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Kuwait, Egypt enhance strategic partnership, expand relations

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Arab leaders reject attempts to displace Palestinians, call for lasting ceasefire in Gaza

KUWAIT: Kuwait and Egypt have agreed to strengthen their economic, commercial, and investment ties, reaffirming their historic and strategic partnership. The announcement was made in a joint statement issued Tuesday following the official visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to Kuwait from April 14-15, in response to an invitation extended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

During the visit, His Highness the Amir held official talks with President Al-Sisi, preceded by an expanded session attended by senior officials from both sides. Discussions focused on bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, with both leaders expressing mutual appreciation for the enduring ties between their nations.

The joint statement highlighted Kuwait’s commitment to expanding investments in Egypt, particularly in energy, agriculture, industry, information technology, real estate, banking and pharmaceuticals. Both countries expressed their keenness to further enhance cooperation in infrastructure, healthcare, education, culture, and tourism, while praising the progress achieved in these fields.

The Egyptian side lauded Kuwait’s ongoing development in line with the country’s Vision 2035, while Kuwait praised Egypt’s transformative reforms under President Al-Sisi’s leadership and his efforts to improve the investment climate in accordance with Egypt’s Vision 2030. His Highness the Amir also welcomed preparations for the upcoming Gulf-Egypt Investment Forum in Cairo and affirmed Kuwait’s active participation in the event.

The two leaders commended their countries’ coordination in international forums, with Kuwait reiterating its support for Egypt’s nomination of Dr Khaled El-Anani for the post of Director-General of UNESCO (2025-2029). They stressed the importance of regional dialogue and diplomacy to maintain peace and promote coexistence in the Middle East, in accordance with the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and respect for international law.

President Al-Sisi commended Kuwait’s role in promoting regional stability, particularly during its current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Both leaders welcomed the strengthened ties between Egypt and GCC member states, and expressed commitment to ongoing political consultations, including the recent meeting held in Makkah on March 6, 2025. His Highness the Amir praised Egypt’s successful hosting of the exceptional Arab Summit on March 4, 2025 and reaffirmed Kuwait’s support for the joint Arab-Muslim initiative to aid Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction. Both sides categorically rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians and stressed the need for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

They condemned ongoing violations by Zionist occupation forces and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2720, which mandates the provision of sustainable humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The leaders warned of the grave humanitarian consequences of continued military aggression and reiterated their call for a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state.

On Syria, both sides reiterated the need for a political transition aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. They emphasized the importance of preserving Syria’s sovereignty, combating terrorism in all forms, and rejecting foreign interference. They denounced Zionist violations of Syrian sovereignty and urged respect for the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement. Regarding Lebanon, both leaders welcomed the election of a new president and the formation of a government, which they described as pivotal for advancing national institutions and political stability.

On Sudan, Kuwait and Egypt expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the protection of civilians. Both sides backed regional and international initiatives, particularly those led by neighboring countries and the Jeddah Forum, aimed at resolving the crisis. They reaffirmed their support for Sudan’s unity and sovereignty and expressed concern over the displacement of more than 13 million Sudanese citizens. Kuwait commended Egypt’s efforts to restore stability in Sudan.

On Libya, both nations stressed the importance of preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity. They called for the withdrawal of foreign forces and militias, and emphasized the need for unifying military and security institutions under a legitimate executive authority. The two sides also voiced support for UN-led efforts to hold presidential and parliamentary elections. Kuwait reiterated its full support for Egypt’s water security, viewing it as an integral component of Arab water security. It rejected any actions that could infringe upon Egypt’s rights to Nile waters and called for cooperation among riparian states to safeguard the interests of both Egypt and Sudan.

Regarding Yemen, Kuwait and Egypt reaffirmed their support for the internationally recognized government led by the Presidential Leadership Council, and endorsed a peaceful resolution based on the Gulf Initiative, the National Dialogue Conference outcomes, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216. They welcomed mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman and emphasized the importance of securing maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

Both sides called for completing the demarcation of maritime borders between Kuwait and Iraq beyond Marker 162, in accordance with international law and UN Security Council Resolution 833. They reiterated the need to uphold the 2012 Khor Abdullah Agreement and related protocols, while urging Iraq to fully cooperate in resolving outstanding humanitarian issues, including Kuwaiti prisoners and missing persons.

Kuwait emphasized the need for continued Security Council oversight and called for the appointment of a high-level UN coordinator to monitor progress on these files. Egypt expressed its support for Kuwait’s position and stressed the importance of resolving these matters in a spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect. The two sides reaffirmed that the Dorra gas field lies entirely within Kuwaiti and Saudi maritime territories and rejected any competing claims from third parties. At the conclusion of the visit, President Al-Sisi extended his deep appreciation to His Highness the Amir for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation, expressing hope for continued cooperation and prosperity between the two nations.- KUNA

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Kuwait enforces eviction of charities from private housing

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality launched Thursday its first field inspection campaign to evacuate charity associations and foundations operating in private and model residential areas across the six governorates.

Private residential areas are low-density zones reserved for single-family housing, primarily intended for Kuwaiti citizens, where land is distributed through the country’s housing welfare program. In contrast, investment housing areas feature multi-unit buildings — such as apartments, duplex villas, and studios — designed for rental or ownership across all floors.

The campaign comes following a request from the Ministry of Social Affairs to Kuwait Municipality to enforce Ministerial Decision No. (206/2009) — which prohibits the use of buildings in private residential areas for any purpose other than private housing. The ministry began surveying all registered charities — approximately 84 organizations with over 200 branches across the country — earlier this month to take legal action against those located in private residential zones.

Khaled Al-Fadhli, Head of the Emergency Team at Ahmadi Municipality, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that field teams had issued warnings to several charity premises over the past days, ordering them to vacate. On Thursday, the teams inspected five areas — Fahaheel, Fintas, Ali Sabah Al-Salem (Umm Al-Hayman), Sabah Al-Ahmad Residential City, and Al-Sabahiya — issuing 15 evacuation warnings. Al-Fadhli praised the cooperation of some associations that voluntarily removed their violations in Al-Ahmadi Governorate.

Al-Fadhli stressed that the monitoring teams will not tolerate any violations of Kuwait Municipality’s regulations and laws, emphasizing that field campaigns will continue over the coming days across different governorates.

This move is part of a wider regulatory reform of Kuwait’s charitable sector. Last month, the ministry suspended all charitable fundraising nationwide, citing concerns about unauthorized campaigns. Since November 2024, Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah has dissolved at least 30 charities found inactive after inspections. These measures are designed to eliminate inactive or ineffective organizations and ensure that resources are being used efficiently.

These reforms also align with Kuwait’s efforts to improve financial oversight and comply with international anti-money laundering standards. A Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report released in November 2024 acknowledged Kuwait’s legal framework to combat illicit finance, but pointed to enforcement challenges. Countries that fall short of FATF standards risk being greylisted or blacklisted, which can affect global financial relations. Kuwaiti authorities have since ramped up coordination among ministries to tighten control, particularly over cross-border donations. Officials say these efforts aim to uphold Kuwait’s humanitarian leadership while meeting international best practices. — Agencies

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Indian Learners Own Academy visits Kuwait Times, Kuwait News

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KUWAIT: A group of students from Indian Learners Own Academy visited the offices of Kuwait Times and Kuwait News on Monday for an interactive media tour on Thursday. Aimed at sparking curiosity and creativity, the visit gave students a glimpse into the dynamic world of journalism beyond the classroom. Thursday’s visit was the second this week, after another group of students from the academy explored Kuwait Times and Kuwait News on Wednesday.

Jana Alnaqeeb, Kuwait Times’ PR & CSR Manager, led the tour alongside members of the digital and editorial teams. The students explored various departments, including the editorial section, studio, printing press, and archives, gaining firsthand insights into how news stories are created, edited, and published. They also learned about the importance of credible reporting and how social media content is crafted to engage younger audiences.

Adding a playful twist to the visit, the team organized a game of hide and seek for the students, who dashed through the newsroom and turned the space into a lively, energetic environment.

The visit was part of the school’s initiative to blend education with real-world exposure and Kuwait Times’ ongoing mission to connect with and inspire future generations.

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AUK students unite for Gaza with ‘Play it Forward’ awareness event

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KUWAIT: The Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) organized an awareness event titled “Play it Forward” on Wednesday, in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and 12 student organizations, to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Shoroq Bukhamsin, President of the Finance Club, said the event’s primary aim was to amplify awareness. “We wanted people to remember the cause, to remember the people. It’s still relevant and it will never stop being relevant,” she said.

A key feature of the event was an emotional art exhibition titled “Gaza Habibti” by Untold Palestine, which displayed photographs of Gaza’s people before and after the war. “The gallery traces the emotional journey — beginning with life before the war, then documenting the devastation and personal stories from the current conflict,” Bukhamsin explained. “It reminds us they are not just numbers. They are souls, families, daughters and sons.”

The exhibition also included large-scale installations by regional artists, including a moving piece known as the Martyr’s Wall, which displayed photos of 1,300 Palestinians who lost their lives. “This is not even a fraction; the current death toll exceeds 50,000,” Bukhamsin noted. She extended heartfelt thanks to AUK, faculty advisors, club executives, supporting businesses, and Kuwait Times for their support and coverage.

Jumanah Al-Bloushi, Vice President of the Finance Club, said the event also featured an open market and game zone. Local businesses and food vendors participated, pledging 25 percent of their proceeds to humanitarian causes related to Palestine. Attendees were encouraged to donate through interactive games.

A performance show by ArtScene and Argan Bedaya capped the event, featuring music, poetry and storytelling in tribute to Palestinian identity and resilience. Al-Bloushi praised the collective spirit: “It’s so beautiful to see so many different organizations come together just to make this happen today.” She added, “This event is a reminder that even after a year, the Palestinian cause is still relevant and we will not let it be forgotten.”

Mishari Al-Ibrahim, a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Kuwait, also participated in the exhibition. He emphasized the boycott as a powerful form of resistance: “Here in Kuwait, we’re pioneers and active in this field,” he said. “These events allow us to explain the different forms of boycott — commercial, academic and sports — as tools to counter normalization and raise awareness.”

He encouraged individuals to engage by staying informed and making conscious choices. “At the very least, refrain from buying targeted products and raise awareness among your family and peers,” he said. “When you have the right information, you become a source of knowledge. That’s how you become an active member of the global boycott movement and part of the change.”

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