Former Deputies Lead Candidate Lineup in Kuwait National Assembly Elections

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry’s Elections Affairs Administration began receiving applications from candidates for upcoming National Assembly elections (KUNA)
The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry’s Elections Affairs Administration began receiving applications from candidates for upcoming National Assembly elections (KUNA)
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Former Deputies Lead Candidate Lineup in Kuwait National Assembly Elections

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry’s Elections Affairs Administration began receiving applications from candidates for upcoming National Assembly elections (KUNA)
The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry’s Elections Affairs Administration began receiving applications from candidates for upcoming National Assembly elections (KUNA)

The first day of registration for Kuwait’s National Assembly (parliament) elections saw 42 candidates, including two women, stepping forward.
The Interior Ministry’s Elections Affairs Administration began receiving applications from candidates for the 18th legislative session of parliamentary elections, marking the start of a 10-day candidacy period.
Former National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun and former deputy Marzouq Al-Khalifa were among the early registrants.
On his part, Al-Saadoun highlighted the importance of upcoming reforms, while emphasizing citizen engagement and informed choices.
“We are heading towards reformist issues in the upcoming assembly unprecedented in Kuwait’s history,” said Al-Saadoun, stressing the consensus of 48 members on legislative priorities as groundbreaking.
Other candidates, such as Ahmad Larie, Omar Al-Tabtabaie, Abdul Kareem Al-Kandari, Abdul Wahab Al-Essa, Badr Aldahoum, Fahad Al-Muweizri, Ali Al-Daqbasi, Fahad Al-Burjis Al-Eid, Fares Al-Otaibi, Issa Hajji Musa, Ahmed Mohammed Bin Samim Al-Otaibi, and Saadoun Hammad, also submitted their candidacies.
Former deputy Dr. Janan Bushahri announced her candidacy on “X.”
According to the Ministry of Interior, candidates for the National Assembly must be Kuwaiti citizens by birth, meet voter qualifications, be listed on an electoral roll, be able to read and write Arabic, and be at least 30 years old on election day.
Candidates must not have prior convictions for dishonorable, untrustworthy, or blasphemous acts, unless cleared legally.
To run, candidates must pay a 50 Kuwaiti dinar deposit ($160 USD) for charity, refundable if they withdraw or receive less than one-tenth of valid votes. Proof of payment is required with the nomination application.



GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
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GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA

Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts from Central Asia discussed in Kuwait on Wednesday consolidating cooperation in several fields.

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue focused on enhancing the strong relations between the GCC and Central Asian countries and discussed a joint action plan to advance cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Preparations were also reviewed for the upcoming summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month. This summit follows the inaugural one held in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said the meeting marks a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the meeting, Al-Yahya, current President of the GCC Ministerial Council, highlighted the growing historical, cultural, and human ties between the two regions, and emphasized the shared political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

The meeting focused on several key areas of priority, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment, and developing sectors such as transport and energy, clean energy transitions, green economies, and modern technologies, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, aiming to support stability and sustainable development.

On political and security matters, the foreign minister stressed the importance of consultation and coordination on shared challenges, especially in combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, and praised the GCC Secretariat for its role in advancing joint action mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues, Al-Yahya reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On his part, Al-Budaiwi said that both the GCC and Central Asian states are committed to advancing cooperation across various sectors, as outlined in the Joint Action Plan for 2023-27.

He stated that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the Israeli occupation's violations against the Palestinian people, and reiterated the GCC's rejection of these violations and called on the international community to act decisively in support of Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.