KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar held talks with Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Dima Al-Yahya on Monday to discuss strengthening economic and technological integration, as part of Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to bolster cooperation with the organization and advance its digital transformation agenda.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Minister Al-Omar said the meeting explored initiatives to promote digital inclusion and expand the digital economy in alignment with the “New Kuwait 2035” vision, which prioritizes the digitization of government services and fosters innovation across sectors.

The discussions also reviewed Kuwait’s preparations, in its capacity as the current chair of the DCO, to host the upcoming General Assembly meeting scheduled for early 2026. Al-Omar reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to fostering regional and international partnerships in the digital sphere, highlighting the DCO’s role as a vital platform for promoting digital growth and sustainable development through a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. For her part, Al-Yahya commended Kuwait’s leadership in digital integration across the region.

She praised the country’s strides in developing digital infrastructure and promoting inclusive access to digital services for all segments of society, as well as its achievements in streamlining government procedures through digitization to enhance service efficiency and user experience. 

Established in November 2020 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the DCO aims to accelerate digital economic growth among member states. Kuwait, one of the organization’s founding members, continues to support regional and international initiatives that foster innovation and shape forward-looking digital policies and legislation. – KUNA

KUWAIT: The College of Education at Kuwait University (KU), in collaboration with the Public Authority for Youth (PAY), hosted a forum titled “Innovation and Intellectual Property” on Monday, highlighting the intersection of scientific research and entrepreneurship in shaping the future of ideas. Chairing the forum, Dr Amthal Al-Aifan emphasized the importance of educating youth about their rights to protect intellectual property, commending the PAY’s role in supporting and honoring young talents through the Best Innovative Projects Competition.

She stressed the need to empower youth with the tools of innovation and ensure the protection of their ideas through a comprehensive intellectual property framework, which she described as a cornerstone for building a sustainable knowledge-based economy. “Youth are the primary engine for any national transformation toward innovation, provided they are supported with an enabling environment and strong institutional backing,” Al-Aifan said. She noted that the college has introduced a new course titled “Psychology of Creativity” aimed at equipping students with the foundations of creative thinking and practical tools for successful project development.

The forum also featured an exhibition showcasing student innovations and concluded with several recommendations, including the call to reinforce creative environments within educational institutions, as creativity is now a necessity for societal progress and sustainability. Official spokesperson for the Public Authority for Youth, Asrar Al-Ansari, highlighted the forum’s key message: enabling youth to turn their ideas into entrepreneurial ventures while ensuring protection of their innovations through specialized state institutions.

She reiterated the Authority’s commitment to fostering partnerships with public, private, and civil society sectors to support young talents, viewing intellectual property as fundamental to unleashing youth potential and contributing to national development under the New Kuwait 2035 vision. Dr Fatima Al-Thallab, head of the Kuwait Society for Supporting Inventors and Innovation, underlined the association’s efforts in mentoring youth through collaborations with experienced inventors, aiming to cultivate a culture of innovation and improve Kuwait’s global standing in creativity indicators.

Representing the National Library of Kuwait, Rahaf Al-Jassar stated that the library plays a vital role in preserving literary, innovative, and academic works, ensuring copyright protection. Meanwhile, the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity handles the protection of scientific inventions. 

The forum concluded with an awards ceremony for the Best Innovative Projects Competition. First place went to student Hind Jassim for her project “Smart Bag,” followed by Retaj Al-Marshad’s “Teacher Trolley” in second place, and Jude Yousef’s “Glasses for the Blind” taking third. – KUNA

KUWAIT: The 20th Arab Media Forum concluded on Monday, wrapping up a dynamic agenda with five dialogue sessions that addressed key issues shaping the regional media landscape. Topics discussed included the psychological behavior of media users, the representation of women in the media sector, and the legal frameworks governing traditional and digital media platforms.

The final day commenced with a session titled “Psychological Behavior in Media and Social Media”, featuring psychiatrist Dr Mohab Mujahid and prominent media figure Mustafa Agha, moderated by Rahaf Al-Sawalha. Speakers explored the deep intersection between media and human psychology, emphasizing the media’s powerful influence on collective awareness and emotional states. The panel examined how media content can either instill reassurance or incite anxiety, depending on how messages are framed and disseminated across digital platforms.

Dr Mujahid shed light on the rising trend of “fabricated negativity” on social media, describing it as an addictive behavior in which users intentionally provoke or shock to draw attention. Meanwhile, Agha emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue, urging respect for differing opinions and discouraging personal attacks, noting that diversity of thought should foster discussion — not division.

In a session titled “Journalism… An Endless Profession”, speakers delved into the future of journalism amid rapid digital evolution. The panel featured Mahmoud Al-Mamlouk, Editor-in-Chief of Cairo 24, and Rashid Al-Hamar, Editor-in-Chief of Bahrain’s Al-Ayam newspaper, with moderation by Sultan Al-Qahtani, Editor-in-Chief of Riyadh Post. Discussions focused on the increasing challenges posed by social media’s dominance and the urgent need for traditional outlets to pivot towards impactful digital content. Al-Mamlouk underscored the fierce competition between digital journalism and social platforms, while Al-Hamar called for strategic transformations to modernize legacy media through robust social media engagement.

The third session, “Women and the Media: Mental Image and Professional Skills”, highlighted the evolving role of women in the media sector. The panel included former Egyptian Minister of Information Dr Doria Sharaf El Din, President of the Emirates Journalists Association Fadhila Al Muaini, Kuwaiti academic Dr Samar Baqer, and Lebanese journalist Lana Madwar, moderated by Emirati Dr Maya Al Hawari.

Speakers noted the significant strides made in empowering women to assume leadership roles within media institutions, crediting this shift to cultural evolution, enhanced educational access, and inclusive policy frameworks. The session also addressed how media portrayals influence public perceptions of women and stressed the need for continuous skill development amid a fast-changing media environment.

Legal and regulatory dimensions were tackled in the fourth session, “Laws and Legislation in the Media and Social Media”, held in cooperation with the Kuwait Lawyers Association. The session featured Egyptian lawyer Dr Mohamed Abu Shaqa and Kuwaiti legal expert Dr Hussein Al-Abdullah. Participants noted that while freedom of expression is constitutionally protected across much of the Arab world, it must be exercised responsibly and in line with legal boundaries that safeguard public order and individual dignity.

The session emphasized the need for ethical compliance and respect for societal norms in digital and traditional media practices. The forum concluded with an open dialogue titled “Media: Message and Rules”, led by Islamic preacher Mustafa Hosni and moderated by Secretary-General of the Forum Madi Al-Khamis. Hosni highlighted the importance of maintaining humility and ethical responsibility in media work, stressing that professionals should remain grounded in spiritual and moral values regardless of their influence or reach.

Held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the 20th edition of the Arab Media Forum was launched on Saturday under the theme “Media Challenges in Light of Technological Development and Digital Transformation.” The event witnessed wide participation from across the Arab world, with the United Arab Emirates honored as the guest of this year’s session. — KUNA