Council of Ministers: Integrated Efforts to Implement National Priorities and Support State Initiatives

The Council of Ministers emphasized the importance of continuing coordination among government entities and integrating efforts to implement national priorities and support state initiatives, thereby contributing to enhancing the efficiency of government procedures and strengthening Kuwait’s competitiveness in international and global indices and reports.

At the outset of its meeting, the Council of Ministers was briefed on the outcomes of the official visit by His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron, President of the friendly French Republic, and the accompanying official delegation to the State of Kuwait on Monday last, as well as the substance of the official talks between the State of Kuwait and the friendly French Republic. His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, chaired the Kuwaiti side, while President Emmanuel Macron chaired the French side. The meeting was attended by His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister, and a number of senior officials from both countries. During the talks, the parties reviewed the solid trajectory of bilateral relations between the two countries and their friendly peoples, and discussed ways to support and strengthen these relations across various fields, expanding cooperation frameworks between Kuwait and France toward broader horizons, particularly in economic, commercial, and investment sectors. They also explored means to enhance their partnership in ways that serve their mutual interests. Additionally, they discussed recent developments on the regional and international scenes, particularly regarding evolving situations in the region, and exchanged views on these matters.

The official visit culminated in the signing of letters of intent, declarations of intent, and memoranda of understanding across various fields between the two countries. The signing ceremonies were held in the presence of His Highness the Amir, the French President, His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Prime Minister. The signed documents included:

1. A letter of intent on defense cooperation between the Kuwait Ministry of Defense and the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans.

6. A declaration of intent between the Public Authority for Investment in Kuwait and Airbus regarding strategic cooperation in the aviation sector.

7. A joint declaration of intent between the Kuwait Public Authority for Investment, the Kuwait Ministry of Health, and the Gustave Roussy Institute.

During this official visit, His Highness the Amir conferred upon the French President the “Mubarak Al-Kabeer” Order, as a token of appreciation and gratitude from the Kuwaiti people and to reinforce and strengthen the good relations between the friendly French Republic and the State of Kuwait. In turn, the French President conferred upon His Highness the Amir the Grand Cross of the French Legion of Honor, the highest national French decoration at its highest class, in recognition of His Highness’s prominent role, may God protect and guard him, in expanding cooperation horizons and strengthening relations between the State of Kuwait and the friendly French Republic across all fronts.

On another note, the Council of Ministers was briefed on the substance of the meeting between His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Vice Admiral Kurt Renux, Commander of the U.S. Central Command, Fifth Fleet, and Joint Forces, which took place on Sunday last in the presence of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Saud, and Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Head of the Diwan of the Crown Prince, on the occasion of the Vice Admiral’s visit to the country.

In this context, the Cabinet was briefed on the substance of the meeting held last Sunday between the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Saud Al-Sabah, and Vice Admiral Kurt Renshaw, Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet, during his visit to the country. The meeting discussed areas of cooperation and coordination between Kuwait and the United States, as well as ways to strengthen the close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. Emphasis was placed on continuing the exchange of expertise to serve mutual interests and contribute to supporting security and stability in the region, along with discussing several topics of common interest.

On another note, the Cabinet expressed Kuwait’s solidarity and sympathy with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the crash of a helicopter belonging to the National Guard Ministry in the Najran region, which resulted in the martyrdom of its air crew consisting of two officers. The Cabinet conveyed its deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the families of the martyrs, praying to Almighty God to have mercy on them and to grant their families patience and solace.

The Cabinet also expressed Kuwait’s welcome of the Presidential Statement issued by the UN Security Council regarding the ongoing attacks launched by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, condemning these attacks that target civilians, civilian objects, and vital installations, and threaten navigation security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. It reaffirmed Kuwait’s support for the positions contained in the statement, particularly the affirmation of the Kingdom’s right to self-defense in accordance with international law, and the need for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015), preventing the flow of weapons, financing, and other forms of military support to the Houthi militia. It reiterated Kuwait’s absolute solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its full support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its security and stability, emphasizing that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of Kuwait’s security and the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

On another note, the Cabinet expressed Kuwait’s pride in its election to the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2027–2029, following the elections held by the UN General Assembly on October 13, 2026, in New York. This reflects the international community’s confidence in Kuwait and its appreciation of its role and contributions at both the regional and international levels. The Cabinet conveyed its sincere thanks and appreciation to the friendly and sister countries that supported Kuwait’s candidacy, emphasizing that this confidence serves as an incentive to continue its contributions within the framework of multilateral international action. It stressed that this election is a continuation of Kuwait’s firm approach of respecting the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, its commitment to promoting human rights, and its constructive engagement with related issues, free from selectivity, politicization, and double standards. It affirmed that Kuwait’s membership for the term 2027–2029 represents a continuation of its efforts during its current term (2024–2026) and an opportunity to continue its active and balanced role in enhancing the work of the Human Rights Council and consolidating the principles of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect.

On another note, the Cabinet heard a briefing from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet 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 stages.

In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, informed the Cabinet of the outcomes of the 168th session of the GCC Ministerial Council, which was held last Sunday in the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain. He noted that the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the meeting was chaired by him, and explained that the meeting discussed ways to enhance the momentum of joint GCC action to achieve greater integration among member states across various fields. It also addressed current regional developments and their repercussions on regional and international levels, emphasizing the importance of continuing GCC coordination across all fronts amidst the delicate circumstances facing the region, based on shared destiny and history, and to bolster efforts to confront existing challenges.

On another note, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of the Ninth Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Russian Federation, held last Sunday in the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, where he chaired the Kuwaiti delegation. The foreign ministers of the GCC states and the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, affirmed the strength of the relationship and the historical friendship ties between the GCC and the Russian Federation. The meeting discussed ways to enhance Gulf-Russian relations and expand cooperation into broader and more comprehensive horizons that serve mutual interests. Additionally, regional and international issues and current developments in the region and their repercussions were discussed, along with frameworks to intensify coordination between GCC member states and the Russian Federation regarding various challenges facing the region and the world, and to advance efforts toward peacebuilding.

In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, informed the Cabinet of the substance of his meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, held on the sidelines of the Ninth Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation, which took place last Sunday in the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting reviewed the historical bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields, as well as discussing current regional developments and their repercussions on regional and international levels.

On another note, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, briefed the Cabinet on the substance of phone calls he made and received over the past few days with several foreign ministers of sister countries. These calls discussed the latest developments on regional and international stages and emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and consultation between Kuwait and those sister countries to support and enhance joint efforts to achieve security and stability in the region.

On another note, the Cabinet reviewed a visual presentation delivered by State Minister for Development and Sustainability Dr. Reem Ghazi Al-Faleh, attended by Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs Nouf Al-Bahbahani, regarding periodic reports on waste management and utilization methods. She explained that, pursuant to the Cabinet’s decision entrusting the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs to coordinate with the Ministry of Health, Kuwait Municipality, the Public Authority for Industry, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, and the Office of Fatwa and Legislation, to study the jurisdictions of relevant government entities concerning the disposal and treatment of all types of waste from legal and technical perspectives, and to develop frameworks that would regulate existing arrangements, define each entity’s role in waste classification, assess hazard levels, establish handling requirements and oversight mechanisms, and prepare appropriate frameworks to facilitate operations and eliminate any overlaps among government entities in this regard, with the aim of preserving the environment, reducing pollution, and continuously developing procedures in line with the latest international best practices most suitable for the nature of the State of Kuwait and its needs.

The Cabinet also reviewed a visual presentation delivered by the Direct Investment Promotion Authority regarding the latest developments of the Standing Committee for Improving and Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Business Environment in the State of Kuwait, as well as the most recent updates and developments of the Business Environment Improvement Program.

In this regard, the Cabinet listened to an explanation provided by the Director General of the Direct Investment Promotion Authority and Chairman of the Standing Committee for Improving and Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Business Environment in the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Dr. Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on the achievements accomplished within the framework of the Committee’s work, the coordination steps and measures taken among relevant government entities concerning business environment improvement, and the efforts and initiatives related to enhancing the competitiveness of the business environment in the State of Kuwait.

The Cabinet reviewed several items on the agenda, along with 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.