Cabinet Holds Meeting Chaired by HH Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Kuwait – The Cabinet held its meeting today, Tuesday, October 27, 2026, presided over by His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, may God protect him. Following the meeting, His Excellency Sheikh Sharida Abdullah Al-Muwasharji, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, issued the following statement:

At the outset of its meeting, the Cabinet was briefed on the details of the reception hosted by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect him and guard him, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, may God protect him, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, may God protect him, for the visit of the Prime Minister of the friendly Republic of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and her accompanying delegation, on the occasion of her official visit to the country last Friday. During the reception, the strong bilateral relations between the State of Kuwait and the friendly Republic of Italy were reviewed, highlighting their continuous development across various fields, alongside discussions on ways to enhance, develop, and expand the scope of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries, particularly in economic and defense sectors, in a manner that serves their mutual interests. Several issues and topics of common interest were also discussed, along with the latest developments and updates on the regional and international scenes.

This visit was crowned with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in promoting direct investment between the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority and the Italian Trade Agency, as well as a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation in the fields of consultation and training between the Kuwait National Guard and the Italian Carabinieri (Gendarmerie) under the Italian Ministry of Defense. Additionally, a letter of intent was signed between the Kuwait Ministry of Defense and Leonardo S.p.A. regarding the development of defense capabilities and industrial cooperation.

On another note, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the continued terrorist attacks launched by the Houthi militia over the past days against several areas in the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including attempts to target Mecca and Medina with two ballistic missiles, as well as the blatant attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which resulted in the death of two people and injured others. The Cabinet emphasized that these cowardly and disgraceful attacks constitute a blatant violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites, a disregard for their religious significance, an affront to the feelings of Muslims, a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a flagrant breach of international law and international humanitarian law. It stressed that the continued targeting of civilian airports and vital facilities represents a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to civilian lives and the safety of air navigation, necessitating a firm international stance to halt these attacks and hold those responsible accountable. The Cabinet reiterated Kuwait’s absolute solidarity with the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and the protection of the Two Holy Mosques, preserving their sanctity. It affirmed that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of the State of Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

On another note, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the terrorist attack that targeted a church in Al-Karak Governorate in the friendly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan last Friday, which resulted in several deaths and injuries. It reiterated its firm rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism targeting places of worship and terrorizing the peaceful. The Cabinet affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with the friendly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its standing by its side in all measures taken to preserve its security and stability.

On another note, the Cabinet heard a briefing from His Excellency the Minister of Defense, Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah, regarding his participation in the opening ceremony of the memorial to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, which was held last Saturday in Washington, D.C., in the presence of Her Excellency Sheikh Al-Zain Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States. The memorial commemorates the nation’s resilience and the people’s sacrifices, and underscores the values of friendship, alliance, and peace for future generations. It honors the efforts and sacrifices of the U.S. and coalition forces that participated in Kuwait’s liberation war in 1991, and recalls the role of the United States in leading an exceptional international coalition comprising more than 30 countries, whose forces joined the Kuwaiti Armed Forces in defending Kuwait’s sovereignty and its people’s right to freedom.

In a separate development, the Cabinet heard a briefing from His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on the political and diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad to keep pace with the latest developments on the regional and international scenes. In this context, His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the Cabinet about the substance of the telephone calls he held and received over the past days with his counterparts, the foreign ministers of several sister and friendly countries. These calls reviewed the bilateral relations linking Kuwait with those countries, as well as discussed the latest regional and international developments, within the framework of continuous coordination and consultation between Kuwait and those countries.

On another note, Her Excellency the Minister of Public Works, Dr. Noura Mohammed Al-Mashaan, informed the Cabinet about laying the foundation stone last Monday for the project to study, design, construct, operate, and maintain the North Kabd Water Reclamation Plant, which serves as a complementary facility. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Yang Xin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kuwait, along with several senior officials from the ministry and representatives of the Chinese company executing the project. Her Excellency emphasized that this project implements the high directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and safeguard him; His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, may God protect him; and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister, may God protect him, who place great emphasis and care on infrastructure and sustainable development projects, in pursuit of realizing the aspirations of the nation’s citizens for a better future. She noted that this project is among the major strategic initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works to develop the country’s wastewater management system in line with development plans and to enhance environmental sustainability.

On another note, the Cabinet reviewed a visual presentation delivered by the Minister of Public Works, Dr. Noura Mohammed Al-Mashaan, on the latest developments and the implementation status regarding contracts for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the main highway network, cleaning of the stormwater drainage network, lane planning, and installation of traffic signs on those roads, as well as the contract for the development of the road and infrastructure network at the new Kuwait International Airport (T2). It also covered contracts for the comprehensive maintenance of internal streets across all governorates and regions of the State of Kuwait. The Minister emphasized the Ministry of Public Works’ commitment to intensifying monitoring, follow-up, and on-site supervision of companies executing these projects to stay abreast of the latest developments, verify completion rates, and assess the actual progress of these projects, ensuring that companies adhere to quality standards in accordance with the highest approved technical specifications.

For his part, the Cabinet stressed the importance of implementing these projects in accordance with the specified timeline to accelerate progress and enhance maintenance standards, thereby ensuring the safety of road users and reducing congestion and traffic jams on main highways and internal streets in various regions of the State of Kuwait, while guaranteeing smooth traffic flow across the country.

On another note, the Cabinet approved a draft law regarding the Unified Excise Tax Agreement for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and its amendment protocol, and forwarded it to His Highness the Amir of the State, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and guard him.

Additionally, the Cabinet reviewed the minutes of the meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Public Services, which included several items, the most prominent being a report by the Green Urban Development Initiatives Committee on initiatives submitted by several state-owned oil sector companies, private sector firms, cooperative societies, and individuals. These initiatives relate to ornamental landscaping and greening of several main streets, certain sites and squares across the country, public parks in some residential areas, and painting several major bridges in various governorates of the State of Kuwait. The Cabinet approved these initiatives, expressing its gratitude and appreciation for their contribution to supporting the state’s efforts in developing ornamental landscaping in Kuwait and highlighting its civilized character. It commended the efforts of the Minister of Ahmadi Governorate and Chairman of the Green Urban Development Initiatives Committee, Sheikh Hamoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, along with the committee members, in fostering a spirit of initiative and social responsibility, and encouraging entities and individuals to contribute to beautifying and greening public spaces, creating a suitable urban environment, and achieving sustainable development.

The Cabinet also reviewed several agenda items, reports, and ministerial committee minutes, approving them. It also decided to refer some of them to the relevant ministerial committees for study and to submit appropriate recommendations to complete the procedures for their implementation. (End) A.M.H.