KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace on Monday President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Dr Thomas Bach, IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry, and members of the IOC and National Olympic Committees (NOCs), on the occasion of their visit to Kuwait for the 45th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The meeting was also attended by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, along with senior state officials.

His Highness the Amir delivered a speech welcoming the distinguished guests and highlighting Kuwait’s pride in hosting the General Assembly. “We welcome you to the land of love and peace and extend our appreciation for your sincere efforts in advancing Asian sports and empowering athletes across the continent,” His Highness said. He reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to sports development, in line with the New Kuwait 2035 vision, which emphasizes investment in youth, inclusivity in sports for all segments of society, and the promotion of peace, tolerance and cooperation through athletics.

“Sports are more than competition — they embody values, determination and unity. They are a bridge for dialogue and mutual understanding across cultures and borders,” His Highness stated. He also expressed Kuwait’s pride in being home to the OCA and stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation among National Olympic Committees, with a focus on women’s sports, sports for people with disabilities, and the integration of technology in sports infrastructure.

Dr Thomas Bach also addressed the gathering, expressing his gratitude for the warm hospitality and lauding Kuwait’s leadership in promoting the values of the Olympic Movement. “The presence of all 45 members of the National Olympic Committees of Asia here in Kuwait reflects the unity of the continent and the OCA’s vital role in connecting Asia with the international Olympic community,” Bach said. He highlighted Kuwait’s instrumental role in revitalizing the Olympic Council of Asia and underscored His Highness the Amir’s commitment to both the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

Dr Bach also announced ongoing efforts by the IOC to embrace the digital revolution, including the Olympic AI Agenda, aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence to benefit athletes worldwide. As a token of appreciation, Dr Bach presented His Highness the Amir with a special commemorative gold medal — a rare honor previously awarded only to heads of state demonstrating exceptional support for the Olympic Movement. The meeting concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts and was attended by senior officials and dignitaries from across the Olympic community. — KUNA

KUWAIT: President of Lebanon Joseph Aoun and his accompanying delegation arrived on Sunday in Kuwait on an official visit to the country. He was received at the airport by HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

National Guard Chief Sheikh Mubarak Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Al-Maousherji, Defense Minister and Acting Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and senior state officials were also among those who welcomed the Lebanese president.

Aoun extolled Beirut’s “deep-rooted” relations with Kuwait, saying these ties are based on mutual respect and cooperation across various fields. Expressing his “pleasure” to respond to HH the Amir’s invitation, the Lebanese president told KUNA that his official visit to Kuwait typified the “historic and brotherly” relations that Kuwait and Beirut share. He added the Lebanese people were immensely grateful for Kuwait’s persistent support, particularly at a time when Beirut is in the throes of adversity, citing that his visit should give impetus to a raft of fresh bilateral agreements.

On issues he plans on discussing with HH the Amir, Aoun said existential challenges amid “trying circumstances” and matters of mutual concern were on top of the agenda. The Lebanese president’s visit to Kuwait should be instrumental in ushering in new growth in bilateral relations, while paving the way for broader cooperation between the two nations, he added. — KUNA 

KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel on Sunday issued a decision establishing a central committee to study prices in the domestic market and monitor inflation and supply chains in a bid to control the movement of prices. The panel, called the Central Committee to Study Prices and Monitor Inflation and Supply Chains, is headed by the ministry undersecretary and includes senior representatives from 15 ministries and departments including the Kuwaiti Federation of Food Traders and Manufacturers.

Under the decision, the committee is authorized to monitor and determine prices in various domestic markets and then lay out guidelines and mechanisms to ensure price stability. The committee will study inflation rates in Kuwait and propose adequate recommendations to deal with them and limit their impact, the decision said.

The panel will also study and follow up supply chains to the local market and ensure their effectiveness and an organized inflow of commodities into the country. The decision said part of the committee’s duties will be to propose policies to strengthen competition and provide incentives for both manufacturers and importers to ensure that sufficient quantities of commodities are available to consumers. The committee will also fight against dumping in order to protect national products. The decision also said that the committee can establish specialized subcommittees to monitor prices and inflation rates, regulate markets and follow up on strategic storage.