Amir hosts sports officials, affirms non-stop support
Amir affirms non-stop support for athletes
KUWAIT: President of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak has extoled His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s leading role on the regional scene, especially in mediation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) row. In a press statement after a meeting with His Highness the Amir yesterday, Lajcak said that they had discussed several issues, among them the situation in the region. He highly appreciated Kuwait’s regional role, and His Highness the Amir “personally in trying to mediate among the GCC countries.”
“It was very inspirational for me to hear from His Highness the Amir how he sees situation in the region,” he stressed. Kuwait is “well known for its very balanced moderate approach to regional conflicts,” he added.
He congratulated Kuwait on being elected as a nonpermanent member in the UN Security Council for two years period, as of January 2018. He said that he is looking forward to working “even more closely” with Kuwait during the two years.
Lajcak noted he was “very pleased and grateful for the opportunity” to meet His Highness the Amir, adding that they had reviewed the role Kuwait plays at the UN, which he emphasized as “very positive and constructive.”
In addition, he pointed to Kuwait’s major philanthropic role on the regional and global levels, saying the country is “highly regarded for its humanitarian and generous assistance.” He underscored Kuwait’s role at the UN as a country keen on implementing the priorities of the international organization and the UNGA, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs).
Lajcak and His Highness the Amir also addressed preparations for the Global Compact for Migration. Negotiations on the Compact are due to begin in February, and an agreement must be in place in July so that it will be adopted in December. The UN senior official reiterated Kuwait’s experience and deep knowledge on how to deal with issues related to migration and migrant workers. “I am absolutely confident that Kuwait will play a very constructive role in these discussions,” he concluded.
Lajcak and his accompanying delegation were escorted to their meeting with His Highness the Amir by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir also received Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Mohammed Barkindo on the occasion of his visit to the country. The receptions were attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah AlSabah and Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water Bakheet Al-Rashidi. His Highness the Amir also met with His Highness Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Amir meets OPEC Secretary General
Non-stop support
In other news, His Highness the Amir received Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled Nasser Al-Roudhan, senior officials of the Public Authority for Sport, Chairman of Kuwait Football Association Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah and chairmen of sports clubs. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah attended the meeting. His Highness the Amir affirmed that he will continue to devote special concern for the athletes, hailing anew well-prepared organization of the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup Tournament, recently hosted by Kuwait.
The audience was attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. Speaking during the meeting, Minister Roudhan expressed on behalf of the sports community deep gratitude to His Highness the Amir for his continuing support for the Kuwaiti sports, noting that such backing has recently led to lifting the FIFA ban on the national soccer sector and the hosting of the successful Gulf Cup games.
He also spoke highly of His Highness the Crown Prince backing for the sector, noting that the participating GCC teams were impressed with the Kuwaiti clubs’ role in organizing the tournament. Sheikh Ahmad AlYousef manifested identical sentiments, noting that His Highness the Amir’s patronization of the GCC championship and Sheikh Nawaf’s attendance of its inauguration constituted main causes for its success.
New officials
Separately, Roudhan presented to His Highness the Amir Director General of the Public Authority for Sport (PAS) Dr Humoud Fulaiteh Al-Shimmari, Director General of the Public Authority for Industry Dr Abdulkarim Youssef Taqi, Commerce and Industry Undersecretary Khaled Ali Al-Fadhel and Deputy Director General for Maintenance and Constructions’ Affairs at PAS Sheikh Humoud Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; all on the occasion of assigning them to their new posts. His Highness Sheikh Nawaf and Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah were also present in the meeting. Roudhan later introduced the new officials to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
Also yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince met with Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad, in addition to Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber AlAhmad Al-Sabah and Kuwait’s Ambassador to Italy Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, His Highness the Prime Minister received former US Ambassador to the country Edward Gnehm. The reception was attended by Director of His Highness the Premier’s Diwan Sheikha Etimad Khaled Al-Ahmad AlSabah. His Highness the Prime Minister also received Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority General Director and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Streamlining Business Environment in Kuwait, Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and commission’s members.