KUWAIT: Special Olympics Kuwait honored Dr Youssef Al-Awadhi for receiving the 2025 Gulissano International Health Award, one of the most prestigious accolades conferred by Special Olympics International’s Global Health Leadership Program. The award was presented during the opening ceremony of the third health screening program, scheduled for October 22 at the Boulevard, where 150 athletes with intellectual disabilities will undergo assessments across eight medical specialties.

Rihab Bouresli, National Director of Special Olympics Kuwait, congratulated Dr Al-Awadhi, describing his global recognition as a testament to his outstanding contributions to athletes with intellectual disabilities and his efforts in promoting equal access to health and fitness services. She highlighted his leadership in numerous initiatives in dentistry and community healthcare, as well as his organization of field programs and regional and international collaborations to enhance health services for this segment of society.

Bouresli emphasized that the achievements of Special Olympics Kuwait and its athletes reflect the guidance, support, and patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah protect him, and Kuwait’s commitment to advancing health and humanitarian initiatives locally and globally. She noted that the international award underscores the expertise and capabilities of Kuwait’s distinguished professionals in health and volunteer sectors.

Dr Al-Awadhi, a faculty member at the College of Dentistry at Kuwait University and consultant at the Ministry of Health, has an extensive record of volunteer and relief work at local, regional, and international levels. He joined Special Olympics Kuwait in 2019 after participating in the World Games in Abu Dhabi. Since then, he has spearheaded the Special Smiles program in Kuwait—part of the “Healthy Athletes” initiative—utilizing his medical center and expertise to expand health services for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the country.

KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar affirmed Sunday that Kuwait is among the first countries to provide artificial intelligence services to all government employees through Microsoft’s Copilot technology. Speaking at the opening of the Microsoft AI Summit, he said Kuwait was selected as the first country in the region to establish an AI-powered cloud region, enabling the provision of Microsoft’s cloud-based AI services from Kuwait to countries worldwide.

Al-Omar said hosting the summit underscores Kuwait’s commitment to adopting modern technologies and building a knowledge- and innovation-based economy in line with the New Kuwait 2035 vision. He highlighted the country’s efforts to become a leading regional hub for technology and digital infrastructure. He described the partnership with Microsoft as a model for strategic cooperation with major global tech firms, aimed at developing digital infrastructure, cultivating national talent and expanding AI applications across state institutions.

Backed by the political leadership, the government is pressing ahead with ambitious programs to boost investment in modern technologies, establish an integrated digital ecosystem and empower national expertise to lead the country’s digital future and achieve sustainable development. Al-Omar expressed appreciation to Microsoft for organizing the summit, describing it as a key step toward advancing international cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure and opening new horizons for Kuwait’s innovation-driven future.

KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar delivers his speech at the opening of the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Summit. – KUNA photos

General Manager of Microsoft Kuwait, Alaa Eldin Alaa Eldin

Naim Yazbek, President of Microsoft Middle East and Africa

A section of the audience at the Microsoft AI Summit.

Microsoft Middle East and Africa President Naim Yazbek praised the partnership, noting the government has facilitated the introduction of cutting-edge technologies and their integration into development plans through collaboration with public and private sectors. He said Kuwait’s AI strategy rests on two pillars: building the necessary infrastructure and training national talent in both sectors. He added that introducing AI tools across government agencies supports Kuwait’s ambition to lead the region in artificial intelligence, noting the partnership is the most significant in the Middle East.

Microsoft Kuwait General Manager Alaa Eldin said the partnership enables the company to deliver the latest AI technologies and flexible intelligent cloud solutions, while giving Kuwait the opportunity to be among the first countries globally to deploy mobile AI capabilities. He described the cooperation as a strategic opportunity to strengthen Kuwait’s position as a leader in digital transformation and innovation.

At the conclusion of the summit, Al-Omar honored winners of the AI Excellence Awards from various government and private entities. The Ministry of Finance received the Excellence Award for its AI-based electronic correspondence system. The Central Agency for Information Technology was recognized for implementing Secure Azure Landing Zones 44 in the government sector, considered a foundation for transitioning to Microsoft’s cloud services.

The Credit Bank was honored for its integrated protection systems using Microsoft AI. The Public Authority for Sport won for the “Hayakum” application, which contributed to the success of the Gulf Cup. The General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development received an award for its effective use of Copilot and integration with its internal systems. The Ministry of Health, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training and Kuwait Oil Company were also recognized, while from the private sector, Kuwait Finance House and the National Bank of Kuwait received awards. — KUNA

DHAKA: Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Samih Johar Hayat on Sunday described the ongoing political consultations between the foreign ministries of Kuwait and Bangladesh as the first of their kind, reflecting the depth and strength of bilateral relations. Speaking to KUNA after holding talks with Bangladeshi Undersecretary for Political Affairs Dr. Mohammad Nazrul Islam and senior officials at the Middle East Department in Dhaka, Ambassador Hayat said the round was held in a “positive atmosphere” and forms part of the implementation of existing bilateral cooperation agreements between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

He noted that the discussions covered a wide range of sectors, including political, military, security, economic, and cultural cooperation, as well as collaboration in international forums, trade, investment, and skilled labor. Ambassador Hayat added that the consultations also addressed higher education, scientific research, civil aviation, oil, renewable energy, industry, food security, health, and medical services.

Assistant Secretary of State for Asian Affairs with Bangladesh’s Undersecretary for Political Affairs and senior Bangladeshi officials in the Middle East Department.

The talks further explored ways to strengthen ties between government sectors in both countries and examined issues of common interest. Ambassador Hayat emphasized that the consultations align with directives from the top political leadership to maintain frequent high-level visits and preserve the historical relations connecting Kuwait and Bangladesh. Both sides agreed to intensify technical, legal, and consultative coordination to ensure the implementation of signed agreements and memoranda of understanding, advance ongoing negotiations, and hold regular political consultations to monitor progress. The consultations concluded with a mutual commitment to further develop bilateral relations.

Prior to the consultations, Ambassador Hayat met with Muhammad Hossain, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Government of Bangladesh, delivering a written message from Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya on enhancing cooperation across various sectors. The Kuwaiti delegation included Ambassador Ali Hamada, First Secretary Ahmed Al-Duwailah from the Kuwaiti Embassy in Bangladesh, and Diplomatic Attachés Sharifah Bokhdoor and Altaf Danboh from the Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside senior Bangladeshi diplomats and officials. — KUNA