GCC speakers align green ambitions
KUWAIT CITY, Sept 27: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim attended the 15th meeting of GCC Parliament Speakers through videoconferencing on Monday.
The meeting focused on the common strategies of the GCC countries to enforce the green Middle East initiative which is aimed at addressing the negative consequences of climate change -- the common goal of GCC countries for the year 2022.
During the meeting, AlGhanim stressed the importance of this issue; while pointing out its link with the initiative adopted by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman Al-Soud titled ‘Green Saudi Arabia’ as well as the ‘Green Middle East’. He clarified that the suggestions he submitted are in line with the recent developments in the region, emphasizing the significance of such an environmental topic.
Al-Ghanim then expressed gratitude to Speaker of the Council of Representatives in Bahrain Fawzia Abdullah Zainal for her excellent management of the meetings of GCC parliaments throughout her term. He then wished President of Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia Dr Abdullah bin Muhammad AlShaikh the best for his current term.
In another development, MP Hassan Jawhar said the MPs have exerted tremendous efforts to push for the ratification of the General Amnesty Bill; but all their attempts failed due to lack of cooperation on the part of the government.
He praised the initiative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to invite all concerned parties to discuss the bill, indicating the general amnesty issue is now in the hands of His Highness the Amir.
Moreover, MP Marzouq AlKhalifa forwarded queries to Minister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah about the circular issued by Assistant Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs at the Ministry of Health regarding the exclusion of Bedoun female workers under the wage system from the privilege of reduced work hours during pregnancy and breastfeeding. He wants to know the legal basis of the circular and if the same applies to expatriate female workers under the wage system.
MP Osama Al-Shaheen asked Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Muhammad about the decisions issued by the joint committee between Kuwait and Iraq that has been tasked to address issues related to the properties of Kuwaitis in Iraq. He wants to know why the Iraqi authorities did not accredit documents submitted by Kuwaitis to prove ownership of properties in Iraq, if some Kuwaitis are among the victims in fraud crimes committed by Iraqis, and legal measures taken by the Kuwaiti government.
On the other hand, the Partners for Reformation and Construction Conference continued for the second day at the National Assembly theater on Monday; with MPs Hassan Jawhar, Mehalhal Al-Mudaf, Abdullah Al-Mudaf, Muhannad Al-Sayer, Hamad Rouhaldeen and Bader Al-Mullah in attendance.
The conference includes a workshop on finding alternative sources of national income, during which the importance of increasing rent for State properties and investing in oil industries was highlighted.