KUWAIT: The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Experts’ Meeting commenced in Kuwait on Wednesday under the theme “Enhancing International Judicial Cooperation and Handling Evidence in Terrorism Cases.” Co-chaired by Kuwait and Kenya, the two-day meeting brings together 49 representatives from 27 countries and international organizations.

Assistant Foreign Minister for Development and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of Security Council Resolutions, Ambassador Hamad Al-Mashaan, highlighted the significance of Kuwait hosting the meeting as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to support the GCTF’s objectives and strengthen global coordination in countering terrorism.

The International Counter-Terrorism Forum’s expert meeting kicks off in Kuwait with the participation of 27 countries and organizations.- KUNA photos

Al-Mashaan recalled that Kuwait organized a GCTF workshop last October titled “Disengagement, Deradicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration” in cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), which drew more than 90 participants, including policymakers, civil society representatives and international experts. He also underscored Kuwait’s contributions to combating terrorism through bilateral cooperation with sisterly and friendly countries, particularly regarding foreign terrorist fighters.

Since 2018, Kuwait has facilitated the relocation of over 1,500 foreign terrorist fighters and their families from northeastern Syria to their countries of origin via its air bases, and continues to accept requests from partner nations for the repatriation of their citizens. Al-Mashaan expressed hope that the meeting will foster the exchange of expertise and experiences among participating countries and strengthen collaboration between their legal and judicial institutions in handling evidence and processing terrorism cases. — KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah on Wednesday honored Corporal Khaled Musaed Al-Dhafiri of the General Department of Land Ports Security at Salmi Border Crossing, in recognition of his vigilance, dedication and exemplary security efforts. The ceremony was held in the presence of Salmi Border Crossing Administration Director Brigadier Ali Al-Tammar.

According to a ministry press statement, Al-Dhafiri successfully thwarted an attempt by an individual to enter Kuwait illegally using an entry printout belonging to another person in an effort to mislead security personnel. Subsequent security checks revealed that the individual was wanted in multiple cases over several years.

The ministry underscored that this achievement reflects the alertness and professionalism of Land Ports Security personnel, highlighting their critical role in safeguarding the nation’s borders and preventing illegal crossings. It praised the officer’s sense of responsibility and the high level of diligence exhibited by security staff in carrying out their duties. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Representative of His Highness the Prime Minister, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi highlighted the political leadership’s commitment to promoting cultural dialogue and strengthening communication among peoples during the opening of the exhibition “Divergence and Convergence: Chinese Art in Kuwait” on Wednesday. The event, organized by Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister, is part of the Kuwait Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025 program.

Al-Mutairi said the exhibition represents a significant milestone in cultural cooperation between Kuwait and the People’s Republic of China, reflecting strong bilateral relations founded on mutual respect and a shared desire to expand partnership across various fields. He praised the General Supervisor of Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah, Sheikha Hessa Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, for her dedication and pioneering initiatives in promoting Kuwait’s cultural presence internationally and highlighting the aesthetic values of human heritage.

“Thanks are extended to all who contributed to the success of this major cultural and artistic event,” Al-Mutairi said, recalling with pride the official visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to China in 2023, which laid the groundwork for a new phase of comprehensive strategic cooperation and enhanced cultural, economic, scientific and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries. Sheikha Hessa Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah said the exhibition embodies the vision of her late husband, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who believed that art serves as a universal language of dialogue and a bridge for human understanding through shared creativity.

She noted that the exhibition’s title reflects the mission of Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, demonstrating that geographical distance can be bridged through creativity while highlighting the cultural and economic ties between Kuwait and China. The exhibition, which will run until the end of 2026, is among the most prominent cultural events in Kuwait and showcases the historical depth of relations between Kuwait and China, promoting East-West cultural interaction through the universal language of art.

Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Liu Xiang described the exhibition as a testament to the enduring friendship between Kuwait and China, praising the Kuwaiti leadership for fostering cultural exchange in recent years. Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Islamic Antiquities Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Sheikha Dr Al-Anoud Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, emphasized that the event is more than an art exhibition — it is a cultural bridge linking East and West and reflecting the depth of human and cultural exchange between the two nations.

She noted that tangible achievements have been made since last year’s conference, “The Distant Distances and the Convergence of Relations… The Silk Road, a Link Between Two Worlds,” which paved the way for the current exhibition. The event features participation from specialized Chinese researchers in collaboration with experts from the House of Islamic Antiquities and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters. — KUNA