Council of Ministers: Amend the Tenders Law to Simplify Procedures and Address Difficulties
The Cabinet held its meeting today, Wednesday, presided over by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Saud Al-Sabah. Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sharida Abdullah Al-Muwasharji, issued the following statement:
The Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the repeated, heinous Iranian attacks using hostile missiles and drones, which targeted several sites in the country, including a residential complex last week. These attacks constitute a blatant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty, a direct threat to its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents, a serious breach of international law and the UN Charter, and a clear violation of Security Council Resolution 2817. Such actions represent a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability and undermines diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.
The Cabinet reiterated Kuwait’s full right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, protect its security and interests, and defend its territory and vital installations against any aggression or threat, based on its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and international law.
On another note, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the Houthi militia’s attacks that targeted civilian and economic facilities in several cities of the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, resulting in the injury of dozens of civilians, including women and children. These attacks constitute a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, a direct threat to the security and safety of its citizens and residents, and a breach of international and international humanitarian law. They represent a serious and unjustified escalation that could undermine regional security and stability.
The Cabinet also expressed its condemnation of the Houthi militia’s continued targeting of commercial ships in the Red Sea, which poses a direct threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation, global energy supplies, and international trade. It affirmed Kuwait’s absolute solidarity with the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its steadfast support alongside the Kingdom, and its backing of all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty, protect its security, stability, and interests, and defend its people and residents. The Cabinet emphasized that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of Kuwait’s security and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
In this context, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the heinous Iranian attack on the Saudi tanker “Sadr” as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz last week, which resulted in the deaths of the tanker’s crew. This attack constitutes a blatant violation of international law and Security Council Resolution 2817, and a direct threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation and global energy supplies. The Cabinet stressed the necessity of an immediate halt to all escalatory actions and adherence to international law rules that guarantee freedom of navigation. It reaffirmed Kuwait’s rejection of any attack on the security and safety of maritime navigation and reiterated its full solidarity with the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its support alongside the Kingdom, and its backing of all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its security and interests.
Furthermore, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the heinous Iranian attacks that targeted the friendly Kingdom of Bahrain last week, which represent a blatant violation of its sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817. The Cabinet stressed the necessity of halting these escalatory practices and prioritizing de-escalation, dialogue, and adherence to international law and principles of good neighborliness, in order to preserve regional security and stability and spare the peoples of the region further tension and escalation. It affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with the friendly Kingdom of Bahrain and its support for all measures taken to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability.
Similarly, the Cabinet expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the continued heinous Iranian attacks targeting the friendly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with a number of missiles, the latest of which occurred early today, Wednesday. These attacks constitute a blatant violation of Jordan’s sovereignty and a flagrant breach of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817. The Cabinet stressed the necessity of halting these attacks and prioritizing de-escalation, dialogue, and adherence to international law, in order to preserve regional security and stability and spare the peoples of the region further tension and escalation. It affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with the friendly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its security and stability.
On another note, the Cabinet heard a briefing from Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah on the latest developments in the region and current military situations, in light of the heinous Iranian attacks suffered by Kuwait last week. The Minister emphasized the readiness of the Armed Forces and their continued performance of their duties with competence and efficiency, as well as their implementation of all necessary measures and precautions to safeguard Kuwait’s sovereignty and territory, maintain its security and stability, and protect its citizens and residents.
On another note, the Cabinet heard a briefing from 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 in the regional and international arenas.
Within this framework, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, informed the Cabinet about the substance of the meeting he held last week with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Limpho Tau, during his official visit to the country. The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields, as well as issues of mutual interest and the latest regional and international developments.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also informed the Cabinet about the substance of a telephone conversation he held with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the friendly Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Ishaq Dar. The call reviewed the cooperative relations between the two friendly countries and ways to develop them, in addition to discussing the latest regional developments and efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region.
On another note, the Cabinet approved a draft Law Decree amending some provisions of Law No. 49 of 2016 concerning Public Tenders. This decree aims to simplify procedures, address difficulties and issues arising from practical implementation, and enhance the flexibility of relevant entities in dealing with actual realities, thereby serving the interests of work and ensuring the swift, efficient, transparent, and fair execution of public tender procedures. The Cabinet forwarded the draft Law Decree amending some provisions of Law No. 49 of 2016 concerning Public Tenders to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The Cabinet reviewed a number of items on the agenda, as well as reports and minutes of ministerial committees, and approved them. It also decided to refer several items to the relevant ministerial committees for study and to submit appropriate recommendations to complete the procedures for their implementation.
