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Burgan Bank concludes Ramadan activities, initiatives and events

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KUWAIT: Burgan Bank successfully concluded its Ramadan community initiatives, which included a wide range of humanitarian and charitable events as well as sports and health activities. The Bank’s Ramadan events further served to revive Kuwait’s authentic customs and traditions and instill the values of the holy month.

On this occasion, Hessa Hussain Al-Najadah, Senior Manager – Corporate and CSR Communications at Burgan Bank, stated: “Following our annual Ramadan tradition at Burgan Bank, and as part of our dedicated social responsibility and sustainability programs, we were delighted to renew our commitment toward our community by launching several events and activities during the holy month, reinforcing our direct communication with all segments of society.

In line with the Bank’s philosophy, “Driven by You”, we continue to be inspired and motivated by all members of our community and our partners in various fields to give back by orchestrating impactful initiatives and activities that benefit everyone, cementing our commitment to being a force of positive change within our community.”

Al-Najadah added: “Our Ramadan community efforts are also guided by the Bank’s vision to be the most modern and progressive bank in Kuwait, as well as its supporting mission, values and strategies to uphold our commitment to serving and investing in our community. In the spirit of the holy month, we pray for our community’s health and wellness, and may we revive this Ramadan tradition year after year, as we continue to offer our community our absolute best of everything.” Among Burgan’s most notable events and initiatives during Ramadan 2025 were:

‘Teach Them Young’ Campaign

Burgan Bank launched several activities and initiatives under the umbrella of its “Teach Them Young” campaign, which aims to instill various values, customs, and traditions at an early age among children and young adults. These values were captured and spread through the Bank’s various initiatives, activities, and TVCs that have been running since the beginning of the year, carrying awareness messages in their folds. Some of the essential values that the “Teach Them Young” campaign highlights include “one’s love of homeland”, most notably captured in Burgan’s TVC “Teach them that the homeland is a blessing from God, a refuge, and a safe haven; teach them that the homeland is our strength, our identity, and the roots that connect us to our history.”

This work, presented by Burgan Bank on the occasion of Kuwait’s National Day 2025, was performed by artist Huda Hussein, featuring a group of children. The TVC was received enthusiastically, garnering wide interaction and resonance across social media. Similarly, the Ramadan TVC also reinforced the values of the holy month, to “Teach them young the virtues of patience and fasting, of respect and pleasantness in every utterance, and that good, virtuous company elevates one’s status.”

Under the “Teach Them Young” umbrella, the Bank also encouraged employees’ children to participate in the philanthropic initiative of distributing iftar meals to those fasting during Ramadan. The initiative aimed to instill several values in children, including selfless giving, the importance of connecting with others, and the belief that a person’s value lies in their essence and not their appearance.

Teaching children young is important, as Ramadan is an opportunity; and what is learned at a young age lasts a lifetime. Building on the campaign’s momentum which began early this year, Burgan Bank will continue to roll out the “Teach Them Young” campaign throughout the year by sponsoring numerous activities, initiatives, and events that support everything from education to medicine, sports, community, charity, and more.

Iftar meals

As part of Burgan’s comprehensive Ramadan activities and initiatives, the Bank distributed iftar meals to the fasting community in Souq Al-Mubarakiya and across various neighborhoods in Kuwait. This comes as part of its strategic partnership with the Kuwait Food Bank for the second consecutive year, in parallel with the “Teach Them Young” campaign, which saw the participation of a large group of the Bank’s employees and their children.

This initiative further expands on Burgan’s comprehensive social responsibility program, through which it upholds its committed adherence to the highest standards of environmental, social, and governance (ESG). It also aligns with Kuwait’s “New Kuwait” Vision 2035 and the Bank’s proactive role in strengthening the country’s regional and global presence as a role model in the fields of charity and volunteerism.

Health awareness messages

In line with its “Because We’re Driven By You, Your Health Matters” campaign, Burgan Bank, in collaboration with Kuwait Hospital, spread valuable medical and health awareness messages across its social channels in a bid to reach the largest possible audience. As part of the campaign, doctors from across various areas of specialty at Kuwait Hospital delivered awareness videos and medical advice during the holy month, covering dental and oral health during fasting, tips for patients with chronic diseases to maintain their safety and health, special tips for children fasting, and ways to maintain a healthy, balanced diet during Ramadan.

‘The Workout 2’ Fitness Event

For the second year in a row, Burgan Bank strategically sponsored Kuwait’s leading fitness event during the holy month of Ramadan, “The Workout 2,” in collaboration with Fohgah app, which was met with high interest and enthusiastic participation. This sporting event comes as part of the Bank’s comprehensive social responsibility and sustainability programs as well as its Ramadan activities. The event was designed to encourage 20 male and female participants, representing 10 teams each Friday, to test their fitness and compete against each other in a fun and engaging environment under the supervision and guidance of certified fitness coaches. Each week, the highest-scoring teams were awarded valuable prizes.

Through its sponsorship of “The Workout 2”, Burgan Bank set out to encourage the event participants as well as members of the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine as an integral part of their daily life. This event reflects the Bank’s commitment to public health, which Burgan considers a top priority under the umbrella of its comprehensive social responsibility program.

Burgan Ghabga

Burgan Bank’s family gathered for its annual Ramadan Ghabga at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center, amid a family-friendly atmosphere and a notable presence of Senior Management and employees from various departments and branches. In an effort to reinforce employees’ social bonding outside the workplace, the event featured a variety of unique and memorable activities and events, including the celebration of the first day of Girgian as a family.

In line with the Bank’s slogan, “Driven by You”, Burgan’s management extended its gratitude and appreciation to employees, emphasizing their role as the primary and true drivers of success, growth, and development, whereby their efforts remain to be the Bank’s fuel on its journey to achieving its vision to be the most modern and progressive bank in Kuwait.

It was also noted that Burgan Bank’s success in receiving the Great Place to Work certification as well as becoming one of the most prominent Kuwaiti banks known for its appealing and inviting work environment – whether to fresh graduates or seasoned professionals – is owed to its employees’ unwavering dedication. The staff’s commitment to Burgan’s core values such as accountability, transparency, teamwork, and passion, was also highlighted as integral to the Bank’s success in maintaining its leading position in the Kuwaiti banking sector.

The evening featured several segments, including a review of the Bank’s strategy, key achievements, goals, and aspirations for 2025 and the coming years. During the ceremony, the management announced several exciting surprises, including the reduction of working hours to 7.5 hours per day on weekdays and 7 hours on Thursdays, in an effort to maintain a healthy work-life balance and reinforce employees’ mental health. A four-day leave per year was also designated for self-care, on top of the annual and sick leave, confirming that employees are a top priority for the Bank and its most valued resource, reflecting Burgan’s vision, mission, values, and strategy.

To further its community engagement and sustainability pillars, Burgan Bank, in cooperation with the Kuwait Food and Relief Bank, distributed surplus food to underprivileged families and workers after its Ramadan Ghabga. This initiative reflected the Bank’s commitment to investing in food resources through its strategic partnership with the Food Bank, promoting a culture of social responsibility and reducing food waste, while ensuring that support reaches the neediest in a dignified and sustainable manner. It is also worth noting that food products were inspected by a specialized team to ensure safety standards.

‘Let’s Be Aware’ Campaign

As a key element of its committed support of the Central Bank of Kuwait’s (CBK) and the Kuwait Banking Association’s (KBA) “Let’s Be Aware” (Diraya) campaign, Burgan Bank upheld its efforts to spread banking awareness through several community events and activities during the month of Ramadan. Through these events and activities, the Bank aimed to enhance financial literacy among community members by engaging directly with them during events through conversation as well as sharing print banking awareness brochures.

The Bank’s dedicated efforts to raise banking awareness also extended to its social media channels, through which it continues to inform its existing and potential customers of the campaign’s core messages. This comes as part of the Bank’s yearlong comprehensive social responsibility program, a cornerstone of its ongoing success and sustainable growth.

The Bank also produced a special Eid Al-Fitr TVC titled “Teach Them Young the Value of Savings”, as a joyous celebration of Eid. The TVC captures the most important and beautiful moments of Eid, especially those that center on connecting with family and friends, reinforcing the customs, traditions, and values on which the Kuwaiti society was raised. Among the TVC’s most important messages is urging parents to encourage and educate children at an early age to adopt the culture of saving and promote financial and banking awareness in line with the Diraya banking awareness campaign.

Burgan Bank’s diverse activities, initiatives, and events during Ramadan were held under the umbrella of the “Teach Them Young” campaign.

The Bank organized sporting events and spread health awareness messages during the holy month to encourage all members of society to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle and to integrate exercise into their daily routine.

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Kuwait envoy urges using digital tools for peace, recovery

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RIYADH: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative to the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Sheikh Sabah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on Monday underscored the importance of employing digital technologies to support peacebuilding, humanitarian efforts and post-conflict reconstruction as pathways to stability and prosperity.

Representing Kuwait, which holds the DCO presidency for 2025, Sheikh Sabah delivered his remarks at the fifth edition of the Digital Cooperation Diplomacy series, jointly organized by the Kuwaiti Embassy in Riyadh and the DCO under the theme “Digital Tools to Enhance Post-Conflict Recovery.” The event was attended by DCO Secretary-General Dima Al-Yahya, former UK Minister of Culture and Digital Economy Lord Ed Vaizey, alongside a host of ambassadors and diplomats accredited to Riyadh.

In his speech, Sheikh Sabah stressed the urgency of deepening cooperation in the face of global challenges and advancing policies that ensure the effective use of digital tools in conflict resolution and recovery. “The participation of diplomats in this dialogue reflects their commitment to the objectives of the DCO,” he said. He reaffirmed Kuwait’s strong support for the organization’s mission to accelerate digital prosperity and inclusive growth, highlighting the importance of building a more resilient and prepared digital ecosystem through collaboration and collective action.

“The convening of this dialogue comes at an exceptional time when Kuwait attaches great importance to digital transformation as part of its Vision 2035, while working to advance the shared interests of the international community,” Sheikh Sabah said. He noted that Kuwait’s simultaneous presidency of both the DCO and the Gulf Cooperation Council this year underscores the weight of its responsibilities amid mounting global challenges. DCO Secretary-General Dima Al-Yahya, for her part, emphasized the critical role of digital technology in post-conflict recovery, noting that today’s crises have displaced more than 122 million people worldwide. “Wars and disasters tear apart institutions, erode trust and displace families,” she said.

“But digital reconstruction can help accelerate recovery, rebuild societies on stronger foundations and design systems that are more just and effective.” She called for flexible, realistic and responsive international cooperation to keep pace with rapid digital transformations, while urging stronger partnerships between governments, technology companies, academia and civil society to ensure that digital transformation benefits reach the most vulnerable.

Former UK Minister Lord Ed Vaizey also highlighted the transformative potential of technology in rebuilding societies. “From restoring basic services to creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs, digital innovation offers hope even in the most difficult circumstances,” he said. The dialogue, held under Chatham House rules, brought together ambassadors from DCO member states and international partners for an open exchange on harnessing digital tools to promote peace, reconstruction and long-term stability. — KUNA

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Cabinet approves draft laws on real estate, children

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KUWAIT: The Cabinet on Tuesday received a detailed presentation from Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait Basel Ahmad Al-Haroun on Fitch Ratings’ recent affirmation of Kuwait’s sovereign credit rating at AA- with a stable outlook, highlighting the country’s strong domestic financial position and exceptionally robust external balance. Following the weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Abdullah Al-Maousherji said the presentation outlined the framework for sovereign credit ratings, Kuwait’s rating trajectory, analytical pillars and factors that could impact future ratings.

The Cabinet reiterated its commitment to continuing financial reforms to strengthen Kuwait’s sovereign credit standing globally. Earlier in the meeting, ministers reviewed messages sent to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah from foreign leaders regarding bilateral relations and cooperation across multiple sectors. On domestic projects, Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Mohammad Al-Mashaan briefed the Cabinet on coordination efforts with the Audit Bureau and the Central Agency for Public Tenders, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Interior, General Authority of Civil Aviation, and the Fatwa and Legislation Department.

Discussions focused on enhancing coordination to ensure the New Passenger Terminal (T2) project at Kuwait International Airport meets the highest standards of quality and efficiency. The Cabinet called on all relevant authorities to intensify efforts, address challenges, and accelerate project implementation according to the specified timeline.

In legislative matters, the Cabinet approved a draft decree-law amending certain provisions of Law No 21 of 2015 on Children’s Rights. The amendments aim to ensure newborns are added to the father’s nationality portfolio, with penalties for non-compliance as stipulated in Article 81. The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Fatwa and Legislation Department, will prepare an explanatory memorandum for the decree-law, which will be submitted to His Highness the Amir for approval.

The Cabinet also reviewed and approved draft decrees concerning controls on real estate ownership by non-Kuwaitis under Decree-Law No. 74 of 1979, and amendments to Decree No 37 of 1994 establishing the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies. These draft decrees, along with a unified industrial regulation law for GCC countries and several memoranda of understanding with foreign governments, will be submitted to His Highness the Amir. The meeting concluded with the Cabinet approving additional agenda items and referring specific topics to relevant ministerial committees for further review and reporting. — KUNA

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UN Special Rapporteur calls on Kuwait to form women’s ministry

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KUWAIT: Women in Kuwait continue to face challenges in reporting incidents of violence due to “insufficient specialized judicial courts, ineffective shelters and limited protection systems”, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls Reem Alsalem said on Monday in a press conference held at UN House in Kuwait. She emphasized the need for both immediate improvements — such as strengthening shelters and outreach programs — and broader structural reforms, including the establishment of “a stand-alone ministry or high council on women reporting directly to the prime minister.”

Victims continue to face obstacles in accessing justice, Alsalem stressed, pointing to long litigation processes, social stigma, and poor coordination between police, prosecution, and social services. She noted that while family violence courts and hotlines exist, “all shelters that officially exist were under renovation at the time of my visit and could therefore not be accessed”.

The Special Rapporteur drew attention to the plight of domestic workers and migrant women, who remain highly vulnerable under the sponsorship (kafala) system despite protections under the Domestic Workers Law of 2015. She welcomed recent measures that allow temporary sector transfers but said, “their impact remains limited in the face of insufficient enforcement and limited inspection of work conditions.”

Alsalem also highlighted serious nationality-related challenges. Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaiti men cannot pass on their nationality to their children on an equal basis with men. She described the consequences for these children as “systemic legal and social discrimination”, leaving them excluded from senior positions in the public sector and dependent on their mother’s legal status, which they lose upon her death.

Equally concerning, she said, was Kuwait’s recent resort to the withdrawal of nationality, a policy introduced in 2024 that has left tens of thousands affected. “Women bear a disproportionate burden, as the majority of those whose citizenship has been revoked are foreign women who had naturalized via marriage to Kuwaiti men,” Alsalem noted, describing the impact as devastating: Loss of jobs, property, pensions, housing, travel rights and access to basic services. While she acknowledged mitigation efforts such as temporary passports and an online appeals portal, she emphasized the need for an independent appeals mechanism under the judiciary.

Looking ahead, Alsalem underscored the need for better data collection, awareness campaigns to challenge harmful societal norms, and “one-stop shops” that provide safe spaces and comprehensive services for survivors of violence. She urged Kuwait to engage more closely with civil society organizations in running shelters and outreach programs.

Despite these challenges, Alsalem acknowledged Kuwait’s positive steps. She welcomed reforms such as the 2020 Domestic Violence Law, the 2025 Penal Code amendments abolishing leniency in so-called “honor killings,” and the 2025 reform of the Personal Status Law raising the marriage age to 18 for both sexes. She also noted Kuwait’s progress on equal pay for equal work, growing female participation in leadership, judiciary, diplomacy, and sports, and its humanitarian role in crises from Gaza to Sudan.

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