Al-Diwan Al-Amiri News

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Monday sponsored and attended the opening ceremony of Sabah Al-Salem University City and honored top graduates for the years 2018/2019 - 2019/2020 - 2020/2021. Receiving His Highness the Amir was Minister of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Adel Al-Adwani as well as Deputy Chief of Kuwait University Dr. Nawaf Al-Mutairi and university officials. His Highness the Amir revealed a mural announcing the opening of Sabah Al-Salem University City. Attending the ceremony was Prime Minister-designate Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Chief of supreme judicial council and court of cassation counselor Dr. Adel Bouresli, top state officials and families of graduates. The Minister of Education gave a speech welcoming His Highness the Amir and the esteemed guests, thanking the Amir for his never-ending support to the pursuit of education and support and interest in developing human capital. This ceremony, he pointed out, coincides with opening of Sabah Al-Salem University City, saying that it is a translation of directives of political leadership on developing education establishments and public universities and removing any obstacles that may stand in the way of progress. This ceremony, honoring top students of three batches, is turning point for education in the country and a step contributing to comprehensive development process, stated the Minister. Minister Al-Adwani addressed honor students expressing his pride in their diligent work and congratulated them for their success and excellence. He called on the graduates to take on responsibility towards their homeland and work towards its progress and prosperity as they are its true wealth and investment. The Minister's heartfelt speech was followed by President Al-Mutairi's who told the audience of the years of hard work on the path towards opening this University City. He stated that this contributes to strategic developmental goals of the state as it is one the biggest projects and a leap in the education process. He spoke of the highly intricate design that weaves the old into the new, integrates the traditional with the modern. Dr. Al-Mutairi spoke of the utilization of technology and Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of the students, adding that Kuwait University went beyond its academic role and gained accreditation from World Health Organization to join health cities initiative. Al-Mutairi extended his thanks those responsible for edifice, and congratulated the honor graduates calling on them to be acquainted with various cultures while remaining rooted in their own. Honor graduate Sheikh Bader Al-Sabah gave speech on behalf of fellow graduates, and his voiced pride and joy at having His Highness the Amir honor him and his peers. He vowed to be a driving force behind development of this country, taking the time to thank professors for their significant efforts, and parents for their ceaseless support. A documentary on the University City was played followed by the honoring ceremony, His Highness the Amir was then presented with a gift to commemorate this momentous occasion.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Sunday at Bayan Palace United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on his visit to the country. During the meeting, His Highness the Amir welcomed the UN Chief in Kuwait, thanking him for his support and cooperation. His Highness the Amir presented Guterres with the order of Kuwait; Riband of the Special Class, for his political efforts and significant services. His Highness the Amir also assured Guterres that the State of Kuwait would always support humanitarian work. On his part, the UN Chief said, "Kuwait is a symbol of humanity, wisdom and generosity." He also thanked His Highness the Amir for the special order. "I would like to receive it on behalf of the United Nations, and in particular, on behalf of the nearly 200 members of the UN who were killed in Gaza. I would like to express my deep gratitude for Kuwait's enduring commitment to peace, he added. "I will never forget when I was UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and I was desperate at not being able to find support for Syrian refugees at that time. His Highness the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was the one who organized 3 international conferences to support Syrian refugees, and Kuwait made the largest donation," said Guterres. Guterres stresses that he will always remember that Kuwait was always the mediator when any issues happened within the GCC.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Sunday at Bayan Palace United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on occasion of his visit to the country. During the meeting, the two discussed the exemplary relations between Kuwait and the UN, mechanisms promoting further cooperation as well as efforts supporting international peace and security and coordination to achieve development and humanitarian initiatives. His Highness the Amir and the UN top official examined latest updates on the situation in Gaza and the necessity to intensify efforts towards immediate ceasefire, as well as regional and international developments. His Highness the Amir presented Guterres with the order of Kuwait; Riband of the Special Class, for his political efforts and significant services. Top officials were in attendance of the meeting.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah received a telephone call early on Saturday from President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. The UAE President Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed has affirmed that the UAE stands with Kuwait with respect of all measures and decisions it has taken to maintain its stability. Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed has assured His Highness the Amir that he views stability of Kuwait and the UAE as intertwined due to the solid brotherly relations, beseeching His Almighty Allah to preserve Kuwait, the country's bounty of security, safety and stability under the sagacious leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Reciprocating, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal expressed gratitude to the UAE President for the gracious gesture, his true brotherly sentiments that mirror depth of the good and brotherly relations between the two brotherly countries and peoples. His Highness the Amir expressed good wishes to the UAE so it may witness further progress, prosperity and development under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the President of the sisterly UAE.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed a decree Sunday approving the new cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. The new cabinet lineup: 1-Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister, Defense Minister and Interior Minister. 2-Shereeda Abdullah Al-Mousherji, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs. 3-Dr. Imad Mohammad Al-Atiqi, Deputy Prime Minister and Oil Minister. 4-Abdulrahman Bdah Al-Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture. 5-Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi, Minister of Health. 6-Dr. Anwar Ali Al-Mudhaf, Minister of Finance, and Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs. 7-Dr. Adel Mohammad Al-Adwani, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. 8-Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs. 9-Dr. Noura Mohammad Al-Mashaan, Minister of Public Works and Minister of Municipality Affairs. 10-Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Wasmi, Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. 11-Omar Saud Al-Omar, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Minister of State for Communication Affairs. 12-Dr. Mohammad Abdulaziz Bushehri, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, and Minister of State for Housing Affairs. 13-Dr. Amthal Hadi Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Labor, Family Affairs and Childhood and Minister of State for Youth Affairs. The decree would take effect once published in the official gazette.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Sunday at Bayan Palace Prime Minister-designate Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will patronize and attend on Monday the opening of the Abdullah Al-Salem University City opening. He would also honor excelling students at Kuwait University for the 2019-18, 2019-20, and 2020-21 semesters at a ceremony to be held at 10:00 am local-time in the University City's Al-Dana theater.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ordered dissolving the National Assembly (parliament) and suspending some articles of the Constitution for no more than four years, pending "revision of the democratic process it its entirety." In an address to the nation on Friday evening, he said, "The State of Kuwait has undergone challenging times that left repercussions on all aspects of life and created negative reality." "We, as entrusted with looking after this state and its people, had to offer counselling and guidance once and again in order to get out of these conditions with least possible losses. "Unfortunately, we have faced some unimaginable, unbearable difficulties and impediments. Some people attempted resolutely to shut down every way out of the bitter reality. "We were left with no option other than taking this hard decision to rescue the country and protect its higher national interests and resources of the nation," His Highness the Amir explained. His Highness the Amir underscored that a democratic rule requires a great deal of organization of state authorities and distribution of roles according to a clear vision for realizing the national objectives. "This vision makes it inevitable for the legislative and executive authorities to work within specific controls and parameters," he said. Affirming that those controls can never breached or transgressed, His Highness the Amir said, the parameters of the constitution govern the behavior of all powers and authorities of the state. "We have noticed, a few days ago, some behavior and actions that ran counter to the stable rules of the Constitution," His Highness the Amir said, in reference to some MPs who threatened, and vowed grilling against, a minister who may be reinstated at their portfolio. He also referred to some MPs who objected to the nomination of ministers to some portfolios, neglecting that selection of a prime minister or the cabinet members is a constitutional right to the Head of State exclusively. "Transgressing the constitution reached a point that could never be tolerated as it risked undermining the constitutional values and the democratic principles," His Highness the Amir said, noting that those principles had been accepted by everyone for a long time. "Some people went as far as interfering into the powers of the Amir including his right to select his crown prince," he said, reminding that this is clearly own right exclusively. His Highness the Amir added that once a crown prince is handpicked by the Amir, the other authorities of state can play their roles as specified by the constitution. His Highness the Amir referred to the sources of national wealth which must not be neglected or used in a way that depletes them and disrupts the interests of the nation through proposals that waste public money and do not achieve the public interest. His Highness the Amir added that these proposals should serve national economy within the framework of the development plan. The unhealthy atmosphere Kuwait faced in the past years encouraged the spread of corruption that affected most of the State's facilities, and rather reached unfortunately economic and security institutions, His Highness the Amir said. His Highness the Amir elaborated that corruption even affected justice, which is the resort of people to get their rights and freedom, adding that "we are very sure that judiciary will purify itself by its sincere men and the help of Allah." All people should know that no one is above law, and those who got illegally some of public funds will be punished whatever his/ her position is, he noted. "I will not allow by no means that democracy will be exploited to destroy the state as the interest of Kuwaitis which are above all is honesty that we should protect and preserve," His Highness the Amir stressed. His Highness the Amir also referred to behavior of some governments that overlooked grave violations due to parliamentary pressure or unsuccessful efforts that have negative impacts on public interest, vowing that he would not allow such violations under any circumstances. His Highness the Amir underlined the utmost importance of security, saying that "we would pay much attention to achieve this goal by re-considering the laws of social security." He pointed to the nationality file and those who obtained illegally Kuwaiti citizenships. His Highness the Amir said that the state would work on two main pillars: Security and judiciary, noting that such negative phenomena will not remain and be re-considered by reliable people, in line with a well-studied plan. His Highness the Amir finally said frankly that respecting security men is part of the respect of regime, affirming that "I will not allow by no means to touch their prestige and respect while performing their official duties. His Highness the Amir noted that the Kuwaiti people, the founders of democracy, were keen to find a constitution that would serve the interests of the nation and protect the rights and freedoms of the people, and "we did not find in past discussions in the Constituent Assembly or in the councils that followed anything but the pinnacle of respect in their speech." "In addition to the sophisticated practices of the constitutional means available to them in the right place or at the right time, but today, we witnessed the opposite of all that, there is a severe misuse of these means and in the style of speech that does not match with the customs and traditions of Kuwaiti people," he said. "Therefore, Abdullah Al-Salem Hall, instead of being a place for practicing true and sound democracy, has become a stage for all that is unaccustomed and undesirable or acceptable in terms of words. "Such practices and expressions, did not stop at this point, but rather went beyond the use of the constitutional right to interrogation in every opportunity small or big, which wasted the true value of this right as a sophisticated tool for accountability and legislation. "The Constitution did not approve such tool of interrogation, but rather it was stipulated to be a means of reform and correcting any distortions, if any. Otherwise, this fine tool lost its value and the reasons for its determination. "It is our duty to declare our rejection of all these practices and develop a solution to them in a way that ends them so that Abdullah Al-Salem Hall goes back to its place as a symbol of democracy. "Which appreciates and respects elders and listens to other points of view, not being an arena for unacceptable verbal battles or unconstitutional practices that are outside the scope of logic and reason," His Highness the Amir went on. His Highness the Amir said the turmoil in the country's political scene has reached a stage that "I cannot remain silent towards it as it is our duty to take all necessary measures aimed to achieve the highest interest of the country". "I would like to refer to what happened over the past days. After naming the premier and tasking him to form a new government, communication was conducted with some MPs to ensure the participation of some of them in forming the government in abidance by the Article 56 of the Constitution. "Despites this, and in order to make time available to form the government, we have issued the decree No. 67 of 2024 adjourning the meetings of the National Assembly of the 18th legislative term to May 14, Tuesday, in implementation of the Article 106 of the Constitution to start a new phase of positive cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities and joint action to achieve desired reform, and to meet aspirations and hopes of citizens hoping for a better and brighter future" His Highness the Amir elaborated. However, all these attempts failed due to repercussions that led to the incompletion of forming the government in light of some acts of MPs towards forming the government that include conditions and dedications, His Highness the Amir said. The Constitution as a progressive document that responds to the requirements and changes of life finds its outlet through harmony with the social, political, economic, legal and moral conditions in society, he said. The Constitution must be compatible with the new conditions to absorb them to be its outlet in order to continue as a tool that governs the reality of society and its formations, he stated. His Highness the Amir went to say that if all outlets are closed, the Constitution would not be able to carry out its desired role that people and its leadership want. "In this case, it becomes necessary for us to intervene to correct the path, address distortions and fill shortcomings revealed by the practical application of the provisions of the Constitution over the past 62 years without amendment, especially the historic path from which the Kuwaiti Constitution derived its articles and provisions were either totally cancelled or had several amendments to respond to changes," he noted. The Kuwaiti Constitution allowed amendments and its provisions were reconsidered after five years of implementation, and this indicates the prudence of the members of the Constituent Assembly, he noted. Therefore, we decided to dissolve the National Assembly and suspend some constitutional articles for no more than four years," His Highness the Amir explained. "During this period, all aspects of the democratic process will studied and the outcomes of the study will tabled to us for revision. We then will take whatever decisions we might deem appropriate," he added His Highness the Amir paid tribute to the founding fathers who laid the foundations of amity and fraternity among people from all walks of life, from civil servants to tradesmen, in the service of the homeland. He called on the new generation to follow the tradition of their forefathers in acting and behaving decently to restore harmony among all segment of the society. His Highness the Amir prayed for Allah, the Almighty, to help all sons of Kuwait to work for its prosperity and welfare of the dear homeland.