Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council Holds First Meeting on Sunday

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)
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Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council Holds First Meeting on Sunday

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad, in Riyadh last Tuesday (SPA)

The Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council will hold its first meeting on Sunday to reflect the strength of relations between the two states and bring them closer to improved integration that fulfills shared ambitions on security, prosperity, and happiness.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had jointly issued directives for launching the Council’s first session.

Established in July 2018, the Council aims to develop a joint vision that deepens and sustains relations between the two countries.

It operates in line with the objectives of the Gulf Cooperation Council and works to enhance inter-state economic integration, find innovative solutions for optimal utilization of existing resources, and build an effective educational system.

This relies on shared strengths, enhancing cooperation in political, security, and military fields, ensuring good collaboration and partnership, and highlighting the two countries’ economic standing, human development, political and security-military integration in various areas.

Each of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait aspires to boost trade exchange levels, especially as official statistics show that it amounted to about SAR 8.39 billion in 2019.

That year, Saudi exports to Kuwait amounted to about SAR 7.83 billion, while imports accounted for around SAR1. 56 billion.

As for cooperation during the coronavirus pandemic, there was consistent, direct, and continuous coordination among the two states’ health ministers.

The Kingdom showed keen interest in stabilizing Kuwaiti markets and supporting them through guaranteeing Saudi products reaching Kuwaiti markets by land, sea, and air. This was welcomed and appreciated by the Kuwaiti government.

It is worth noting that Kuwait is also actively working with Saudi Arabia to achieve goals set by the Saudi Crown Prince’s “Green Middle East” initiative.



Saudi Arabia to Support Syria’s Healthcare Sector

Saudi delegation inspects hospital in Damascus to assess healthcare situation and identify needs (SANA)
Saudi delegation inspects hospital in Damascus to assess healthcare situation and identify needs (SANA)
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Saudi Arabia to Support Syria’s Healthcare Sector

Saudi delegation inspects hospital in Damascus to assess healthcare situation and identify needs (SANA)
Saudi delegation inspects hospital in Damascus to assess healthcare situation and identify needs (SANA)

Saudi Arabia’s air bridge has delivered 730 tons of food, medical supplies, and shelter to Syria. Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) announced that over 3,000 Saudi medical professionals have signed up for its “Amal” (Hope) program.
This initiative aims to support Syria’s healthcare system and address urgent needs in over 20 specialties.
Volunteer medical staff will be sent to Syria after a field assessment of the country’s healthcare facilities. A Saudi delegation is currently visiting hospitals and medical centers in Syria as part of a plan developed in coordination with the Syrian Ministry of Health.
A team from KSrelief recently visited the University Children’s Hospital in Damascus to assess its needs, accompanied by Syrian Ministry of Health officials.
This visit is part of a wider assessment, which has already covered more than ten hospitals and medical centers in Syria to identify needs for staff, equipment, and supplies.
In urgent aid efforts, a Saudi land convoy crossed the border from Jordan to Syria on Sunday, delivering heavy medical equipment, such as MRI machines, X-ray and CT scan devices, which cannot be transported by air.
It also carried essential medications like antibiotics, anesthetics, and surgical supplies. These will be distributed across Syria to support hospitals and medical centers affected by the ongoing crisis.
Dr. Samer Al-Jutaili, KSrelief’s spokesperson, said the 730 tons of aid delivered by air and land bridges will reach all accessible areas in Syria.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he explained that the center’s plan to stabilize Syria’s food security and healthcare sectors was developed after meetings and ongoing field visits to assess the situation. The goal is to help Syria reach an early recovery phase.