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GCC health ministers adopt 4-year public health plan

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Strategy launches new phase in regional health cooperation focused on prevention: Al-Awadhi

KUWAIT: Gulf health ministers on Saturday approved a series of initiatives and strategic plans aimed at strengthening cooperation and modernizing healthcare systems across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The decisions came at the conclusion of the 88th GCC Health Ministers Council meeting and the 11th meeting of the Health Ministers Committee, both chaired by Kuwait’s Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi.

Speaking at the 88th council meeting, Al-Awadhi said the agenda “reflects the shared Gulf vision” and focuses on initiatives that “lay the foundation for a new stage of collective health action based on prevention, health promotion and readiness to face risks.”

He highlighted the GCC Public Health Plan (2026–2030), describing it as a roadmap for the coming years. Joint projects such as the Unified Procurement Program and Drug Registration Project have become practical models to ensure the availability of safe, effective medicines and medical supplies while rationalizing spending. The council also discussed the Wafed program, which screens expatriates entering member states to ensure they are medically fit and free of infectious or chronic diseases. Al-Awadhi added that the region’s health future “extends beyond exchanging expertise and coordinating efforts to building advanced systems founded on innovation, digital transformation and investment in human capabilities.”

Advancing Gulf integration

At the 11th ministerial committee meeting, Al-Awadhi said Gulf health cooperation “is moving forward confidently.” He pointed to the GCC Strategy to Combat Drugs (2025–2026) as “a collective response to a cross-border challenge that requires integrated efforts to protect youth and safeguard the future of our nations.” The minister also emphasized the growing role of digital transformation and health innovation, calling them “two main pillars in developing Gulf health systems.”

Following the meetings, the GCC Secretariat said ministers approved several resolutions aimed at strengthening regional healthcare systems. These included endorsing the strategic outcomes of the GCC anti-drug strategy related to treatment and rehabilitation, adopting a unified work plan for the Committee of Health Ministers for 2026–2030, and strengthening the Joint Committee for Healthy Cities to align with national visions. Details of the plans were not immediately available. Ministers also announced the launch of the GCC Health Excellence Award to promote innovation and quality in healthcare services, and underscored the need to adopt innovation-driven and digital practices, expand cooperation with regional and international partners, and develop programs to support persons with disabilities while reducing causes of disability. — KUNA

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Today in Kuwait’s history | Kuwait Times Newspaper

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KUWAIT: 1956 — Moudhi Al-Sarhan became the first Kuwaiti female to join the Ministry of Interior’s correctional institute.

1981 — Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree to establish the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University, as well as changing the name of the Faculty of Law and Sharia to the Faculty of Law.

1990 — Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah patronized a popular conference in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Participants in the three-day national event reiterated their commitment to the legitimate Kuwaiti leadership in the face of Iraqi aggression against the State of Kuwait.

1990 — Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), which was occupied and looted by Iraqi invaders of the State of Kuwait, began broadcasting from an interim headquarters in London, UK, to provide subscribers with news about occupied Kuwait.

1999 — Kuwait won the Gulf Junior Squash Championship, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

2010 — Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) signed a KD 11 million loan agreement with Mauritania to finance construction of a Nouakchott University campus.

2017 — The KFAED signed a KD 12 million loan agreement with Senegal to reconstruct a major highway.

2018 — Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center won the Best Services Architecture Building award in the Middle East and North Africa. — KUNA

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Nod to conditional foreign ownership of property in Kuwait

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KUWAIT: An Amiri decree published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm on Sunday has allowed listed companies in which non-Kuwaitis have shares to own property in the country, excluding private residences. Under a Kuwaiti law issued in 1979, such companies were barred from owning property in the country and only Arab individuals can own a house or land through an Amiri decree.

Foreigners who inherit property from their Kuwaiti mothers must sell it within one year, according to the old legislation. Foreign embassies can own a maximum of 4,000 square meters to build their own premises based on mutual treatment. Most Gulf countries currently allow foreigners to own houses directly and some states even offer long-term residence permits to big buyers.

The new decree, however, made an amendment to the 1979 law, allowing listed shareholding companies, real estate funds and investment portfolios with non-Kuwaiti ownership to buy real estate. Such companies must be listed on bourses in Kuwait and one of their purposes is trading in property, the new decree states. Such companies are, however, not allowed to purchase land used for private housing. Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are treated like Kuwaitis in owning property in Kuwait, the decree states.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced on Sunday that it has referred a senior government bureaucrat and an unspecified number of other persons to the public prosecution on suspicion of graft and filing incorrect financial statements about their wealth. Nazaha has recently referred dozens of leading government bureaucrats to the public prosecution over suspected violations regarding mandatory financial statements about their private wealth.

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Graduation ceremony marks the completion of ‘Tamooh’ program

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KUWAIT: Under the patronage and attendance of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, a graduation ceremony was held on Monday for the 10th and 11th batches of the “Tamooh” (Ambition) program for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ new recruits for the academic year 2024-2025 at the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute.

The ceremony was attended by Head of the Prime Minister’s Diwan Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Diplomatic Institute Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, along with senior officials and dignitaries. In a press statement, His Highness the Prime Minister congratulated the graduates on their achievement, noting that it reflects their competence and readiness to serve Kuwait in the diplomatic arena.

He expressed confidence in their ability to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, representing the country’s values and principles with dedication.  His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was also praised for supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its cadres in their continued mission to strengthen Kuwait’s relations abroad, serving the nation’s supreme interests and consolidating its position regionally and internationally.

Assistant Foreign Minister for the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute, Ambassador Nasser Subaih Al-Subaih, delivered a speech emphasizing the state’s commitment to preparing a new generation of diplomats equipped with knowledge, competence, initiative, and responsibility.

He prayed for the graduates’ success in serving the country under the leadership of His Highness the Amir and  His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Diplomatic Attaché Mohammed Nabil Al-Shraideh spoke on behalf of the graduates, stating that their graduation marks the beginning of their mission to serve Kuwait and pledging their full dedication and capabilities to advancing the nation’s interests. The ceremony concluded with His Highness the Prime Minister honoring the 10th and 11th batches of the “Tamooh” program at the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute. — KUNA

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