KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Sasahara on Tuesday welcomed the visit of former US President Donald Trump to the Gulf region, describing it as a continuation of his longstanding relationships with Gulf leaders. “We are pleased with President Trump’s visit to the region. He has had deep-rooted relationships with Gulf leaders since his first term,” she said.

Her remarks came on the sidelines of the Fourth Annual Food Safety and Nutrition Summit, jointly organized by the US Department of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition and the US Embassy. The two-day summit is being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with broad participation from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Ambassador Sasahara said Trump’s renewed engagement with Gulf partners reflects the strength of ongoing bilateral and regional dialogue. “President Trump is now resuming those relations through very important discussions on bilateral and regional matters. We are looking forward to the progress these talks will achieve,” she added.

The ambassador emphasized the robust economic ties between the United States and Kuwait, particularly in the field of agriculture. She noted that bilateral trade in agricultural goods reached $275 million in 2024, while total US agricultural exports to the GCC amounted to $3.6 billion. “Our embassy team has worked closely with Kuwaiti government institutions and local farmers to address food security challenges and explore how US technologies can contribute to sustainable solutions,” she said. Sasahara described agriculture and food not only as economic sectors, but also as bridges that bring nations together. She highlighted the summit’s goal of enhancing cooperation and exchanging best practices in food safety and nutrition.

Minister of Health Ahmad Al-Awadhi

US Ambassador Karen Sasahara

“The United States exported more than $191 billion in agricultural products last year,” she said, pointing to Washington’s leadership in agricultural innovation and its call for long-term investments in biotechnology, improved seeds, and fertilizers. She also noted that the US and GCC share common public health concerns, particularly the rise in obesity and chronic diseases. “We are committed to working with our regional partners to raise nutrition standards and improve public health outcomes,” the ambassador said.

For his part, Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi underscored the critical importance of food safety and nutrition in achieving sustainable development. “Ensuring access to safe and adequate food and advancing nutrition systems are fundamental pillars for sustainable progress,” he said in his opening remarks. Dr Al-Awadhi stressed that Kuwait remains committed to aligning its efforts with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those targeting hunger eradication and sustainable agriculture. He cited Kuwait’s National Food Security Strategy, enhanced import regulations, and updated guidelines for school canteens as examples of recent initiatives.

Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, the minister warned of the human toll of unsafe food, noting that more than 600 million people suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, leading to over 420,000 deaths — including 125,000 children under the age of five. “These figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen food safety systems and raise awareness, particularly to protect vulnerable groups like children,” he said. He also addressed the global rise in obesity, pointing to WHO statistics indicating that over one billion people are currently obese. “Childhood obesity rates have quadrupled since 1990, and in 2024, over 15 million children under five were classified as overweight,” he said.

Dr Al-Awadhi called for increased investment in food inspection and laboratory capabilities across the region, and praised international partnerships, particularly with the United States and UN agencies, in developing resilient food safety systems. The summit aims to serve as a platform for regional and international stakeholders to collaborate on policy, innovation, and public health approaches that enhance food security and nutrition outcomes across the Gulf. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) on Tuesday announced the official launch of solar power plants at its two liquefied natural gas (LNG) filling stations in Umm Al-Aish and Shuaiba, with a combined production capacity of 4.05 megawatts. The announcement was made during an inauguration ceremony, where KOTC’s Acting CEO Sheikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Malik Al-Sabah affirmed that the company is the first in Kuwait’s oil sector to implement such a strategic renewable energy project.

“This initiative represents a significant step forward in achieving energy self-sufficiency and fully operating our LNG stations using renewable energy,” Sheikh Khaled said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. He noted that the project is aligned with Kuwait’s national vision to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adding that it reduces reliance on the national electricity grid and minimizes the carbon footprint by effectively harnessing solar energy.

Acting CEO of Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Al-Malik Al-Sabah, during his speech.

Sheikh Khaled described the project as a pioneering model for clean energy within Kuwait’s oil sector, highlighting its role in enhancing operational efficiency, lowering costs, and supporting environmental goals in line with the highest international standards. He also praised the dedicated efforts of KOTC’s team in bringing the project to fruition, underscoring the contribution of Kuwaiti talent in driving sustainable energy initiatives that deliver both environmental and economic benefits to the nation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: On International Nurses Day, Sudanese Ambassador to Kuwait Awadal-Karim Al-Rayah Balla participated in a blood donation campaign organized by the Sudanese Nursing Association in Kuwait on Monday at the Blood Bank under the slogan “Our Hands for the Nation, Our Hearts for Humanity – Giving, Health, and Humanity.” The initiative was held in appreciation of Kuwait and its noble stances toward Sudan.

Speaking to Kuwait Times, the ambassador expressed his gratitude to Kuwait, saying “With its generous spirit, Kuwait has provided wide employment opportunities for Sudanese medical professionals. Over 2,000 Sudanese medical personnel, including consultants, specialists, general practitioners, and dentists, work in Kuwait. This is in addition to allied health professionals such as nurses, lab technicians, radiologists, anesthetists, and biomedical engineers, distributed across both the public and private sectors.”

The ambassador added that the initiative by the Sudanese Nursing Association is a sincere expression of gratitude and loyalty to Kuwait, which has always supported Sudan in the fields of development and humanitarian aid. Over 150 donors participated in the campaign, which will continue on Friday, May 16, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, specifically to accommodate residents of remote areas.

Sudanese Ambassador Awadal-Karim Al-Rayah Balla donates his blood.

He pointed out that Sudanese nursing staff in Kuwait have left a significant mark, as reflected in the ceremony held by the Association last year, attended by a large number of leading nursing officials in Kuwait, including the Director of Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health, the representative of the Undersecretary of the Ministry, and heads of nursing departments in both public and private hospitals. The ambassador affirmed that Sudanese-Kuwaiti relations are characterized by growth and prosperity and continue to witness remarkable development, thanks to the wise leadership in both countries.

He stated: “Truly, words cannot express our gratitude to Kuwait and to all its institutions and charitable organizations that responded swiftly to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. In return for this generosity, Sudan hopes, once the war ends, that Kuwait will be at the forefront of nations contributing to investment and reconstruction projects that benefit both countries.” A large number of Sudanese expatriates residing in Kuwait responded to the humanitarian call, coming from various regions such as Wafra, Abdali, Kabd, Jahra, Sulaibiya, and Fintas, in a gesture of appreciation and gratitude to Kuwait. The campaign was also attended by the Head of the Kuwait Nursing Association, Muhammad Saleh Assaf.