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Kuwait Parliament Kicks off New Sessions by Debriefing Defense, Commerce Ministers

An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Parliament Kicks off New Sessions by Debriefing Defense, Commerce Ministers

An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)
An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly building. (Reuters)

Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim said Monday that he has officially received motions to grill Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah and Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Al-Salman.

Ghanim announced that according to the bylaws, he had informed the "Prime Minister and the concerned MPs of the grilling motions, and they will be scheduled on the next ordinary session."

The Defense Minister's grilling paper includes questioning about allowing women to join the military, "unjust officer promotions," and "waste of public money and the loss of rights of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) employees."

Meanwhile, the Commerce Minister's grilling motion included "damaging Kuwait's reputation by intimidating several leaderships and harming the public interest," reported the state news agency (KUNA).

On October 12, the Minister of Defense announced it was allowing Kuwaiti women to enlist in the military for the first time after they were restricted to civilian roles.

The Minister issued a ministerial decree to open the registration for women to join the National Military Service.

"The time has come for Kuwaiti women to be given the opportunity to enter the Kuwaiti military side by side with their brothers," the minister said in remarks carried by KUNA.

At the current stage, their role would be restricted to medical supportive military services

"Kuwaiti women have proven their achievements in several fields, and accordingly, the approval was given for women to enter the military corps along with men," he said.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Djibouti Sign Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Diplomatic, Special Passport Holders

Saudi Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Ambassador Abdulmajeed Al-Smari and Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama at Monday's signing ceremony. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Ambassador Abdulmajeed Al-Smari and Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama at Monday's signing ceremony. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Djibouti Sign Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Diplomatic, Special Passport Holders

Saudi Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Ambassador Abdulmajeed Al-Smari and Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama at Monday's signing ceremony. (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Ambassador Abdulmajeed Al-Smari and Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama at Monday's signing ceremony. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Djibouti signed on Monday a mutual visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and special passports between the governments of the two countries.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Ambassador Abdulmajeed Al-Smari, on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and by Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama.

The agreement comes within the framework of the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries and will boost coordination and the development of joint cooperation across various fields.

Gulf

Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Be Held in Jeddah in November

The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)
The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)
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Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Be Held in Jeddah in November

The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)
The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition will be held in Jeddah from November 8 to 11. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program (PEP), one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030, will organize the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah from November 8 to 11.

The event will bring together more than 520 entities from the government, private, and nonprofit sectors at the local and international levels. It will also bring together decision-makers from the government, private, and third sectors.

The conference reflects the leadership's continued commitment to serving pilgrims and Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop the Hajj services ecosystem and improve its quality. It supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program.

This year's event will serve as a key platform for early preparations for the next Hajj season. It will bring together relevant stakeholders to finalize contracts, discuss operational and regulatory matters, showcase solutions and initiatives, build partnerships, and enhance readiness for the upcoming season.

As a global platform for leaders, decision-makers, and specialists from around the world, the event will showcase solutions and practices and facilitate the exchange of expertise across three tracks.

The first track, Infrastructure and Operational Services, covers transportation and logistics, infrastructure and facilities management, housing and hospitality, and catering and nutrition. The second, Empowerment and Integration, focuses on safety and security, healthcare, media and communication, and technology and innovation. The third, Sustainable Development, covers the third sector, entrepreneurship, training and development, and enhancing the pilgrim experience.

Alongside the conference, an exhibition covering the Hajj services ecosystem will be held, bringing together entities and providers of services and solutions from more than 150 countries.

The exhibition will feature specialized communities comprising leaders, Hajj affairs offices, and service providers. It will include communities representing aviation, transportation, hospitality, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, innovation, the workforce, investment, and business development.

The previous edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition attracted more than 204,000 visitors and 270 exhibitors from more than 150 countries. It featured 134 specialized sessions and workshops, while more than 2,600 trainees from around the world participated in its training programs.

Gulf

Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Oman Discuss Strategic Partnership, Maritime Security

Oman’s Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi and Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi meet on Monday. (SPA)
Oman’s Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi and Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi meet on Monday. (SPA)
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Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Oman Discuss Strategic Partnership, Maritime Security

Oman’s Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi and Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi meet on Monday. (SPA)
Oman’s Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi and Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi meet on Monday. (SPA)

Oman’s Chief of Staff of the Sultan's Armed Forces Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi received on Monday Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi for talks on strengthening cooperation and coordination with member states.

They reviewed areas of cooperation and ways to strengthen the partnership between the IMCTC and Oman, particularly in countering terrorism, building capacities, and exchanging expertise, in support of regional and international efforts to address extremist threats and promote security, stability, and peace.

Al-Moghedi outlined the coalition's key activities, initiatives, and programs across its four domains: intellectual, media, counter-terrorist financing, and military, as well as its efforts to support member states and develop their institutional and human capabilities.

He outlined the role of the IMCTC's Initiatives Fund, its objectives, and its main areas of operation. The fund supports strategic initiatives that member states identify as priorities, enabling them to implement specialized programs and sustainable projects across various fields of counter-terrorism.

The secretary-general and his delegation visited the Maritime Security Center in Oman, where they were briefed on the center's mandate and operational responsibilities, its mechanisms for monitoring and coordinating activities at sea, and its role in strengthening maritime security and safety and addressing potential risks and threats.