Amir urges further caution, vigilance to defeat challenges
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday called for further caution and vigilance against endeavors targeting the nation’s unity. His Highness the Amir inaugurated yesterday the first regular session of the National Assembly’s 15th Legislative Term.
Addressing the parliament session, His Highness the Amir referred to the surrounding hazards, which he has repeatedly warned against, and the colossal challenges that hinder the efforts aiming to protect the nation and its security and stability, satisfy citizens and maintain their dignity, as well as securing a dignified future for them and the future generations.
Growing challenges
His Highness the Amir said it is worrying that the dangers have been escalating, and the challenges are growing, as “brutal terrorism has found its way to our peaceful and safe nation, seeking to ignite sedition and break the national unity”. His Highness the Amir highlighted the remarkable efforts and the “watchful eyes” that have preserved the nation’s security and have not allowed more terror crimes to take place.
However, caution and vigilance remain a public national duty, His Highness the Amir said, urging “citizens, my brothers and my sons” to assume their responsibility, namely rejecting the heinous attempts for and disunity.” His Highness the Amir pointed to the huge decrease of state revenues resulting from the sharp falls of oil prices that have caused a considerable deficit in the budget, as another significant challenge. It is inevitable to initiate effective measures to remedy the deficit and alleviate its effects, His Highness the Amir said.
Inevitable change
His Highness the Amir voiced confidence that the venerable assembly realizes that reducing expenditure has come to be “inevitable” through well-studied arrangements to fix the imbalance of the state budget and to curb wasting and depletion of national resources, directing them toward their correct goals. In the meantime, His Highness the Amir stressed keenness on easing the burden on people with limited income, and caring for social justice through regular review of these measures, amending them in line with the state revenues.
This will be a part of a comprehensive economic reform program, in which the private sector plays a vital and effective role. All parties will be committed to the program, and the government will provide its tools and operational and timing details, His Highness the Amir said. Citizens will be apprised of their role in the program, and what it can achieve for them and the future generations, with their positive participation and the responsibilities they will have to assume. His Highness the Amir stressed that he is confident that Kuwaitis’ love and allegiance to the nation, and their readiness for sacrifice, are by no means less than their ancestors.
His Highness the Amir underscored the significance of identifying state priorities, amid the current regional and international conditions, fateful risks and the potential and unthinkable sudden developments, in light of the fact that million becoming homeless, and the ongoing plans of tampering and sabotage.
All have to realize that this is no time for political luxury, or making gains at the expense of Kuwait’s higher interests, His Highness the Amir said. “If it is our destiny to bear national responsibility amidst the critical conditions the region is experiencing, we remain on our fixed constants on dealing with our (regional) sphere and the world, with the Arab and Islamic dimensions of these (consonants), as well as their regional and international frameworks,” His Highness the Amir said. This will proceed with commitment to the usual moderate approach for the progress and good of humanity.
GCC unity
Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir said that it is high time for a new phase of ties among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which rises to the level of the challenges, and that embodies the common goals and destiny of the “brothers.” This new phase will also see enhancing the GCC unity to achieve comprehensive development for the people and to maintain the sovereignty, security and stability of the member states.
His Highness the Amir expressed great pleasure over the recent visit by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and an accompanying delegation, to Kuwait, which reflected the deep-rooted, time-tested bilateral ties, on the level of the leadership and the people.
His Highness the Amir recalled with high appreciation the historical role that Saudi Arabia has been playing in support of Kuwait’s rights, reiterating the remarkable role by King Salman to consolidate the GCC march to reinforce security, peace, prosperity in the region.
His Highness the Amir told the first session of the parliament’s 15th Legislative Term that sustainable development would remain a chief goal for the present and the future, as it is the “everlasting challenge that determines the fate of the society and the nation.”
The fact that issues of security and the economic and financial reform as well as the unrelenting confrontation against corruption, does not at all mean overlooking the ills the nation is suffering from or the chronic diseases weakening the society, His Highness the Amir said. This prompts drawing up well-studied longterm scientific plans to overcome the ills and diseases, and to save the nation and the society from their vicious impact.
Such plans will have to be capped with paying more attention and showing further care to youth, listening to them, bringing them up on moderation, immunizing them against extremism and deviant thinking, educating them on how to accept others’ views and enhancing their spirit of cooperation and collective work, His Highness the Amir pointed out.
Creating jobs
His Highness the Amir called for opening the doors of the future wide for youth, as well as creating new job opportunities for the dozens of thousands of them who join the labor market annually. His Highness the Amir also stressed the need to improve public services, health, housing and the infrastructure, and above all reviewing and modernizing school curricula and teaching methods to cope with the developments worldwide.
Earlier in the speech, His Highness the Amir congratulated the new MPs for gaining the confidence of the Kuwaiti people, voicing satisfaction with the outcome of the November 26 elections that brought into the parliament young ambitious lawmakers who prompt feelings of hope and optimism and consolidate the energy to “build our dear nation.”
His Highness the Amir highlighted the constructive role by the media, both official and private, which highlighted the democratic practice and encourages people to fulfill their national duty. His Highness the Amir told the MPs that the Kuwaiti people have put their trust in them, urging the legislators to been eager not to break the trust and to rise to the level of people’s confidence. His Highness the Amir urged the MPs to hold Kuwait’s interests above all other personal family, sectorial, tribal and class considerations.
Concluding his speech, His Highness the Amir emphasized confidence that Kuwait, which has overcome tribulations and hardships through history, will be able to counter all challenges and dangers, with help of Allah, and its loyal people.