New Legal Framework for Charitable Work Enhances Governance and Transparency

As part of efforts to enhance governance and improve regulatory efficiency, the Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law regulating charitable and humanitarian work. It also reaffirmed its commitment to the plan for regulating grazing sites, which includes reorganizing licenses, removing encroachments on state property, and completing electronic integration among relevant authorities to strengthen oversight.

This came during the Council of Ministers’ meeting held yesterday, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister.

The Council approved the draft decree-law for issuing the Law Regulating Charitable and Humanitarian Work. The project aims to unify and regulate charitable and humanitarian activities in the State of Kuwait within a modern legal framework that enhances governance and transparency, defines the roles of concerned entities, and institutionalizes operations in the charitable and humanitarian sector.

On another note, the Council of Ministers reviewed a recommendation contained in the minutes of the Ministerial Committee for Public Services regarding grazing sites in Kuwait. The Council decided to adhere to its Decision No. (414), taken at Meeting No. (14/2026) held on April 7, 2026, which tasked the Public Authority for Agricultural Resources and Fisheries, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Kuwait Municipality, Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, and any other entities deemed appropriate, with carrying out the following:

On a separate matter, Minister of Oil Tariq Al-Sulaiman Al-Roumi informed the Council of Ministers about the details of the “Shahin” project by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The project aims to achieve financial returns from existing assets through a sale-and-leaseback model for crude oil pipelines valued at $16 billion, aligning with the corporation’s strategy up to 2040, while supporting economic diversification goals and encouraging direct investment.

The project aims to generate substantial liquidity estimated at $7.85 billion to support the five-year financing plan. It constitutes one of the pillars of the financing and capital expenditure plan, aiming to raise crude oil production capacity to 4 million barrels per day by 2035, while maintaining full ownership and operational control by Kuwait Oil Company. The project involves an alliance of major global investors in the infrastructure sector and investment institutions, led by investment funds managed by Blackstone, Brookfield, and KKR. It represents the largest foreign direct investment in the history of Kuwait and a pivotal milestone in the country’s economic development journey. It also embodies the commitment announced by the Prime Minister at the Kuwait Oil Exhibition in February 2026, aimed at attracting elite global investors to participate in developing Kuwait’s strategic infrastructure.

In this regard, the Council reviewed a visual presentation delivered by Dr. Hamad Al-Mukarrad, Chairman of the Kuwait Financial Intelligence Unit and the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, and Yusuf Al-Omar, Vice Chairman of the Kuwait Financial Intelligence Unit. The presentation outlined national efforts undertaken in light of national commitments to strengthen the system for combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons, as well as to reinforce compliance with relevant international standards.

The presentation also highlighted key achievements in legislative, regulatory, and supervisory measures, the progress made in implementing action plan pillars, and efforts to enhance coordination among relevant national authorities, ensuring the completion of technical requirements within specified timelines.

For his part, the Cabinet emphasized the importance of continuing to work with a spirit of unity, intensifying coordination and cooperation among all relevant entities, to ensure that the requirements of the first report are met comprehensively and accurately, reflecting the state’s commitment to implementing the action plan and achieving targeted results in accordance with best practices and international standards.

On another note, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Abdulaziz Al-Murrouq briefed the Cabinet on the details of the Ministry of Finance’s issuance of international sovereign bonds denominated in US dollars, with a total value of $6 billion, through three tranches in international capital markets. This achievement marks one of the most prominent sovereign financing operations in global markets this year. The Cabinet commended this issuance, which reflects the sustained confidence enjoyed by the State of Kuwait among international investors and underscores the strength of its credit standing and the robustness of its financial position.

The Council 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.

At the outset of its meeting, the Cabinet was briefed on the content of a telephone call received by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, from his brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, last week. During the call, His Highness inquired about the State of Kuwait, its leadership, and its noble people following the blatant and continuous Iranian attacks on Kuwaiti territory.

His Highness expressed Kuwait’s steadfast support for the friendly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its full backing of all measures taken to safeguard its security and stability.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the content of a call received by His Highness from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the friendly Andy Burnham, last Sunday. His Highness congratulated him on being appointed by His Majesty King Charles III, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to form a government and assume the office of Prime Minister. The call also saw a review of the historic ties between the two countries and their friendly peoples, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest and the latest developments in regional and international affairs, particularly concerning the current circumstances in the region, along with an exchange of views on these matters.

Furthermore, the Cabinet was briefed on the content of a telephone call received by His Highness from his brother, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the friendly Arab Republic of Egypt, on Tuesday. The call reviewed the close and distinguished fraternal relations between the two countries and their peoples.

The Cabinet expressed its strongest condemnation and denunciation of the heinous aggression launched by Iran and its proxies against the country, which targeted the Abdali border crossing on Thursday last week through a number of hostile drone attacks. This constituted a blatant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty, a direct threat to its security and stability, and a serious breach of the rules of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817.

He emphasized that persisting in these blatant and repeated attacks constitutes a serious escalation and a direct threat to regional security and stability, reflecting a systematic, unjustifiable, and unacceptable hostile approach. He reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s full and inherent right to self-defense, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and its right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, protect its territory and assets, and preserve its security and stability.

On another note, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah informed the Council of Ministers that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hamad Al-Mushaan, summoned the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kuwait, Mohammad Toutounji, last Tuesday. A protest note was delivered to him regarding Iran’s targeting of the Kuwaiti tanker “Kivan” while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in injuries to several crew members. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that this blatant attack occurs against the backdrop of the escalating malicious aggression launched by Iran against Kuwait since February 28, including inflammatory and provocative statements issued by the Iranian side. This constitutes a blatant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and interests, as well as a threat to international security and freedom of navigation, and a breach of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026). He reiterated Kuwait’s demand for Iran to immediately halt its unlawful attacks, emphasizing Kuwait’s reservation of the right to take necessary measures, and placing full responsibility for this aggression and Iran’s continued hostility toward Kuwait on Iran itself.

The Council of Ministers heard a briefing from Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah on the latest developments in the region and current military developments in light of the malicious Iranian attacks to which Kuwait was subjected in recent days. He affirmed the readiness of the Armed Forces and their continued performance of their duties with efficiency and competence, and their adoption of all necessary measures and precautions to safeguard Kuwait’s sovereignty and territory, preserve its security and stability, and protect citizens and residents.

The Council of Ministers expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the repeated attacks launched by the Houthi militia on ships in the Red Sea, most recently the attack on a vessel belonging to a Saudi company. This constitutes a blatant violation of international law and a direct threat to the security and freedom of maritime navigation and the integrity of international trade.

The Council of Ministers stressed the necessity of adhering to the rules of international law that guarantee freedom of navigation and safe passage in international waterways. It affirmed Kuwait’s full solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its steadfast support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty, protect its security, and defend its interests. It also emphasized Kuwait’s rejection of any practices that could destabilize the security and stability of the region.

Furthermore, the Council of Ministers expressed its strongest condemnation and rejection of the attacks that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern and Riyadh regions of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, using drones launched by militias affiliated with Iran in Iraq. This constitutes a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817. The Council reiterated Kuwait’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its security and sovereignty, emphasizing that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

On another note, the Council of Ministers expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the repeated drone attacks that targeted the fraternal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan yesterday, Tuesday, in a blatant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a direct threat to its security and stability. It reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s full solidarity with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, its steadfast support, and its backing of all measures taken to protect its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its people.

The Council of Ministers heard a briefing from Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah regarding 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, the Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the Council of Ministers of the content of the joint statement issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan last Thursday, in which they expressed their unified position condemning the heinous aggression launched by Iran and its proxies against their territories. They emphasized that these continuous attacks violate the UN Charter, international law, international humanitarian law, and Security Council Resolution (2817), as well as the explicit commitments made by Iran under the memorandum of understanding. They affirmed their inherent right to self-defense, individually or collectively, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and to take all necessary legal measures to protect their sovereignty, territories, citizens, and commercial vessels.

The Council of Ministers was informed of the details concerning the contract for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the North Kabd Water Desalination Plant and its complementary works, signed between the State of Kuwait and the friendly People’s Republic of China last Sunday, under the patronage and presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. This contract represents the second cooperation agreement between the State of Kuwait and the friendly People’s Republic of China.

This contract extends Kuwait’s desire to implement strategic projects that enhance the quality of infrastructure, promote environmental sustainability, and improve the efficiency of the wastewater treatment system, thereby keeping pace with urban growth and supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals and Kuwait’s future vision.

Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma informed the Council of Ministers, under the patronage and presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, about the ceremony honoring national team champions, both male and female, from the (2023–2024) and (2024–2025) sports seasons. Distinguished players from various Kuwaiti sports bodies, committees, federations, and clubs were honored.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the achievements of national team champions serve as a source of pride and reflect the spirit of determination and resolve demonstrated by Kuwaiti youth, as well as their outstanding efforts in representing their country and raising its name and flag at various international sporting events.

The Council of Ministers mourned the passing of the former Minister of Education, Dr. Sulaiman Saadon Al-Badr Al-Qanaai, may God have mercy on him, who passed away after a national career filled with dedication and loyalty to the service of the country and education. He made notable national and educational contributions. The Council praised the deceased’s virtues and recalled his significant services to the nation, praying to Almighty God to envelop him in His vast mercy, grant him Paradise, and inspire his family and loved ones with patience and solace.