KUWAIT: During its weekly meeting on Wednesday, the Cabinet tasked the Ministry of Public Works to step up its efforts to implement the Gulf railway and rapid transports projects. The Cabinet met at Bayan Palace, chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.
Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sharida Abdullah Al-Maousherji, briefed the press. She said the Cabinet began by reviewing messages addressed to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, from heads of brotherly and friendly countries, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance joint cooperation in various fields.
The Cabinet commended the Amir’s speech at the opening session of the 46th Ordinary Session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held last Wednesday in Bahrain. His Highness highlighted the GCC’s resilience amid complex regional and international challenges and stressed that unity and collaboration are essential to achieving peace and stability. The speech also underscored Kuwait’s pivotal role in facilitating initiatives aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships within the GCC and its continued cooperation with Iraq, including the completion of maritime boundary demarcation beyond marker 162 in accordance with international law.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya briefed the Cabinet on the final communiqué of the 46th GCC Supreme Council session. The communiqué emphasized the indivisibility of GCC security, reaffirmed the commitment to unity and coordination, and welcomed Kuwait’s hosting of the Third Arab-Chinese Summit in 2030. It also praised Kuwait’s successful hosting of the first Gulf Conference on the Future of Judicial, Legal, and Legislative Cooperation and congratulated the country on being named Capital of Arab Culture and Media for 2025.
On the digital services front, Minister of State for Communications Omar Saud Al-Omar informed the Cabinet that the unified government application (Sahel) was honored by the League of Arab States as part of the Arab Government Excellence Award for Best Outstanding Initiative in Communications Services. The Cabinet praised the achievement, highlighting the collaborative efforts of over 42 government entities and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital transformation to enhance government services for citizens and residents.
Minister of Justice Nasser Yousef Al-Sumait reported that the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) received the Arab Government Excellence Award for its “Strategy for Promoting Integrity and Combating Corruption.” The Cabinet expressed gratitude to Nazaha officials for their contributions and reiterated support for all efforts to protect public funds and strengthen government accountability.
The Cabinet reviewed the Ministerial Committee for Public Services’ report on the Kuwait-GCC railway project. Phase 1, including preliminary designs for passenger, freight, maintenance, and transit stations, has been completed. The Ministry of Public Works was tasked with continuing project implementation and providing quarterly updates on progress, timelines, and recommendations.
The Cabinet also discussed the Cultural Trail project in Kuwait City, designed to connect 66 historical and cultural landmarks over an 11-kilometer urban trail from the Peace Palace Museum to Al Shaheed Park. The Ministry of Information was directed to coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure project execution and report quarterly on its progress. In addition, the Cabinet approved the minutes of the Higher Committee for Kuwaiti Citizenship Verification, covering cases of loss and withdrawal of citizenship under Law No. 15 of 1959 and its amendments. Several other agenda items were approved, while certain matters were referred to relevant ministerial committees for further study and report preparation. – KUNA
