By Chrsitine Susan Shine

KUWAIT: The College of Life Sciences at Kuwait University (KU) hosted a pivotal lecture on Monday addressing strategic priorities for food security across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The event featured keynote speaker Gary Burniske, Managing Director of the Center for Global Food Security at Purdue University, USA and a leading expert in sustainable agriculture, resource management and international development.

Burniske underscored the vital role of research and education in enhancing agricultural productivity. “Without strong research and education, agricultural productivity cannot improve,” he stated, calling on academic institutions to lead policy development based on scientific evidence and to empower local producers through knowledge and innovation. Citing the United Nations Environment Program’s 2024 Food Waste Index Report, Burniske expressed concern over the region’s food wastage, noting that the GCC discarded approximately 1.3 million tons of food in 2022—translating into financial losses estimated between $4 to $7 billion. He further noted a significant data gap in countries such as Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

Gary Burniske

In his address, Burniske stressed the urgency of strengthening local food production to achieve food sovereignty. He advocated for controlled-environment agriculture systems to overcome Kuwait’s natural limitations, including scarce water resources, poor soil quality, and environmental degradation. “Food security is a difficult issue here,” he remarked, pointing out that the GCC imports nearly 85 percent of its food. “This leaves the region vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic when key exporting countries imposed export restrictions on essential staples like rice.”

Referencing a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Burniske noted that Kuwait ranked second in the GCC in food import dependency, with imports reaching $5.3 billion in 2020. He encouraged investment in culturally appropriate crops and more efficient livestock practices. “Poultry presents a promising option—it offers a favorable feed-to-weight ratio, rapid growth, and is a more water-efficient and healthier alternative to beef,” he said.

Concluding his presentation, Burniske appealed to Kuwait University to expand its academic focus on agriculture. “I hope Kuwait University will consider establishing a College of Agriculture—or at least an Agronomy Department—to support these critical pillars of food security,” he urged. The event underscored the growing need for regional collaboration, data-driven strategies, and institutional support to address the multifaceted challenges of food security in the Gulf.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah hosted a luncheon at Bayan Palace on Monday in honor of Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon and the accompanying delegation, on the occasion of their official visit to the country. President Aoun and his delegation concluded their two-day official visit to Kuwait on Monday afternoon. During the visit, the Lebanese leader held official talks with His Highness the Amir, reflecting the strong and historic ties between the two brotherly nations.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah was present at Kuwait International Airport to bid farewell to the Lebanese President and his accompanying delegation. Also present to see off the Lebanese President were Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Al-Maousherji, Acting Minister of Defense and Interior Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, head of the honorary mission and Advisor at the Amiri Diwan Mohammad Abdullah Abulhasan, along with a number of senior state officials.

Before departing the country, President Aoun expressed his sincere gratitude to His Highness the Amir for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. In a letter of thanks delivered through the control tower at Kuwait International Airport, Aoun highlighted the depth of the fraternal ties between Kuwait and Lebanon. “As I leave Kuwait with the accompanying delegation, I am pleased to thank Your Highness for the warm welcome I received during my visit to your brotherly country,” the Lebanese President said. He noted that the visit reflected His Highness’s deep affection for Lebanon and its people, both those residing in Lebanon and those living in Kuwait.

President Aoun also praised the constructive and brotherly discussions he held with His Highness the Amir, underscoring Kuwait’s continued support for Lebanon and the mutual desire to enhance bilateral relations across various fields. Concluding his message, President Aoun wished His Highness the Amir continued health and wellbeing, and further success in leading Kuwait on the path of development and prosperity. — KUNA

KUWAIT: President Joseph Aoun said the Lebanese people did not seek conflicts and there was an understanding that weapons should solely be in the hands of the state.

“I have always repeated the word dialogue because I believe it is the only way to reach the objective, and I also reiterate that diplomacy is the way to restore our sovereignty,” Aoun said in an exclusive interview with KUNA. “There are some voices who want to end the weapons’ file quickly, and I think that we can accomplish this objective but without rush and through preserving domestic peace,” he said.

Asked about the internal disputes, Aoun said there were no major differences among the Lebanese people providing “we comply with the constitution along with dialogue and discussions over the sticky issues.”

Aoun said reforms in the country would contribute to improving the living conditions as well as the relations with other countries, especially Arab and Gulf nations.

“This is the objective of my visits abroad, to restore relations and rebuild trust with other countries by explaining the reforms, the reconstruction of the state and its institutions, passing reforms, deployment of the army and security forces nationwide and keeping weapons in the hands of the Lebanese state,” he said.

“These are gradual steps and I believe we have made many strides. It is a long path and there is no going back, and everyone will see the changes which need time, but they are in the right direction,” he added. “We need to join hands for the sake of Lebanon and its people in order to get the country out of the conflicts and restore functions of institutions that organize the state,” he said.

Aoun arrived in Kuwait yesterday and was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This will be the first meeting with His Highness the Amir, said Aoun, to thank him for “Kuwait’s historic” role in realizing solutions during crises even since before the Taif agreement, which ended the civil war in Lebanon, citing the first “positive initiative” by Kuwait was in 1973.

Aoun said he and His Highness the Amir would be discussing ways of further boosting bilateral relations. “We have a common concern which is the internal unity in our countries.”

President Aoun had already visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and now Kuwait. “Ever since my election I was keen on returning Lebanon to the Arab fold and the return of Arabs to Lebanon, which began to materialize. I will also embark on an Arab tour to iron out outstanding issues. I would like to express gratitude for all Arab countries for honoring Lebanon’s demands.”

“Lebanon cannot be a base or a pathway for any harm to any Arab country. The role of Lebanon is to carry a message of peace and neutrality and be a place and a pathway for dialogue, tolerance and co-existence,” he said.

Asked about economic relations with the State of Kuwait, Aoun said the Arab Gulf country has been contributing to many development projects since the early 1960s. “The first loan for Kuwait for Beirut municipality was few months after the independence of the State of Kuwait all the way to the building or the silos at Beirut port,” he said.

Kuwait’s assistance continued, he noted, and included in the reconstruction efforts after the Israeli occupation’s aggression in 2006, rebuilding electricity, water and road infrastructures in southern Beirut and southern Lebanon, as well as schools.

Kuwait, he added, provided humanitarian assistance following the 2020 massive explosion of Beirut port. Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) expressed readiness to rebuild the silos. “I think Kuwait is ready to contribute to reconstruction of Lebanon as it has always been by its side,” he said.

Lebanon also needs foreign investments, but this required multiple reforms. “Investment needs reforms,” affirmed Aoun, citing a recent law that boost independence of the judiciary which would provide stability thus encourage investment.

“I think security and judiciary are important and coupled with economic and financial reforms in addition to the restructuring of the banking sector. It is a huge workshop, and we want it to succeed,” he said, and it was also one of the funding conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Aoun spoke about the Arab Summit and the Arab Economic and Social Summit, due in Baghdad on May 17, and said Lebanon sought a united Arab positions regarding the Palestinian cause. President Aoun meanwhile called on Kuwaitis to come and invest in Kuwait. He said Lebanon and Kuwait enjoyed solid bonds, citing the first Lebanese citizen to visit Kuwait was in 1915 and the first Middle East airlines landed in Kuwait in the 1940s. – KUNA