KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received the newly appointed ministers on Monday morning at Bayan Palace, where they took the constitutional oath following a cabinet reshuffle. The ceremony was held in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who presented the new ministers to the Amir.
The ministers sworn in were Osama Boodai as Minister of Commerce and Industry; Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr Reem Ghazi Al-Fulaij as Minister of State for Development and Sustainability Affairs, a new post; Dr Tareq Al-Jalahma as Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs; Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq as Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment; and Dr Yaqoub Al-Refai as Minister of Finance.
The oath-taking was attended by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah and senior officials from the Amiri Diwan.
Dr Yaqoub Al-Refai
Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq
Dr Reem Ghazi Al-Fulaij
Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah
Osama Boodai
Dr Tareq Al-Jalahma
Minister biographies
Osama Boodai, born in April 1976, holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Kuwait University. He previously served as chief executive officer of Al-Mawashi Transport and Trading Company and held senior administrative and retail management roles at the National Mobile Telecommunications Company.
Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah, born in April 1980, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from DePaul University in the United States. He has extensive diplomatic experience, having served in various posts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in overseas missions, rising through the ranks to deputy foreign minister.
Dr Reem Al-Fulaij holds degrees in medicine, health services management and genetic hematology from Kuwait University, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College London. She has served as chairperson and director general of the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition since 2023 and previously held several senior leadership and board positions. She received the GCC Civil Service and Administrative Development Medal in 2025.
Dr Tareq Al-Jalahma holds a doctorate in sports training. He previously worked as a sports consultant for Nottingham Forest in the UK and a technical analyst for beIN Sports. He is also a former football player for Al-Qadsia Sports Club and the Kuwait national team.
Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from San Jose State University and a master’s degree from London Business School. He has more than 25 years of professional experience and joined KFH Capital in 2004, rising to chief executive officer in 2006, in addition to holding several board memberships in local and regional companies.
Dr Yaqoub Al-Refai, born in December 1958, holds a doctorate in public administration from Claremont Graduate University in the United States. He previously served as director general of the Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies from 2010 to 2022 and as director general of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training between 2006 and 2010. — KUNA
