Kuwait: National Assembly to Grill Finance Minister

File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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Kuwait: National Assembly to Grill Finance Minister

File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
File image used for illustrative purpose. Kuwait parliament meets in Kuwait City. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee

A motion filed by Kuwaiti lawmakers Riyad al-Adasani and Bader al-Mulla to grill Finance Minister Nayef al-Hajraf will be placed on the agenda of a parliamentary session on June 11, announced Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Issa al-Kanderi.

Kanderi told reporters Tuesday that after receiving the deputies’ request, he followed all the procedural measures to inform Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah and the minister in question.

Adasani and Mulla filed the motion to grill the Finance Minister on five major issues - lack of control over budget which prevented reforms and closing accounts, adopting unwise investment policies and harming the rights of pensioners through the mismanagement of social security funds.

In addition, they want to question the Minister on mismanagement of Kuwait Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, which has suffered losses of billions of dollars, and his refusal to answer previous questions by Adasani and Mulla. 

Hajraf asserted last week that he was informed of the grilling by the deputy Speaker, adding that the questioning is an essential constitutional right for lawmakers.

"I'm not afraid of anything concerning the interpellation motion as we enjoy freedom,” he said.

He stressed that he will fully cooperate with the MPs. 



Riyadh to Host Second Human Capability Initiative Conference on Sunday

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
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Riyadh to Host Second Human Capability Initiative Conference on Sunday

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)

Under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee—a key initiative in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—the second edition of the Human Capability Initiative Conference will open in Riyadh on Sunday.

The two-day conference, themed "Beyond Readiness," underscores the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to investing in human capital as a cornerstone of national development and future progress, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

Organized by the Human Capability Development Program, this premier global platform will bring together more than 300 distinguished speakers, including influential leaders, policymakers, and global experts from academia, the private sector, and non-profit organizations, for over 100 panel discussions.

The second edition will emphasize the vital role of unlocking potential to advance human capabilities through the strategic application of cutting-edge technologies. The goal is to cultivate an educational ecosystem that promotes lifelong learning and empowers individuals and communities to adapt effectively to rapid transformation.

Furthermore, the conference will highlight the importance of embedding values that underpin growth and development, contributing to the formation of interconnected societies capable of addressing both local and global challenges. A key focus will be on forging partnerships and creating opportunities that amplify the role of individuals in devising sustainable solutions for a brighter future.

Building on the success of its first edition, the conference further solidifies the Kingdom's efforts in human capability development and makes a significant contribution to the global discourse on the future of human potential in an era of rapid change.