By Syed Eshaan Ul-Haque

KUWAIT: Summers in Kuwait are becoming increasingly challenging for active residents, especially the youth. Rising temperatures, coupled with urban heat islands, are changing the way young people participate in outdoor activities, including both recreation and daily routines. Playgrounds that were once packed with children sit abandoned during the hottest hours, while families stay indoors relying on the cool air conditioner’s breeze to protect themselves from the heat.

According to recent climate data from the Kuwait Meteorological Department, the average summer temperatures in Kuwait have risen by nearly 2 degrees Celsius over the past 30 years, with the number of days it reaches over 45 degrees Celsius still increasing.

Kuwait’s nights tend to feel hotter than its days, researchers found. According to a 2020 study on urban heat and cool islands in Kuwait, some urban areas actually stay cooler than their arid undeveloped surroundings during the day — a phenomenon known as the daytime urban cool island. Experts say this could be due to factors such as moist soil in urban areas and the cooling effect of the Arabian Gulf, which help lower surface temperatures even during peak summer heat.

But once the sun sets, the situation flips. At night, Kuwait’s urban areas tend to stay warmer than nearby rural regions, creating what scientists call a nighttime urban heat island. The reason lies in the city’s manmade surfaces. Dark asphalt, concrete and rooftops soak up the sun’s energy during the day and slowly release it after dark. Add to that the heat from cars, air conditioners and fuel burning.

The constant heat can be very uncomfortable for the youth and can restrict them from doing their desired outdoor activities, especially during the summer. Hot temperatures also persist from May to November, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoors during the holiday and when school starts.

“In such dense heat, walking back home from school serves as a chore. I don’t think I’ve gone out, except to coffee shops, in these past few months,” says 17-year-old Sameeha Haque. “We all have increasingly started to fear the risks of extreme heat; it’s almost unbearable to walk under the sun, let alone play in the park.” Haque further explains she hasn’t been able to walk outside without worrying about sunburn and dehydration.

The effects of extreme heat have extended beyond mere discomfort, with physiological and cardiovascular health increasingly at risk, according to a 2024 study titled Impact of Extreme Heat on Cardiovascular Health in Kuwait: Present and Future Projections.

Experts have long highlighted the importance of outdoor play in natural environments for children’s learning and development. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health emphasizes that engaging in outdoor activities offers tangible advantages for physical health, including enhanced cardiovascular fitness, refined motor skills and increased synthesis of Vitamin D. “Nothing will truly beat the joy of a swing in the park with the warm air running through your body,” Haque reflects. “Although that vision seems to be fleeting now.”

The hot weather is more than a seasonal inconvenience. In a 2023 paper titled Extreme Heat and Work Injuries in Kuwait’s Hot Summers, researchers have identified it as a growing public and social health issue.

With record-breaking temperatures becoming an annual occurrence, the experiences of the younger generation must be at the forefront of planning and policy designs to ensure that future generations can enjoy the sun safely.

KUWAIT: The Italian Ambassador to Kuwait, Lorenzo Morini, affirmed that the opening of the Italian Design Week at the Avenues mall, on Sunday, represents an important opportunity to showcase Italian creativity across various fields. In a press statement on the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Morini said “Most of the companies participating in this week’s activities are already present in the Kuwaiti market. The security systems of the mall are based on Italian technology, while the mall’s interiors were designed using Italian marble, along with Italian furniture and decor that can be seen in every corner.”

He added that several companies from the perfume, eyewear, and automotive industries are also taking part in the event, noting that their presence reflects how deeply Italian products are embedded in daily life in Kuwait, explaining that the aim of the event is to highlight the depth of the cultural and commercial ties that unite the Italian and Kuwaiti peoples.

The Italian Ambassador pointed out that the Italian Design Week will feature traditional performances during the weekend by Italian artists specializing in medieval flag-waving, emphasizing that such activities enrich cultural exchange and bring people closer together. “Italian culture is well-known and much loved in Kuwait. Many Kuwaitis have visited Italy and are very familiar with its products. Our cultural and traditional tastes are quite similar, whether in food, fashion, or design,” he noted.

He further added that the quality of Italian products is what makes them highly sought after in Kuwait despite strong competition, explaining “The Kuwaiti consumer values design and high quality over price, which gives Italian products great potential for future growth.” Regarding the Italian language, Ambassador Morini stated that the embassy is working to expand cooperation with local universities, stating “As part of the Italian Design Week program, several Italian designers will deliver lectures at Kuwait University on architecture and interior design. We believe that youth are the key to the future, and we aim to enhance their knowledge of the Italian language.”

He noted that the number of Kuwaitis fluent in Italian remains limited and that there is a need to broaden educational programs in this area, adding “Even students who study at Italian universities in English still need to learn the basics of the Italian language for daily life.” The opening day concluded with a vibrant musical performance titled “Music of Nations – An Italian Story” at the Amricani Cultural Center, where Italian and Kuwaiti musicians performed a series of inspiring pieces that delighted the audience. Ambassador Morini stressed that music is a universal language understood by all, one that builds bridges of communication and mutual understanding.

KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait announced its sponsorship of the 12th e-Government Forum (EGOV 12), titled AI-powered Information Security Services. The event was organized by the Kuwait Federation of Engineering Offices and Consultant Houses in cooperation with the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) and the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), under the patronage of Omar Al-Omar, Minister of State for Communications Affairs.

Zain took part in the opening ceremony in the presence of the patron’s representative, Dr Khaled Al-Zamel, Chairman of CITRA, Bader Al-Salman, Chairman of the Federation of Engineering Offices and Consultant Houses, and Waleed Al-Khashti, Zain Kuwait’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer, alongside a select group of senior public and private sector leaders. By supporting this annual platform, Zain renews its commitment to enabling Kuwait’s digital transformation journey as a key and effective partner to the public sector. This comes within the framework of the company’s strategic efforts to contribute to the national economy and highlight the role of the private sector in supporting the state’s development plans, particularly in technology and digital innovation.

In Zain’s opening remarks, Al-Khashti said: “We are pleased to renew our support for the 12th e-Government Forum, whose rich program centers on AI-powered information security services. This forum has become a national platform that annually brings together decision makers and experts to build a more secure and efficient digital future. This year’s theme carries a clear message. Artificial intelligence is not an end in itself. It is a tool that enhances our ability to detect threats faster, respond with greater agility, and build sustainable digital immunity for government institutions and the private sector. It is a strategic pillar for digital enablement and sustainable development.”

Zain recognized for its annual support of the forum.

Al-Khashti delivering his opening speech.

Al-Khashti added: “At the same time, AI compels us to double our awareness of emerging risks, which requires clear usage policies. That is what brings us together at this forum today.” “Today’s program opens important discussions on AI’s impact on cybersecurity, cloud computing, data center operations, and modern work ethics, especially in vital sectors such as banking and telecommunications. These tracks give us a comprehensive view of opportunities and challenges and narrow the gap between vision and execution.”

He continued: “In this context, we value the recent government partnerships with leading global technology companies such as Google and Microsoft in cloud and AI. At Zain, we take pride in our key role in supporting and enabling these directions through our advanced digital infrastructure.” “There are four priorities that Zain sees as cornerstones for the next phase. First, trust, security, data protection, and privacy are the foundation of every successful digital service. Second, services must be human-centric, with simple, transparent, and fast experiences for citizens, residents, and the business environment at large.”

“Third, successful partnerships and integration between the public sector and the private sector with global partners turn innovations into scalable national solutions. Fourth, developing national talent and investing in digital skills will create a generation that leads transformation in line with Kuwait’s ambitions.” Al-Khashti concluded: “We reaffirm Zain’s commitment to being an active partner in enabling digital transformation and enhancing AI-powered information security for the good of Kuwait and its people.” On the sidelines of the forum, Zain showcased at its booth a selection of its digital business solutions, including AI-enabled drones, cloud computing solutions, and more.