Latest news with #Al-Yahya
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait leads final phase of wellness mall assessments in the Gulf
KUWAIT CITY, July 20: In a move aimed at elevating public health standards across commercial spaces, Kuwait's Ministry of Health, through its Healthy Cities Office, has launched the final evaluation phase of the 'Muazez' initiative — a health-promoting malls program within Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The announcement came during a press briefing on Sunday by Dr. Amal Al-Yahya, Director of the Healthy Cities Office, who explained that the evaluation phase precedes the announcement of the top-performing malls participating in the regional initiative. The evaluation is supervised by the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities and supported by the Gulf Health Council. Dr. Al-Yahya noted that the initiative is part of broader joint Gulf efforts to improve public health environments in urban and commercial spaces. 'Kuwait has been actively involved in the initiative since 2023 and has already accredited six malls as health-promoting,' she said. The current evaluation involves both regional and local evaluators, including visiting assessors from other GCC countries. Among the malls being evaluated this year are The Promenade, The Avenues, and 360 Mall—all of which have taken steps to enhance their environments to promote healthier lifestyles for visitors. Evaluation specialist Amira Al-Arimi, from the Sultanate of Oman, praised Kuwait's leadership in the initiative. 'This is my third visit to Kuwait for the Muazez initiative. Kuwait played a vital role in developing the guideline framework that shapes the program,' she said, adding that the initiative aligns with community-based health strategies endorsed by the World Health Organization. Representing the private sector, Director of Dar Al-Othman, Abdullah Al-Othman, spoke about Promenade Mall's participation. He emphasized the mall's commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment through activities such as wellness campaigns, blood donation drives, and the establishment of the Al-Othman Ambulance Center in April. 'The Promenade received gold-level accreditation in the first phase of Muazez,' said Al-Othman. 'We see our participation as a key part of our corporate social responsibility and ongoing efforts to support public health.' The Ministry of Health had previously hosted the 24th meeting of the GCC's Gulf Committee last June, which focused on the development of health-promoting commercial communities. The event also included a training session for initiative evaluators, along with field visits to participating shopping centers. The Muazez initiative continues to serve as a model for integrating public health into everyday life, reflecting the growing commitment of GCC nations to foster wellness in shared urban spaces.
Arab Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait Amir embarks on official France visit Sunday
KUWAIT CITY, July 12: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied by an official delegation, is set to leave for France on Sunday on an official visit. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya said Saturday that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to France would reflect the depth of the historical relations between the two countries. In a statement to KUNA, Al-Yahya said that Kuwaiti-French relations span more than six decades of constructive cooperation and political understanding, noting that His Highness the Amir's visit represents an important milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership. He added that the visit program includes high-level meetings with senior French officials, in addition to the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields, including infrastructure, education, defense, and culture. He explained that the visit would open new horizons for political, economic, and investment cooperation in line with the priorities of the National Development Plan (New Kuwait 2035). Al-Yahya described France as Kuwait's reliable international partner, appreciating France's supportive stances on its security and stability. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is scheduled to begin an official visit to France on Sunday. The Kuwaiti-French relations date back to August 28, 1961, when Paris assigned its Beirut ambassador as envoy to Kuwait and established commercial representation in the Gulf State before establishing the diplomatic ties with Kuwait in 1967. In the cultural field, the two sides signed a cooperation agreement in 1969, which contributed to sending Kuwaiti students to leading French universities and supporting training programs, graduate studies, and joint research. The year 2015 saw the signing of eight agreements covering culture, education, and the social sciences, most notably the establishment of the French Center for Archeology and Social Sciences in Kuwait. Their bilateral cooperation continued with the signing of three important agreements during the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to Kuwait in April 2025. These agreements included a declaration of intent for cooperation in the field of energy, a memorandum of understanding on energy efficiency and energy transition, and an agreement to exchange classified information in the defense field. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is scheduled to begin an official visit to the friendly Republic of France on Sunday. It is His Highness the Amir's first such visit to the European nation and comes to mark the leaders of the two countries' keenness on cementing and developing these ties at various levels. The French-Kuwaiti relations date back to August 28, 1961, when Paris assigned its Beirut ambassador as envoy to Kuwait and established commercial representation in the Gulf State before establishing diplomatic ties with Kuwait in 1967. These relations, over the past seven decades, developed in all fields, culminating with Paris' stand of support for Kuwait in 1990 when the late president Francois Mitterrand declared, on August 26, 1990, that the sovereignty of Kuwait is nonnegotiable and dispatched some 18,000 troops to the region to partake in liberating the country. Senior leaders and officials of the two countries, since establishing the relations, have reciprocated visits. The late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah had visited France several times, lastly in September 1989, when he held talks with the officials in Paris on promoting the bilateral relations in diverse sectors. The late Amir Sheikh Jaber had later visited France in October 1990, during the flagrant Iraqi occupation of the country, and in October 1991 to express gratitude and appreciation of the French support for the just Kuwaiti cause. He had also gone to France in November 2006 where he met with President Jacques Chirac and senior officials, discussing means of cementing the bilateral relations and issues of common interest. In January 2017, the (ex) first deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, took part in the international conference for peace in the Middle East, held in Paris. On April 24, French Foreign Minister Jean- Noel Barrot came to Kuwait where he held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya on ways of strengthening the relations, in addition to signing several accords and memoranda of understanding in diverse spheres. The Kuwaiti Embassy in France took part in the Gulf Vision Conference (2025), held in France under the sponsorship of President Emmanuel Macron, aimed at bolstering the European nation's partnership with the GCC states amid rapid changes in the global economy and mutual efforts to broaden the economic relations. France is a major investor in Kuwait's energy, infrastructure, transport, health, and cosmetics sectors, with the number of French companies operating in the Gulf country accounting for 50 percent of the European companies. France and Kuwait had signed several agreements in different sectors, namely in taxation, first inked in 1973, in addition to an agreement for protecting and boosting investments, ratified by the two governments in 1989. In June 2017, Kuwait and Paris signed an agreement for executing measures of the taxation treaties. France mainly exports to Kuwait cosmetics, perfumes, clothes, vehicles, food and aviation equipment. At the military level, Kuwait eyes France a strategic ally, especially since Paris took part in the international coalition for liberating the country in 1991, along with subsequent defense treaties. In August 1992, the two countries signed a defense treaty regulating cooperation and stipulating that Paris pledges to stand on Kuwait's side against any external aggression. It also tackled the holding of military training and maneuvers, exchanging expertise. Moreover, they had signed another accord in December 2006 on defense cooperation. In the health sector, a delegation of Nice University visited Kuwait and held talks with local health officials on enhancing cooperation and expertise exchange. In April 2025, Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadi signed an MoU with Gustave Roussy Hospital. At the level of scientific and cultural cooperation, the two countries had signed several MoUs and accords to increase the number of Kuwaiti students studying in France, to partake in cultural activities, and to exchange experience in the field.
Arab Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Amir of Kuwait to Begin Official Visit to France
KUWAIT CITY, July 12: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied by an official delegation, will depart Kuwait tomorrow, Sunday, for an official visit to the French Republic. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya emphasized that the upcoming visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to France marks a significant milestone in bolstering the strategic partnership between Kuwait and France, particularly amid the current regional and global challenges. In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Saturday, Al-Yahya noted that the visit reflects the depth of historic ties between the two nations and demonstrates their shared commitment to further developing relations across various sectors to serve mutual interests. Highlighting more than six decades of constructive cooperation and diplomatic understanding, Al-Yahya praised the longstanding Kuwaiti-French relationship. He added that the Amir's official visit includes high-level meetings with senior French officials, as well as the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding in diverse areas such as infrastructure, education, defense, and culture, underscoring the breadth and strength of bilateral cooperation. Al-Yahya affirmed that Kuwait regards France as a trustworthy international partner with aligned views on many regional and global matters. He expressed confidence that the visit will open new avenues for political dialogue, economic collaboration, and investment opportunities, in alignment with Kuwait's National Development Plan (New Kuwait 2035). He also noted the ongoing coordination between the two countries in international forums and expressed Kuwait's appreciation for France's consistent support for the country's security and stability during key moments in its history.
Kuwait Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait calls for unified Gulf efforts to expand Healthy Cities initiative
KUWAIT: A senior Kuwaiti health official has emphasized the need for unified Gulf efforts to accelerate progress in the Healthy Cities initiative, a regional program that integrates health into urban planning to improve quality of life and drive sustainable development. Speaking at the 24th meeting of the GCC Joint Committee on Healthy Cities, Dr Amal Al-Yahya, Director of the Ministry of Health's Healthy Cities Department, said cross-border collaboration and coordination among sectors are critical for advancing public health, expanding community participation, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 'The Healthy Cities initiative offers a powerful platform for joint action between ministries, municipalities, civil society, and the private sector,' Dr Al-Yahya said. 'It enables us to create environments that support health, sustainability and social equity.' The meeting, attended by Gulf representatives, focused on advancing health-promoting commercial complexes — malls and markets designed with public health in mind — and moving from national pilot projects to a unified GCC-wide approach. Dr Al-Yahya noted that achieving this requires good planning, capacity building, and the adoption of standardized models and evaluation mechanisms. The committee reviewed recommendations from the Second Kuwait Healthy Cities Conference held in February and explored how to translate those into actionable plans. Dr Al-Yahya emphasized the need to register more cities under WHO's Healthy Cities framework and strengthen the role of civil society in supporting long-term health and environmental outcomes. Kuwait's Healthy Cities Kuwait is steadily expanding its participation in the WHO Regional Network of Healthy Cities, with Fintas becoming the country's 21st registered area earlier this week. The signing ceremony, led by Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, was attended by Dr Al-Yahya, who confirmed Fintas' official inclusion. According to the Ministry of Health, the Healthy Cities initiative in Kuwait goes beyond traditional healthcare settings by addressing social determinants of health — such as urban design, education, and access to green spaces — that impact daily life. According to the United Nations, a 'healthy city' is not one that is already healthy, but one that commits to improving the living environment for all residents. The WHO defines such cities as places that prioritize health in urban planning, promote community participation, and support equitable access to services. In practical terms, this translates into cleaner air, accessible public spaces, walkable neighborhoods, better waste management, and greater community voice in local planning. It also means investing in infrastructure that encourages healthy lifestyles — like bike lanes, green areas, and inclusive services for youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities. As Kuwait moves forward with its goal to increase the number of certified healthy cities to 10 fully recognized urban areas, it is also pushing complementary programs like health-promoting universities, elderly-friendly public infrastructure, and smart, sustainable retail spaces. — Agencies
Arab Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait conducts training on advancing health-promoting malls across the GCC
KUWAIT CITY, June 24: The Healthy Cities Office at Kuwait's Ministry of Health launched a Gulf training course aimed at building the capacity of evaluators involved in assessing health-promoting shopping malls across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The two-day program, which began on Tuesday, includes both theoretical sessions and field visits to malls that have successfully passed previous evaluation stages. In her opening remarks, Dr. Amal Al-Yahya, Director of the Healthy Cities Office, highlighted the course's focus on establishing standardized measurement tools and evaluation mechanisms. She emphasized the importance of developing the necessary skills and considerations for evaluators in promoting public health through healthy environments. Dr. Al-Yahya explained that the Health-Promoting Shopping Centers and Malls Initiative, known as 'Muazaz,' represents a model for implementing the Healthy Cities Initiative's vision. The initiative aims to enhance public health by addressing social determinants of health and creating environments conducive to well-being. The course features Kuwait's experience with the Muazaz initiative as a practical model, providing trainees with exposure to both office-based and on-site evaluations. Dr. Al-Yahya noted that the training is aligned with the unified Gulf guide endorsed by the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities. She described the Muazaz initiative as a framework designed to encourage shopping malls to invest in health promotion. The framework has been approved by GCC health ministries and supports malls in enhancing health-friendly environments, making them eligible for official recognition as health-promoting centers. Dr. Al-Yahya also stressed the importance of transforming shopping spaces into environments that promote healthy living, particularly by supporting vulnerable groups such as individuals with disabilities, infants, pregnant and nursing women, and the elderly. Dr. Laila Al-Fuzaie, Director of the Healthy Mall Project at the Healthy Cities Office, echoed the initiative's significance in fostering public health and providing shoppers with a healthy and comfortable experience. She said Kuwait's development vision includes promoting community health beyond traditional healthcare services by building supportive environments that encourage healthy lifestyles. Dr. Al-Fuzaie pointed out that the Health-Promoting Mall Initiative has demonstrated the potential for integrating public health into daily life through strategic partnerships. She called for its expansion to all shopping malls and the integration of technology in raising health awareness. She also outlined the initiative's objectives, implementation standards, challenges faced, and key achievements — notably, the rise in health awareness among mall visitors. In conjunction with the training, Kuwait's Ministry of Health hosted the 24th meeting of the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities on Monday. The committee reviewed progress on the Health-Promoting Malls Project and discussed advancing from national implementation to a unified Gulf-level initiative.
