KUWAIT: To mark Canadian Thanksgiving 2025 and Urban October 2025, UN-Habitat, the Embassy of Canada in Kuwait, the Youth Public Authority, Shamiya Greenhouse and the Canadian Women’s Network in Kuwait hosted the children’s event “Come Plant with Us!” On the sidelines of the event, the Ambassador of Canada to Kuwait, Tara Scheurwater, highlighted the spirit of gratitude and community as the Canadian Embassy celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with an environmental and educational event held at the Shamiya Greenhouse.

Ambassador Scheurwater explained that Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated at the beginning of October, marking the harvest and its connection to nature, as well as the appreciation of its abundance. She added, “In Canada, when we celebrate Thanksgiving, we do so at the beginning of October because it’s a celebration of the harvest. It’s inextricably linked with nature and with the gratitude we feel for the world around us,” expressing appreciation to the hosts for providing a space that encourages environmental awareness and community engagement.

“We decided to come to this wonderful location with our great hosts, who always do such a fantastic job welcoming the people of Kuwait. The facility here celebrates nature and teaches children and visitors the importance of cultivating and appreciating plants, as well as learning more about recycling and doing our part for the environment,” the Canadian ambassador noted. She added that the Embassy hoped the event would provide an opportunity for visitors to enjoy a meaningful and fun-filled day, while also fostering a sense of gratitude for the natural world. Additionally, the event emphasized the importance of volunteer work, with participation from several community organizations.

She said, “We have so many volunteers here today. I think we might even have more volunteers than children. Volunteers from the Canadian Women’s Association, the Youth Public Authority and the Shamiya Greenhouse have all given up their weekend to be part of this event, along with my colleagues from the Embassy.” Meanwhile, the Head of the UN-Habitat Program in Kuwait, Ameera Alhassan, highlighted the importance of environmental education, community engagement, and volunteerism as part of the UN-Habitat October Urban month celebrations.

She explained that every October, cities around the world host UN-Habitat activities promoting sustainable urban living. In Kuwait, the program collaborates annually with the Shamiya Greenhouse and this year marks the third consecutive year of organizing an educational and environmental event for children in cooperation with the Embassy of Canada. “The goal of this activity is to harness the energy of youth to train children through hands-on activities inspired by the natural environment around us. The seeds, plants, and materials used in the four main activities are all derived from natural elements found within the reserve such as seeds and tree leaves.”

She added that the activities are designed to engage children based on their talents and interests, explaining “Those with artistic abilities can join the art workshop, while others can participate in story reading or planting activities, including sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings. The idea is to step away from technology for a while and reconnect with nature especially in light of global climate change.” Alhassan emphasized that the initiative aims to provide families and children with a fun and educational weekend activity, fostering cooperation between the Kuwaiti community and the Canadian community, while encouraging learning through play; acknowledging the ongoing support of the Public Authority for Youth, which manages the Shamiya Greenhouse.

“The Authority continuously supports us, not only for this event but throughout the year. Every Saturday morning, we organize similar activities based on the season such as the recent date-harvest season, and soon we’ll host a Seed Exchange Day,” she said. She further highlighted the importance of promoting biodiversity, noting that the diversity of seeds strengthens plants, noting “It’s important to raise awareness that we shouldn’t always plant the same type of crop, we need variety to sustain healthy ecosystems.”

On volunteerism, Alhassan stressed its critical role in community development, stating “UN-Habitat has a special section dedicated to youth engagement and volunteerism and strongly encourages the training of students and volunteers. The United Nations also has a dedicated body called the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program, which allows people from around the world to contribute their skills through volunteer work.”

She concluded by emphasizing that UN-Habitat encourages everyone from youth and retirees to homemakers to make good use of their free time in productive and meaningful ways that benefit society. This year’s Urban October was celebrated under the global theme “Local Actions, Global Impact,” which highlighted the importance of community-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable urban development and climate action. Urban October began with World Habitat Day on October 6 and will conclude with World Cities Day on October 31, bringing together communities worldwide to reflect on how urban life can become more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

Held for the third consecutive year, the event once again highlighted the strong collaboration between the Kuwaiti and Canadian communities in promoting environmental awareness and their shared commitment to greening Kuwait. It reflected the community’s continued dedication to sustainability, volunteerism, and civic engagement essential values that contribute to building greener, cleaner and more sustainable cities.

Children and their families enjoyed a variety of engaging and educational activities, including Sustainable Scavenger Hunt, Green Thumb Project, Art & Craft Corner and Community Narratives. The event reflected the deep friendship between Canada and Kuwait, as well as the continued cooperation between their communities in advancing youth engagement, environmental stewardship and climate action.

 KUWAIT:  Under the patronage and attendance of Minister of Oil Tareq Al-Roumi, and with the sponsorship of Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), the State of Kuwait will host the eighth WPC Energy Youth Forum on October 22 and 23. The forum, the largest event for youth engagement within the global energy sector, will take place at the Jumeirah Hotel in Messila, Kuwait, under the central theme: “Empowering the Future: Connecting Young Professionals, Ideas & Knowledge.”

The program will be structured around three thematic blocks: “Youth as Change makers,” “Smart and Sustainable Innovation,” and “Strategic Leadership in Energy.” In a statement, obtained by KUNA, Minister Al-Roumi said, “We are honoured to welcome the global energy community to Kuwait for the 8th WPC Energy Youth Forum. This important gathering reflects Kuwait’s unwavering commitment to empowering our youth, supporting innovation, and advancing the global energy dialogue.”

“By bringing together talented young professionals with international leaders, we are not only investing in the next generation, but also in the sustainable future of the energy sector,” he affirmed.

Dr. Sheikh Nimr Al-Malik Al-Sabah—Undersecretary of Kuwait’s Ministry of Oil—stated, “The Youth Forum is a unique opportunity to showcase Kuwait’s dedication to equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to drive transformation in the energy sector.”

The Ministry of Oil is proud to support this initiative, which strengthens international cooperation and prepares our future leaders to address the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s energy landscape.”

Meanwhile, Ahmad Al-Eidan—CEO of Kuwait Oil Company—remarked, “We are pleased and honored to host this highly significant event, particularly as it aims to achieve noble goals that we jointly strive towards.” “Our Company places the utmost priority on empowering the youth, whom we consider our most valuable asset,” he indicated, adding, “Our core mission is to supply energy to the world and to maintain our position as one of the most trusted global energy suppliers.” “I would like to assert that we will do everything in our power to contribute to the success of this forum, to ensure that all participating entities benefit from it, and to achieve the best possible outcomes that will further support young people in the energy sector.”

“We are committed to providing them with all the necessary tools and the best environment to help them work, achieve, and enhance their skills and capabilities.”Pedro Miras—President of WPC Energy—said, “Young Professionals play a crucial role in the energy sector, spearheading innovation, sustainability, and technological advancements.” “As the energy industry transitions to low-carbon models, investing in future generations is crucial to ensure a skilled, diverse, and forward-thinking workforce to redefine the energy sector,” he added.” With its strategic position at the centre of the global energy landscape, combined with a vibrant youth population and strong investment in education and innovation, Kuwait is perfectly positioned to inspire and empower the next generation of energy professionals.”

For his part, Shamus Hardie—Chair of the WPC Energy Young Professionals Committee, said, “Our Young Professionals Committee is pleased to collaborate with the Kuwaiti National Committee to host the upcoming Youth Forum.” “This platform uniquely offers students, graduates, and professionals opportunities to foster global connections, contribute to dialogue, and gain exposure within the transitioning energy sector.”As the global energy sector evolves and faces new challenges, WPC Energy continues to priorities the engagement and empowerment of Young Professionals, recognizing their vital role in leading the energy transition. The Youth Forum provides a unique platform for students and early-career professionals from around the world to exchange perspectives, connect with senior industry leaders, and contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of energy. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Building on its human capital investment strategy and its ongoing efforts to develop Kuwait’s national talents, Burgan Bank participated as a platinum sponsor in the fourth edition of Watheefti, Kuwait’s largest national career fair. Alongside 120 of Kuwait’s top employers from across the nation’s most prominent and vital sectors, the Bank presented its unique employer offering to more than 40,000 promising candidates and young talent.

Taking place over the course of three days at The Arena, under the patronage and presence of Abdulrahman Badah Al-Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and featured more than 14 different sectors and industries – making it one of the most vibrant talent-oriented conferences in Kuwait. “As part of our ongoing commitment to developing national talent and supporting the goals of Kuwait Vision 2035 and maintaining the highest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, Burgan Bank’s renewed participation in the fourth edition of Watheefti was a valuable opportunity to connect with Kuwait’s brightest young professionals – whose ambitions align with our strategy for innovation-led sustainable growth,” said Naqeeb Amin, General Manager – Human Resources and Development for the Group at Burgan Bank.

Abdulwahab Jamal Abdulraheem

Naqeeb Amin

“Our success is powered by our people and their unwavering commitment to Burgan’s values of ownership, transparency, teamwork, and passion. Which is why we continue to invest heavily in recruiting, nurturing, and advancing Kuwait’s best talent.” During the event, Burgan Bank offered instant job opportunities to participants who were identified as high potential – reaffirming its belief in the strength of young Kuwaiti talent. Additionally, as part of the recruitment process, the Bank’s HR team also shortlisted candidates interviewed during the fair and initiated the second round of interviews with the relevant departments.

“Our continued participation in leading career fairs is a key pillar of Burgan Bank’s talent acquisition and development strategy, which places employee growth at the center of our sustainable success,” said Abdulwahab Jamal Abdulraheem, Executive Manager – Talent Acquisition at Burgan Bank. “These events give us the opportunity to meet ambitious young professionals with a passion for innovation, while introducing them to the wide range of career paths available in Kuwait’s fast-evolving banking and financial sector – especially as Burgan continues to lead with digital transformation and the adoption of new financial technologies.”

It is worth noting that career fairs confirm that Kuwait is full of youthful talents who, with the right guidance and development, are capable of leading Kuwait’s economy and vital sectors. In line with its commitment to Kuwaitization and investing in national calibers, Burgan Bank values its annual participation in impactful events such as Watheefti and other leading employment fairs for the opportunity they create to engage with Kuwaiti calibers in valuable conversations around their aspirations for personal and professional development.

In addition, the Bank’s on-ground presence among its community allows representatives to directly introduce Burgan Bank’s progressive work environment and its culture of continuous learning. Besides promoting employment and growth opportunities, Burgan Bank representatives were committed to engaging with the career fair visitors, spreading financial literacy. This comes as part of the Bank’s committed support for the “Let’s Be Aware” (Diraya) campaign, led by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and the Kuwait Banking Association (KBA) with the support of Kuwaiti banks.

As a certified Great Place to Work, Burgan Bank continues to advance its talent acquisition, management, and development strategies using the latest data-driven, AI-supported technologies. This strategic approach earned Burgan Bank multiple regional and international accolades, including three Brandon Hall Group Human Capital Management (HCM) Awards of Excellence as well as the GCC Excellence Award in the Recruitment and Development of Nationals from the Council of Ministers of Labor and Council of Ministers of Social Affairs in the GCC States Executive Bureau, among other recognitions.