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GCC chief hails deep-rooted Gulf-British partnership, ties

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LONDON: Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Al-Budaiwi affirmed that the distinguished Gulf-British partnership is rooted in a long history of cooperation and mutual trust, expressing confidence in a promising future built on common interests and shared values. Al-Budaiwi made the remarks during his address before members of the British Parliament, including Lords, senior officials, experts and legislators in London. He extended his sincere appreciation to Lord McNicol, Member of the House of Lords and the UK’s Trade Envoy to Jordan, Kuwait and the Palestinian Territories, for the invitation and warm reception. He also lauded Lord McNicol’s efforts in promoting stronger ties between the GCC and the United Kingdom.

The GCC chief underscored that relations between the two sides have evolved from traditional cooperation to a comprehensive partnership encompassing political coordination, security and defense cooperation, cultural exchange, and robust economic and investment ties. He highlighted the strategic importance of the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the GCC and the UK, noting that talks have reached advanced stages thanks to the shared determination of both parties.

Al-Budaiwi said that finalizing the FTA would represent a significant milestone in broadening horizons for trade, investment, and innovation — particularly in the fields of clean energy, modern technology and digital services. “It will also link the ambitious developmental transformations in GCC countries with the global economic strengths of the United Kingdom,” he noted.

He further emphasized that the Gulf-British partnership extends beyond economic cooperation, describing it as a partnership grounded in principles of dialogue, respect for international law, and joint action to promote security, stability, and peace while combating extremism and supporting global development. “It serves common interests and achieves mutual prosperity for the peoples of the Gulf and Britain,” Al-Budaiwi concluded.

On the sidelines of his visit, Al-Budaiwi met with UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer. The two officials discussed GCC-UK relations within the framework of the strategic partnership and ways to further enhance cooperation to serve shared interests. They also reviewed the progress of the FTA negotiations, a new joint action plan, and the latest regional and international developments, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Budaiwi also held talks with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle and Minister of State for Trade Affairs Chris Bryant, during which they discussed the latest updates on the GCC-UK FTA negotiations. The GCC Secretary General stressed the importance of intensifying joint efforts and bridging remaining gaps in the negotiation process, emphasizing that the agreement would significantly strengthen trade and economic relations and open new avenues for cooperation in multiple sectors. — KUNA

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Turkish President arrives in Kuwait on official visit

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KUWAIT: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday on an official visit. He was received at the airport by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and other senior state officials.

Also present were His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chief of the Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Sheikh Mubarak Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji, Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and senior state officials. The Head of the honorary delegation accompanying President Erdogan will be Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

President Erdogan’s delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Economy and Finance Mehmet Simsek, Minister of Defense Yasar Guler, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Kacir, Minister of Trade Omer Bolat and other senior officials.

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Program strengthens Kuwait-US scientific collaboration

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WASHINGTON: The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) announced on Monday the successful conclusion of the “Precision Medicine: Enhancing Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration between Kuwait and the United States” program, held in partnership with the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). The two-day program brought together leading scientists and physicians from Kuwait and the United States and was attended by Kuwait’s Ambassador to the US, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah.

KFAS said the program featured intensive sessions and advanced scientific discussions on integrating genomics with environmental factors, governance and policy frameworks in precision medicine, building technical infrastructure, and enabling cross-border data exchange to support research and clinical applications. The event’s scientific committee was chaired by Dr Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah, Chair of the Medical Liability Authority and recipient of the Jabir Al-Ahmad Young Researcher Award, who oversaw the program’s themes and outcomes aimed at strengthening bilateral research collaboration in precision medicine and advanced medical technologies.

The program included contributions from leading Kuwaiti physicians. Dr Waddah Al-Refaie, Arnold W Lempka Endowed Chair of Surgery at Creighton University, delivered a lecture titled “Translating Surgical Research into Clinical Excellence,” outlining pathways to transform surgical innovations into practical therapeutic applications, emphasizing technology transfer and clinical evidence for adoption.

Dr Zaid Al-Marzouk, interventional cardiologist and Director of Structural Heart at a Boston medical center, also a Jabir Al-Ahmad Young Researcher Award recipient, led a session on “Implementing Precision Medicine Technologies within Clinical Workflows.” He discussed integrating AI tools, cloud platforms, and genomic analytics into everyday medical practice, highlighting team training requirements and sustainable applications in hospitals.

KFAS highlighted contributions from Kuwaiti specialists engaged through the KFAS-NASEM collaboration, including Dr Sulaiman Al-Muzaidi, Chair of Surgery at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, and Senior Consultant General Surgeon Dr Hamoud Al-Rashidi, who presented Kuwait’s pioneering experience in remote robotic surgery. The procedure, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest remote surgery, reflects the qualitative advancement of Kuwait’s healthcare system, supported by KFAS. — KUNA

Program activities also included keynote presentations on cross-border data sharing, regulatory frameworks, and human capacity development in precision medicine. Discussions concluded with practical recommendations to enhance international partnerships and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical impact. Kuwaiti contributions underscored KFAS’s role in promoting science diplomacy and supporting Kuwait’s strategic investment in precision medicine.- KUNA

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KEPS to launch 26th sea turtle rescue campaign

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KUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) has announced the launch of the 26th season of its “Sea Turtle Rescue” campaign, set to begin on November 8 with a beach cleanup at Kuwait Towers. The initiative is organized in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese Society, with participation from government agencies, civil society groups and students from schools taking part in the 15th Green Schools Program this academic year.

KEPS Secretary General and Director of Programs and Activities Jenan Behzad said in a press statement Sunday the campaign aims to raise environmental awareness about the protection of endangered species and the preservation of natural habitats along Kuwait’s coast. She said the initiative reflects civil society’s role in supporting environmental sustainability and safeguarding biodiversity, while underscoring the historical and ecological importance of sea turtles in the Arabian Gulf.

Behzad noted the campaign encourages community engagement by inviting volunteers, citizens and residents to take part in field activities such as beach cleanups, monitoring turtle nests and promoting awareness of the coastal ecosystem. She added the effort represents a model of international cooperation between KEPS, the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese Society in the fields of environment, education and volunteering, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development and marine conservation.

She recalled that last year’s 25th season further strengthened efforts to instill a culture of volunteering and environmental participation among citizens and residents. On turtle species found in Kuwait, Behzad said they include green turtles, loggerhead turtles, hawksbill turtles and leatherback turtles. Despite ongoing environmental challenges, she said recent studies show green turtles are beginning to resume nesting activity, while hawksbill turtles continue to face hatching difficulties. Behzad stressed that the return of turtles to Kuwaiti territorial waters is a positive sign of marine recovery in the northern Gulf, thanks to sustained local and international environmental protection efforts. — KUNA

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