Cabinet Approves Amendment to the Public Tenders Law

The Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law amending certain provisions of Law No. 49 of 2016 concerning public tenders. This amendment aims to simplify procedures, address difficulties and issues arising from practical implementation, and enhance the flexibility of relevant authorities in dealing with actual circumstances, thereby serving the interests of public service and ensuring that public tender procedures are executed swiftly, efficiently, transparently, and fairly.

The Council of Ministers expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the repeated, heinous Iranian attacks using missiles and hostile drones targeting several sites in the country, including a residential complex last week. These attacks constitute a blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty, a direct threat to its security and stability, and a danger to the safety of its citizens and residents. They also represent a serious breach of international law and the UN Charter, a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability, undermining diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation. The Council 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 Council of Ministers expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the Houthi militia’s attacks targeting civilian and economic assets in several cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a fraternal ally. These attacks resulted in injuries to dozens of civilians, including women and children, in a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and a direct threat to the security and safety of its citizens and residents. They also constitute a breach of international law and international humanitarian law, and an unjustified, dangerous escalation that undermines regional security and stability. The Council further condemned 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 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its steadfast support, and its backing of all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty, preserve its security and stability, protect its interests, and shield its people and residents. The Council emphasized that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of the security of Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

In this context, the Council of Ministers expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the heinous Iranian attack on the Saudi tanker “Sadr” as it transited the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the deaths of the tanker’s crew last week. This attack constitutes a blatant violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and a direct threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation and global energy supplies. The Council stressed the urgent need for 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 Kuwait’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its steadfast support, and its backing of all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its security and interests.

The Council of Ministers also expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the reprehensible Iranian attacks that targeted the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain last week, which constitute a blatant violation of its sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817. It 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 safeguard the region’s security and stability and spare its peoples further tension and escalation. It reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain and its support for all measures taken to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability.

Likewise, the Council of Ministers expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the continued reprehensible Iranian attacks targeting the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with a number of missiles, the latest of which occurred early Wednesday morning. 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. It stressed the necessity of stopping these attacks and prioritizing de-escalation, dialogue, and adherence to international law, in order to safeguard the region’s security and stability and spare its peoples further tension and escalation. It reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s full solidarity with the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its support for all measures taken to uphold its sovereignty and preserve its security and stability.

On another note, the Council of Ministers heard a briefing from Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah on the latest developments in the region and current military developments in light of the reprehensible Iranian attacks that targeted the State of Kuwait last week. He affirmed the readiness of the Armed Forces and their continued performance of their duties and responsibilities with efficiency and competence, as well as 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.

In a separate development, the Council of Ministers 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 on the regional and international fronts.

Within this framework, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah informed the Council of Ministers of the substance of the meeting he held last week with Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Limpho Tao, during his official visit to the country. The meeting discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields, as well as issues of mutual interest and the latest regional and international developments.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also informed the Council of Ministers of the substance of a telephone conversation he held with Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The call reviewed cooperation 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.

The Council of Ministers 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 necessary procedures for their implementation.