KUWAIT: The Women’s Institute for Development and Peace (WIDP) organized the fifth edition of the Kuwait Deaf Day Forum under the theme “The Cry of the Deaf and Kuwait Vision 2035,” highlighting the importance of empowering individuals with hearing disabilities and enhancing their integration into all sectors of society. Held on May 8 under the patronage and attendance of Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, the forum took place at the Arab Center for Educational Research for the Gulf States. The event resulted in a set of comprehensive recommendations aimed at upholding the rights of the hearing-impaired in education, healthcare, and employment.

WIDP President Kawthar Al-Jouan told KUNA on Sunday that the forum put forth general, sector-specific, and health-related recommendations designed to support the inclusion of the hearing-impaired and affirm their right to self-determination. Al-Jouan stressed the importance of expanding educational opportunities for the deaf community, including access to Kuwait University and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). She also called for the creation of employment pathways tailored to this capable and distinguished segment of society.

The forum featured four dialogue sessions with the participation of experts, specialists, and policymakers from Kuwait and Bahrain. Key recommendations included the employment of hearing-impaired individuals, admission of deaf students into the College of Basic Education, official recognition of Kuwaiti Sign Language as a second language, and revising school hours to align with public education needs. Additional proposals focused on utilizing retired teachers within the Special Education Department and appointing qualified sign language interpreters, with calls to provide financial rewards for their services.

On the healthcare front, recommendations emphasized the importance of early detection of hearing loss, proper use of hearing aids, and granting individuals the right to seek medical treatment abroad when local options are unavailable. Al-Jouan concluded the forum by honoring participants from the Ministry of Education, the Educational Research Center for the Gulf States, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ Committee for Promoting Moderation, the Dean of the College of Education at Kuwait University, and the Director of the Special Education Schools Department, in recognition of their contributions to the forum’s success. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Ministry of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs launches a specialized training course in sign language for staff members of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Public Authority for the Disabled, and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. – KUNA photos

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah affirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing services for all segments of society—particularly the deaf and mute—through the development of employees’ communication skills in sign language. In a press statement on Sunday, Dr Al-Huwailah announced the launch of a specialized training course in sign language for staff members of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Public Authority for the Disabled, and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. The course, which began earlier in the day at Al-Mubarakiya Hall in the Ministries Complex, will continue until May 27.

Dr Al-Huwailah noted that the training, led by Dr Mohammad Al-Ramzi, falls within the ministry’s broader strategy to create an inclusive and integrated service environment. The initiative aims to facilitate communication with individuals with hearing disabilities, enhance the efficiency of service delivery, and raise the overall standard of job performance. “Equipping employees with sign language skills directly contributes to service quality and supports the ministry’s vision of inclusive access to services for all members of society without exception,” Dr Al-Huwailah said.

For his part, Dr Al-Ramzi explained that the training covers foundational aspects of sign language and its practical application in day-to-day interactions with clients who are deaf or mute. He emphasized that such initiatives help simplify procedures, improve client satisfaction, and strengthen the effectiveness of public services. Dr Al-Ramzi further highlighted the importance of promoting sign language as a vital tool for communication and integration, calling it a “bridge” that connects the hearing-impaired community with broader society and fosters greater awareness and inclusion. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Finance Noura Al-Fassam on Sunday issued a decision authorizing the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) to borrow from the domestic and global markets, respectively, in favor of the ministry in implementation of the newly issued public debt law.

The two bodies will conduct the borrowing processes for the current fiscal year 2025/2026, which started on April 1, in consultation and prior arrangements with the ministry of finance, said the decision, without providing details about the amounts to be borrowed. Kuwait issued a new debt law in March, putting a ceiling of KD 30 billion on public debt and maturity at 50 years. It will be the first time Kuwait returns to borrowing since 2017.

Published in the official gazette Kuwait Alyoum, the decree is based on the Amiri decree-law regarding financing, liquidity and public debt strategy, as well as the approved financing plan for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. According to the first article of the decree, the CBK is authorized — on behalf of and in coordination with the ministry — to conduct

domestic loan operations in Kuwaiti dinars or major convertible foreign currencies. These operations must follow internationally recognized financial instruments and practices.

The second article authorizes KIA to conduct external loan operations in major convertible foreign currencies from the global market, also on behalf of and in coordination with the ministry, and in line with international financial practices. The third article mandates the relevant authorities to implement the decree within their respective jurisdictions and submit periodic reports to the minister of finance on actions taken under its provisions.

Director of public debt at the finance ministry Faisal Al-Muzaini said last week the state is expected to borrow between KD 3 to 6 billion during the current fiscal year to finance development projects. Al-Muzaini also said that the ratio of debt to gross domestic product (GDP) in Kuwait is very small at just 2.9 percent, whereas it is 60 to 70 percent in many countries. He said that the 2025-2030 five-year strategic borrowing plan will be determined by oil prices, global markets and risks associated with borrowing.

Finance ministry undersecretary Aseel Al-Munaifi also said last week the new debt law will stimulate the economic environment and promote foreign investments into Kuwait, besides accelerating economic growth and strengthening the banking system in Kuwait. She said that a law regulating the issuance of sukuk, or Islamic bonds, is expected to be issued soon as it is being reviewed by authorities at the council of ministers.