KUWAIT: In continuation of its leading and responsible efforts in the field of sustainability, National Bank of Kuwait was the diamond sponsor for “Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week” conference, which will be held from 11 to 13 May, in line with Kuwait spearheading the Board of Trustees of the Regional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Through this sponsorship, NBK confirms its commitment to supporting initiatives of sustainability and efforts of clean energy transformation in Kuwait and the region. Several government institutions and leading private sector companies participated in this conference, further echoing the national cooperation towards achieving a more sustainable future.

NBK’s sustainability team participated in a discussion panel titled “Accelerating Sustainability through Green Projects and Businesses” to highlight the bank’s leadership in green projects and its continuous efforts to fully integrate sustainable practices within its operations and institutional culture, further contributing to achieving sustainable development as per international practices.

The conference aimed to strengthen regional cooperation in essential fields such as research and development, advanced technologies in renewable energy sectors, energy efficiency, sustainable energy applications, in addition to the latest environmental technology tools. Moreover, it aimed to shed light on the most recent national innovations and initiatives in the fields of energy, water, and the environment, and enhance fruitful cooperation with international organizations, prestigious scientific research centers, and leading energy companies.

The conference included in-depth workshops and discussions about the latest international developments in energy policies and the effective ways of contributing to developing strategies that further support clean energy transformation and sustainability goals in the region. It should be noted that this conference is a great platform for interactive exchange of ideas and innovative insights on clean energy transformation, which further enhances effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. As for the community, the conference raised awareness and encouraged innovation about using renewable and sustainable sources of energy and highlight its positive effect upon economic growth, such as attracting local and international renewable energy investments.

Many topics were explored in the conference, the most significant of which were policies that support investments in sustainable energy projects, ways of building a sustainable future for coming generations, the exchange of knowledge among participants, the latest international trends in clean energy transformation, and awareness and innovation in this field. NBK’s participation in this event reflects its commitment to boosting sustainable development and supporting a low-carbon economy in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and international sustainable development goals, as it believes in the importance of the collaborative efforts of all sectors to achieve a safe and sustainable future for all.

The bank has come a long way in our sustainability and clean-energy transformation efforts, asit made remarkable progress in the four pillars of the bank’s environmental, social and institutional governance strategy which include Governance for Resilience, Responsible Banking, Capitalizing on Capabilities, and Investing in Communities. All these have contributed to enhancing NBK’s leading role in building a better and more sustainable future. Moreover, NBK is keen on cooperating with strategic partners to constantly support sustainable practices and promote Kuwait’s agenda for lowering carbon emissions and relying on renewable energy.

NBK emphasizes its commitment to long-term sustainable practices and low operational effects by implementing low-carbon and energy efficiency initiatives, as this has helped the bank move in the right direction towards achieving low operational emissions and ultimately carbon neutrality by 2060. It is noteworthy that NBK received several prestigious classifications from international institutions, which highlights its commitment to sustainability and governance, confirms its progress in integrating ESG standards in its core strategy, and enhances its leading role in implementing the best international practices.

On the sidelines of the conference, Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem, Minister of Electricity, Water, Renewable Energy honored NBK in appreciation of its sponsorship of the “Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week” Conference, as well as its efforts in supporting sustainability initiatives, enhancing the future for upcoming generations, and effective contributions towards clean energy transformation locally and regionally.

KUWAIT: Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing the Shagaya Renewable Energy Complex Phases 3 and 4, as well as the Abdaliya project, in collaboration with leading Chinese firms specializing in renewable technologies. In a press statement issued Monday following his visit to the Shagaya Solar Energy Complex, Dr Al-Mukhaizeem emphasized that these projects fall in line with Kuwait’s strategic objective of generating 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

He noted that achieving this target would contribute significantly to energy security and sustainable development in the country. The minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China, led by Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Zhang Jinwei. Also present was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Electric Power Investment Group, Li Baozhen, along with several company representatives.

During the visit, the delegation received a detailed briefing on the complex’s operations, which represent Kuwait’s first tangible step toward integrating renewable energy sources into the national power grid. The current phase of the project has a production capacity of 70 megawatts, utilizing a mix of technologies including photovoltaic solar energy, concentrated solar power (CSP), and wind turbines. The visit was also attended by Undersecretary of the Ministry Dr Adel Al-Zamel, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Dr Faisal Al-Humaidan, along with other senior officials from the Ministry and KISR. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Monday issued Ministerial Resolution No 93 of 2025, approving the pricing of 69 new medicines and pharmaceutical products available in private sector pharmacies. The move is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to ensure patient safety, maintain treatment quality, and strike a balance between economic efficiency and healthcare excellence.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the decision is aligned with its broader strategy to reduce and standardize the prices of medicines, aiming to position Kuwait among the countries with the lowest drug prices in the region. The resolution follows recommendations made by the Drug Pricing Committee and underscores the ministry’s commitment to enhancing price oversight and market regulation, thereby supporting patients by lowering costs without compromising the effectiveness of treatments.

The newly approved price list encompasses a wide range of therapeutic categories. These include medications for cancer, including leukemia, as well as treatments for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. It also covers anticoagulants, antidepressants, antiepileptics, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, asthma treatments, osteoporosis drugs, thyroid medications, dermatological preparations, Alzheimer’s and dementia treatments, obesity medications, and migraine relief drugs.

The ministry noted that this latest measure complements Ministerial Resolution No. 74 of 2023 and forms part of a series of initiatives aimed at expanding access to affordable medicine. Last week, the ministry approved a 30 percent price reduction for tirzepatide injections. Additionally, prices for 146 medicines were approved in March, following earlier reductions for over 200 medications in July 2024 and the pricing of 228 medicines in May of the same year. The Ministry of Health reiterated its ongoing commitment to equitable access to medication, alleviating the financial burden on patients, and reinforcing a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system in Kuwait. — KUNA