wishing them continued success and prosperity in their upcoming journey with Kuwait Airways.

KUWAIT: The Center for Media Development at Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) concluded on Thursday its training program on “News Editing,” which brought together participants from KUNA, Qatar News Agency (QNA), the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Kuwait Insurance Regulatory Unit and the Kuwait Ports Authority.

The program, launched last Sunday, covered key aspects of journalistic editing, including the basics of news writing, re-editing, linguistic proofreading, and the preparation of different forms of journalistic material such as news reports, investigations, interviews, and feature stories. Participants also received training on maintaining quality standards in journalism, addressing common language errors, applying journalistic ethics, verifying information, and combating fake news in an era shaped by digital media developments.

“The mastery of accurate and proper Arabic is a cornerstone in conveying the message of media institutions and communicating effectively with the public,” said Dr. Abdullah Al-Harbi, professor of Arabic at the Arab Open University and the program’s presenter. “Choosing precise vocabulary and clear formulations not only enhances credibility but also strengthens public trust,” he added.

Al-Harbi stressed that news writing and press releases extend beyond simply delivering information, serving as a means to clarify institutional goals and messages. He underlined that professional editing skills are essential for effective communication, noting that the practical training component enabled participants to directly engage in reformulating and editing news, thereby improving their professional competence and aligning with the demands of modern media.

Since its establishment in December 1995, KUNA’s Center for Media Development has been recognized as one of the region’s leading institutions for media training. Over the years, it has organized hundreds of specialized programs aimed at enhancing professional skills, upgrading media cadres, and improving the overall quality of journalistic work. — KUNA