Al-Diwan Al-Amiri News

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah kicked off the opening session of the 45th Session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday.
During the opening speech, His Highness welcomed the leaders and distinguished guests, extending his sincere thanks to the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his wise leadership and efforts during the previous summit in Doha.
He added that this gathering, hosted by Kuwait, "is a testament to our unity, an embodiment of the strength of our union, and a reflection of our unwavering belief in the necessity of enhancing and unifying GCC joint action." His Highness added, "Together, we strive to broaden the scope of cooperation to meet the aspirations of our people, ensuring security, prosperity, and stability for our nations." He said, "This necessitates accelerating our efforts to achieve GCC economic integration through unified policies, diversification of non-traditional income sources, facilitation of trade and investment, and support for local industries." "It is also vital to expand innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance the competitiveness of our economies regionally and globally." "Our journey toward building an integrated Gulf economy relies on key pillars, foremost among them education," he indicated, adding, "We aim to nurture the talents of our youth, inspiring them to contribute to the integrated Gulf economy we envision." "Since the first GCC summit of Abu Dhabi in 1981, established by my late brother Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the GCC has demonstrated that through unity and solidarity, our nations can achieve prosperity for our people and ensure security," he stated He urged, "The international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to fulfill its responsibilities by ensuring the implementation of relevant resolutions, halting the violence, providing international protection for innocent civilians, and securing safe corridors for urgent humanitarian aid." "We reiterate our unwavering support to Palestine and to end the Israeli occupation, attain all their political rights, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions," he stressed.
"We also commend Qatar, Egypt, and the US for their mediation efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and welcome the ceasefire in Lebanon as a step toward de-escalation," His Highness the Amir said.
"We commend the positive steps expressed by Iran towards the GCC and look forward to resolving outstanding issues and enhancing cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter and international law," he added.
His Highness concluded, "We reaffirm our commitment to advancing joint Gulf action, meeting the aspirations of our people, and building a bright future of prosperity and stability."

The Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and the accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Sunday to participate in the 45th GCC Summit to be held later on today.
Upon arrival at the Amiri Terminal Al-Khalifa was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
He was also received by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Saud Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi and other senior officials.
Heading the honorary delegation is the Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.
The Bahraini official delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Minister of Finance and National Economy Sheikh Salman Al-Khalifa, Minister of Legal Affairs Yousef Khalaf, Minister of Health Dr. Jalela Hassan, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Hamad Al-Malki, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Amna Al-Rumaihi, Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah Fakhro and other senior officials.

The Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and the accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Sunday to partake in the 45th GCC Summit to be held later on today.
Upon arrival at Kuwait Amiri Airport, Sheikh Tamim was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
He was also received by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi and other senior officials.
Heading the honorary delegation is Chief of the Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Sheikh Mubarak Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The Qatari official delegation includes Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Khulaifi, Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmad Al-Kuwari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, and other senior officials.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Thursday received a written letter from Bahraini King Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa dealing with means of cementing the bilateral relations, regional and international issues.
The letter was handed over to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya during his reception at Kuwait International Airport of his Bahraini counterpart, Abdulatif bin Rashed Al-Zayani, today (Thursday).

The Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman and the accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Sunday to participate in the 45th GCC Summit to be held later on today.
Upon arrival at the Amiri Terminal the Saudi Crown Prince was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
He was also received by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi and other senior officials.
Heading the honorary delegation is the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Saud Al-Sabah.
The Saudi official delegation includes Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Prince Turki bin Mohammad, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaid Al-Aiban, Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan, Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser and other senior officials.

The UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and the accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait on Sunday to participate in the 45th GCC Summit to be held later on today.
Upon arrival at the Amiri Terminal Al-Nahyan was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
He was also received by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi and other senior officials.
Heading the honorary delegation is the Governor of Al-Farwaniya District Sheikh Athbi Nasser Al-Athbi Al-Sabah.
The UAE official delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohammad Al-Hussaini, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al-Mazrouei, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber, Minister of Justice Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, Minister of Investment Mohammad Al-Suwaidi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Amna Al-Dahak Al-Shamsi, Minister of State Khalifa Al-Marar and other senior officials.

The Sultanate of Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyed Fahad bin Mahmoud Al-Said and his accompanying delegation arrived to Kuwait on Sunday to attend the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.
Upon arrival at Kuwait Amiri Airport, Al-Said was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
He was also received by the Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Mubarak Al-Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi and other senior officials.
The honorary mission accompanying Al-Said was formed under the Governor of Al-Assima District Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah.
The Omani official delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyed Bader Al-Busaidi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Saeedi, Minister of Economy Dr. Said Al-Saqari, and other Omani senior officials.

Amiri decree 114/2024 concerning the residency of foreigners was issued on Thursday containing 36 articles of seven chapters.
The previous decree 17/1959 had been in effect for six decades and required reforms to close the gaps in the law in addition to addressing the concurrent legislative challenges.
The first chapter of the residency dealt with the entry of foreigners into Kuwait, indicating that foreigners must have in their possessing a valid passport or document from the authorities of their country to enter and leave the country.
GCC citizens were exempted from needing a valid passport to enter and leave Kuwait, saying that personal identification cards would suffice in accordance with Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior regulations and agreements with respective states.
Foreigners must enter and leave Kuwait through ports specified by Kuwait's Ministry, one of the articles of chapter one stressed.
Chapter two of the law is concerned with notifying competent authorities of foreigners born in Kuwait, saying that residents must provide the passport or travel documentation to attain residency papers or a leave deadline with the whole process given a period of four months from birth.
Chapter three is connected with rules and regulations of foreigners residence, saying that residents, eager to reside in Kuwait, must obtain residency permits from the Interior Ministry.
One of the articles allowed Kuwaitis to request residency permits for their non-Kuwait wives and husbands, children. In case of a Kuwaiti women, the residency paper would not be given if they obtain citizenship according to article eight of the Amiri Decree 15/1959 from their previous marriage to a Kuwaiti citizen.
Non-Kuwaiti women, previously married or widowed to Kuwaiti citizens, have the right to ask for residency if they had children from a Kuwaiti national.
Foreigners who are in Kuwait on a visit visa must leave the country within a period that did not exceed three months unless they have obtained a residency permit from the Interior Ministry.
Another article of the reformed law was on domestic workers and their likes, which insisted that employers must notify the Interior Ministry of helpers' absence within two weeks.
Transferring residencies of domestic workers was also touched on. If a helper left the country and stay over fourth months without prior approval of the authorities, this residency permit would be annual by the Interior Ministry.
The chapter also included an article on regular foreign residency, which did not exceed five years. A ten-year permit could be given to children of Kuwaiti female nationals, real-estate owners, or categories assigned by the Interior Ministry.
Chapter four included penalties against residency trafficking and related crimes, which the State of Kuwait strongly prohibits against and set some harsh rules and regulations against such crimes.
Chapter five contains provisions relating to the rules for the deportation and eviction of foreigners, one of its articles empowers the Minister of Interior to issue a deportation order of any foreigner even if they hold a valid residence permit, in the cases provided for in the articles of the Act.
One of its articles states that a foreigner whose deportation order has been issued can be detained for a period not exceeding 30 days, and is renewable if such detention is necessary, since there are some who have obstacles preventing them from leaving the country.
Another article obliges the breadwinner or employer to bear the expenses of deporting or removing a foreigner from Kuwait, and anyone who employs, resides or harbors a foreigner to bear all the expenses of his deportation or expulsion. Chapter six contains penalties for violating this law One of its articles states that the Public Prosecution has exclusive jurisdiction to investigate, act, and prosecute crimes resulted from residence trafficking.
An article of this chapter also stipulates the cases in which reconciliation with the accused may be made if he violates some of the provisions of this law or the regulations and decisions implementing and the basis for reconciliation.
Chapter seven is about General provisions.
One of its articles specifies those who are excluded from this law, heads of State and their families, heads and employees of diplomatic missions and their families, on condition of reciprocity, holders of diplomatic and political passports, on condition of reciprocity, and those whom the Minister of Interior deems an exception with special permission for considerations related to international courtesies.
Article (34) stipulates that the regulations and executive decisions issued under Amiri Decree No. 17 of 1959 shall continue to operate until the necessary regulations and decisions are issued for its implementation by the Minister of Interior within six months from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Article (35) refers to the repeal of the aforementioned Amiri Decree No. 17 of 1959, and any provisions contrary to this law.
Article (36) mandates the ministers, in their own capacity, to implement this law and refer to its publication in the Official Gazette.