Latest news with #AhmadAl-AbdullahAl-AhmadAl-Sabah
Kuwait Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's T2 meets LEED Gold standards, local accessibility code
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Cabinet on Tuesday reviewed the progress of Terminal 2 (T2) at Kuwait International Airport, highlighting its achievement in earning the LEED Gold Certification — a milestone that places the project among the most environmentally sustainable airport terminals in the region. The update came during the Cabinet's weekly meeting at Bayan Palace, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan presented a comprehensive visual briefing detailing the airport's design and infrastructure components, which include the terminal building, support facilities, aircraft stands and access roads. Dr Al-Mashaan announced that the terminal was awarded LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a globally recognized sustainability rating system overseen by the US Green Building Council. The certification affirms that the terminal meets rigorous environmental standards across energy efficiency, water conservation, building materials and indoor environmental quality. The Cabinet praised the Ministry of Public Works, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and all contributing teams for delivering a future-focused project that aligns with Kuwait's national sustainability and development goals. Officials emphasized that the terminal's green design is not only a technical achievement but also a reflection of Kuwait's growing commitment to environmental stewardship in public infrastructure. The LEED-certified terminal incorporates advanced energy systems, natural lighting, and sustainable materials to reduce the building's carbon footprint. It is also expected to contribute significantly to improving passenger capacity and operational efficiency. In a related statement, Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah emphasized that the new terminal is also fully committed to applying the Kuwait Accessibility Code, a universal design framework that ensures the facility accommodates the needs of all members of society, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and individuals with special needs. Al-Huwailah told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the project includes sensory rooms designed specifically for those who may experience challenges in high-stimulation environments, such as children with autism or individuals with cognitive impairments and age-related conditions like Alzheimer's. She explained that the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities has worked closely with the Ministry of Public Works, Kuwait Municipality, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to ensure the terminal's design reflects Kuwait's national values of inclusion, social justice and accessibility. 'The adoption of the national accessibility code in the new airport project is a model of institutional integration and embodies the state's vision for an inclusive built environment that serves all members of society without exception,' Al-Huwailah said. The Kuwait Accessibility Code is a set of nationally approved technical and engineering standards aimed at making public and private spaces accessible and usable by everyone — especially people with disabilities and the elderly— through universal design principles. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Petroleum council meets as Kuwait monitors oil market risks
Officials review strategic projects amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Gulf KUWAIT: His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Petroleum Council for 2025 on Tuesday at Bayan Palace. The meeting comes at a critical moment, with ongoing military strikes between the Zionist entity and Iran pushing threatening oil shipping routes and pushing prices into volatile territory. Council members reviewed key items on the agenda, including major projects approved by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries, as well as strategic plans aligned with Kuwait's energy goals. The council also examined regional and international political developments and their implications for the oil market. No immediate disruptions Despite growing fears over a broader regional war, oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — the primary route for Kuwait's crude exports — remain stable, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Ship-tracking data from analytics firm Kpler and the Financial Times confirm that tanker traffic continues uninterrupted, and there have been no efforts to block exports from Kuwait or its regional neighbors. Experts have said that any closure of the strait could restrict trade and impact global oil prices. About a fifth of the world's total oil consumption passes through the strait. Between the start of 2022 and last month, roughly 17.8 million to 20.8 million barrels of crude, condensate and fuels flowed through the strait daily, according to data from Vortexa. OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq export most of their crude via the strait, mainly to Asia. Electronic interference At present, Kuwait has not announced any changes to production levels, rerouting plans, or adjustments to insurance policies for its oil shipments. Still, electronic interference affecting commercial navigation systems around the Strait and the wider Arabian Gulf has intensified in recent days, according to naval authorities. 'JMIC continue to receive reports of electronic interference stemming from the vicinity of Port of Bandar Abbas (in Iran), in the SoH and several other areas in the Arabian Gulf,' the US-led Combined Maritime Force's information center said in an advisory. 'This disruption is affecting vessels' ability to accurately transmit positional data via automated identification systems (AIS), posing operational and navigational challenges.' Prices stable for now Oil prices surged last week as Zionist airstrikes on Iran raised fears of supply disruption, especially through the critical Hormuz chokepoint. However, on Tuesday, Brent crude fell 1.52 percent to $75.31 per barrel after US President Donald Trump suggested Iran was seeking to negotiate — a remark that briefly calmed markets. 'In light of military escalation, oil prices have risen nearly eight percent since the conflict began, and are expected to continue climbing as hostilities intensify,' said Khaled Boudai, head of Ofoq Consulting, in comments to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) earlier this week. He added that prices could exceed $100, but said that without physical damage to infrastructure, which lead to sustained supply disruptions, such spikes are usually short-lived. — Agencies
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait holds third day of emergency meetings as regional unrest escalates
Officials reassure public while keeping details of contingency plans under wraps KUWAIT: For the third day in a row, senior Kuwaiti officials have convened emergency meetings in response to the escalating conflict between Iran and the Zionist entity, assuring that essential services are secure and the country remains prepared for any scenario. On Saturday evening, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chaired a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council at Bayan Palace, where senior ministers and security officials reviewed the latest regional developments and discussed Kuwait's precautionary measures. 'The council reviewed key regional developments and received briefings from ministers and top state officials on the preparedness of relevant agencies and the precautionary steps taken to confront all possible scenarios,' the government said in an official statement. While officials have not disclosed details of the emergency plans, they emphasized that all government bodies are operating in coordination to ensure the continuity of services and the security of citizens and residents. 'All entities are working to secure basic services, ensure the availability of all necessary supplies, and facilitate the continuity of public services, with the goal of preserving security and stability in the country,' the statement added. Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwaila convens a meeting with undersecretaries to review the strategic stockpile of essential goods. The heightened state of alert follows a dramatic surge in regional tensions. On Friday, the Zionist entity launched an unprecedented series of airstrikes on Iranian territory, targeting nuclear, military and civilian infrastructure. According to Iranian officials, the strikes have so far killed 128, including senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and children. Iran and the Zionist entity have exchanged strikes since then, with Iranian attacks killing 13 people in the Zionist entity. The escalation has raised fears of a broader regional conflict that could impact Gulf nations, including Kuwait. In response, multiple Kuwaiti institutions have held emergency meetings to assess readiness. On Sunday, Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah convened a broad meeting with ministry undersecretaries to review the strategic stockpile of essential goods and assess the readiness of affiliated sectors. 'The meeting focused on institutional readiness in light of current and potential challenges, and ways to enhance proactive planning to support Kuwait's social safety net,' the ministry said. 'Strategic inventory levels and future planning mechanisms were reviewed to ensure continued stability and responsiveness.' The meeting follows a statement released by the minister on Sunday, in which she confirmed that the cooperative sector is closely monitoring the availability of goods in coordination with relevant government agencies. 'The strategic stockpile is stable and goods are available to meet consumers' needs without any obstacles,' she said. On the environmental front, Acting Director-General of the Environment Public Authority Nouf Behbehani confirmed that Kuwait is 'closely monitoring the environmental impacts of regional developments,' and that a comprehensive assessment is underway to detect and respond to any cross-border environmental risks. Her remarks come amid international concern after Zionist airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. While no radiation leaks have been detected, global experts and agencies have warned of potential risks if the escalation continues. 'The authority is coordinating with relevant official bodies and remains committed to providing accurate environmental information and taking appropriate measures as needed,' Behbehani said. Similarly, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources held an internal session to review its own contingency plans. Director-General Salem Al-Hai emphasized that all departments are 'fully prepared to deal with any emergency' and highlighted the authority's commitment to reinforcing national resilience in food security and agricultural services. Despite repeated official reassurances, the government has yet to publicly share the full scope of its emergency planning. However, the pace of back-to-back meetings and continuous public updates reflects a coordinated national effort to remain vigilant as the regional situation unfolds. — Agencies
Kuwait Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's government intensifies efforts to speed up housing development
KUWAIT: His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chairs a meeting of the Coordinating Committee to Follow Up on the Provision of Services Related to Housing Projects. — KUNA KUWAIT: Minister of State for Municipal and Housing Affairs, Abdullatif Al-Meshari, Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mushaan, and Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Dr Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem discussed the recommendations of His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, regarding the provision of services related to housing projects. This came in a statement by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare to KUNA following a meeting held by the Coordinating Committee to Follow Up on the Provision of Services Related to Housing Projects on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Minister Al-Mishari, with the attendance of the Ministers of Public Works and Electricity as well as senior officials from relevant government agencies. The statement said the committee reviewed the Prime Minister's recommendations and instructed those concerned to accelerate the removal of obstacles. The committee also reviewed the progress achieved in housing welfare projects and the commitment to their specified timelines. The ministers emphasized their keenness to monitor the implementation of housing welfare projects in line with the directives of the political leadership, ensuring suitable housing for citizens, developing infrastructure, and achieving the highest standards of quality in work. They praised the cooperation among concerned authorities regarding remarks on some obstacles within their jurisdiction in the housing welfare projects, which contributes to formulating a strategy to overcome these challenges. His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah had chaired Monday, a meeting of the Coordinating Committee to Follow Up on the Provision of Services Related to Housing Projects. He directed the removal of obstacles facing current projects and called for joint work among relevant entities to eliminate what hinders speeding up the pace of work in these projects. The committee's work aims to accelerate the pace of work, ensure implementation according to the set timeline, and resolve any issues that may arise during the progress of the projects. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait renews push for Northern Economic Zone
Kuwait renews push for Northern Economic Zone Prime Minister meets officials, experts to discuss private sector participation, zone's legal foundation KUWAIT: In a renewed drive to advance one of Kuwait's most ambitious development projects, His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, chaired a strategic meeting at Bayan Palace focused on the Northern Economic Zone— of which Silk City is a prominent part. The meeting brought together senior officials and experts from the Northern Economic Zone project team to review initial features of the zone's strategic plan. Discussions emphasized enhancing private sector participation through a flexible legislative framework and competitive incentive structures targeting industrial, commercial, and tourism sectors. The legal foundation for establishing the zone was also addressed, with officials stressing the need to preserve full Kuwaiti sovereignty while creating an investor-friendly environment. Reviving Silk City Silk City, or Madinat Al-Hareer, has been decades in the making. Originally proposed in the 1980s as a residential project in Subiya, the initiative evolved into a sweeping urban and economic development plan that includes Subiya, Boubyan Island, and nearby northern areas—covering over 250 square kilometers. Though envisioned as a hub for trade, innovation, and regional connectivity, the project has faced repeated delays due to geopolitical instability and shifting political priorities. Chinese involvement A key driver in the latest iteration of the Silk City project is Kuwait's growing partnership with China, particularly under the framework of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As early as 2018, high-level Kuwaiti delegations—including representatives from the Silk City Development Authority—visited Beijing and met with China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the China Development Bank, and top Chinese construction and tech firms such as Huawei, Alibaba, CGGC, and CCCC. These meetings led to several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) around infrastructure investment, e-commerce, and digital development, positioning Silk City as a potential cornerstone of China's regional logistics and digital trade ambitions. The project's inclusion in Kuwait Vision 2035—a national strategy to diversify the economy beyond oil—further deepened its alignment with China's strategic interests in the Gulf. However, the road has not been smooth. Political opposition within Kuwait and debates over the role of foreign stakeholders as opposed to Kuwait's private sector have contributed to delays. The project has largely been on hold since 2019. A turning point Despite these challenges, the government appears determined to move the project forward. The first phase of Silk City, listed on the New Kuwait 2035 website, includes the activation of the China-Kuwait agreement on master planning and the development of special legislation for a competitive economic zone governed by independent institutions. Officials at Tuesday's meeting, including Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil, Head of the Prime Minister's Diwan, and Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Abdulatif Hamed Al-Mashary, reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to transforming the northern region into a hub for trade, innovation, and international investment. — Agencies
