Latest news with #KuwaitCoastGuard
Kuwait News Agency
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait News Agency
Official: MoI's strategy enhances security, aligns with Kuwait 2035 vision
الأمن KUWAIT, July 30 (KUNA) -- The official spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier Nasser Abu-Slaib, confirmed Tuesday that the ministry's strategic plan aims to enhance the security system and keep pace with modern changes, in line with the goals of the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision. This came during a visual presentation by Abu-Slaib, titled "Laws - Numbers - Achievements 2025", where he reviewed the strategic plan and legislative amendments to traffic, residency, and drug laws, in addition to the digital transformation that enabled 37 electronic services through the "Sahel" application, with transactions exceeding 30.8 million. He pointed to the biometric fingerprint project that has provided a database for over 16 million people, which is automatically linked with the state ministries, enhancing the procedures for identity verification and security at the borders. He explained that the new drug law aims to reduce use and trafficking by tightening penalties and expanding security powers, as 1,451 cases and 11 drug-related deaths were recorded in the first half of 2025. Abu-Slaib also reviewed the changes to visa residency services, with the launch of the e-visa platform KUWAIT VISA, which allows obtaining entry visas to the country, including the tourist visa, family visa, business visa, and government visa. In addition, he highlighted the innovation of the Kuwait Coast Guard through the inauguration of smart unmanned boats that enhance maritime security and allow them to operate for several days without direct human intervention. He pointed out the new Kuwaiti flag law, which aims to protect the symbolism of the national flag, regulate its use at events, and prohibit the raising of foreign flags or religious or sectarian slogans without official permission. (end)
Arab Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
MoI's strategy enhances security, aligns with 'New Kuwait 2035' vision
KUWAIT CITY, July 30: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) is actively advancing its security framework to keep pace with modern developments and align with the long-term goals of the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision, Brigadier Nasser Abu-Slaib, the official spokesman for the ministry, confirmed on Tuesday. During a detailed presentation titled 'Laws – Numbers – Achievements 2025,' Abu-Slaib reviewed the MoI's comprehensive strategic plan, highlighting key legislative amendments to traffic, residency, and narcotics laws, as well as the ministry's ongoing digital transformation efforts. The 'Sahel' unified government application now provides 37 electronic services, facilitating more than 30.8 million transactions, underscoring the shift towards seamless digital governance. A significant milestone is the biometric fingerprint project, which has compiled a database exceeding 16 million individuals. This biometric system is fully integrated with various state ministries, streamlining identity verification processes and bolstering border security. Abu-Slaib elaborated on the new drug law currently under development, designed to curb narcotics use and trafficking by imposing stricter penalties and expanding law enforcement powers. In the first half of 2025, authorities recorded 1,451 drug-related cases and 11 fatalities linked to substance abuse. The MoI also launched the electronic visa platform, KUWAIT VISA, which simplifies the process of obtaining various types of entry permits, including tourist, family, business, and government visas. Innovation in maritime security was another highlight, with the Kuwait Coast Guard unveiling smart unmanned boats capable of operating autonomously for extended periods. These vessels enhance maritime surveillance, support search and rescue missions, monitor environmental pollution, and reinforce the security of Kuwait's territorial waters. Abu-Slaib also discussed the recently enacted Kuwaiti Flag Law, aimed at protecting the national emblem's dignity. The law regulates flag usage during events, prohibits unauthorized display of foreign flags or sectarian slogans, and forbids raising torn or damaged flags, promoting national unity and respect. Brigadier Abu-Slaib emphasized that the MoI's strategic plan is designed to adapt to evolving social, economic, and technological realities. The plan seeks to promote justice, safeguard the rights of citizens and residents, close legal loopholes, and foster equality while protecting against exploitation and violations. The strategy also prioritizes creating a secure and investor-friendly environment, which will stimulate capital inflows into development projects and strengthen Kuwait's tourism sector. Additionally, the plan includes enhancing legal controls to protect lives and property, supported by advanced technological tools. Regarding the biometric fingerprint initiative, Abu-Slaib noted that Kuwait now maintains 16,371,153 civil fingerprints covering citizens, residents, and visitors. A separate database includes records of citizens, residents, illegal residents, and visitors totaling 5,381,457 individuals. This project reduces identity fraud, expedites transactions, and improves the detection of wanted individuals at borders and airports. In digital transformation, the MoI's 'Sahel' app has revolutionized service delivery, enabling citizens and residents to complete thousands of transactions without in-person visits. The platform will soon incorporate additional digital services from the ministry. The presentation also highlighted the transformative impact of residency law amendments and digital upgrades on the Residency Affairs Departments. The new law aligns with labor market needs, strengthens the economy, protects worker and employer rights, defines clear obligations, and combats human trafficking with strict penalties. These measures enhance Kuwait's international reputation and support its status as a global financial hub. Abu-Slaib detailed the pending amendment to the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, aimed at restricting drug trade and abuse. The law grants wider powers to security agencies to dismantle trafficking networks and includes integrated prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation plans. In 2024, 39 deaths were attributed to narcotics, while the first half of 2025 saw 1,451 cases, 261 addiction complaints, 1,864 defendants, and 11 deaths, highlighting the urgency of these reforms. Regarding maritime security, the General Directorate of Coast Guard has made a significant leap by deploying smart unmanned marine boats. These vessels perform continuous reconnaissance, track suspicious targets, assist search and rescue operations, monitor environmental threats, and enhance security in Kuwait's territorial waters without direct human control for extended durations. On traffic safety, Abu-Slaib reviewed amendments imposing harsher penalties for serious violations such as speeding and running red lights. Technological tools including artificial intelligence cameras and smart apps are used to enforce laws effectively. Since the new traffic law took effect on April 22, 2025, speeding and red-light violations have dropped by 83%, seatbelt and mobile phone infractions by 75%, and traffic-related deaths by 55%. The amendments also fostered a culture of road safety, reducing daily accidents from approximately 300 in 2024, 90% of which were caused by distractions. Finally, Abu-Slaib addressed the amendments to the Kuwaiti Flag Law issued on June 8, which safeguard the national symbol from misuse. The law prohibits raising foreign flags without a permit, except during international sports events in Kuwait. It also bans continuous display of the national flag on private buildings or commercial use, forbids raising the flag if damaged, and restricts flags or slogans with religious, sectarian, or tribal meanings, except for official sports club logos. The Ministry of Interior's multifaceted strategic plan underscores its commitment to safeguarding Kuwait's security, promoting justice, and supporting the nation's vision for 2035.
Arab Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait launches unmanned surface vessels to boost maritime security
KUWAIT CITY, June 30: Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah on Monday inaugurated the unmanned surface vessels (USV's) that have joined the fl eet of the Kuwait Coast Guard at the General Directorate of the Coast Guard. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Major General Ali Mesfer Al-Adwani, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Major General Mujbil Fahd bin Shawq, Assistant Undersecretary for Border Security Sector, as part of a comprehensive plan implemented by the Kuwait Coast Guard to enhance maritime security through new technologies. Commodore Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Sabah, Director General of the Coast Guard, provided a detailed briefing on the advanced operational capabilities of the USV's, saying they can function autonomously for days without direct human intervention. He added that their pivotal missions include surveillance, continuous monitoring, interception of suspicious maritime targets, support for search and rescue operations, monitoring environmental pollution, protecting natural resources, and overall maritime security enforcement within Kuwait's territorial waters. The report highlighted that Sheikh Fahad also inspected the advanced maritime monitoring system currently being implemented. This system covers the entirety of Kuwait's maritime domain and integrates coastal radars, sensors, high-resolution cameras, and unmanned surface vessels under a unified command and control system powered by artificial intelligence. Additionally, Sheikh Fahad toured the maritime operations center, in addition to the control center that controls and operates the USV's, reviewing their operational mechanisms, monitoring systems, and the electronic network linking the maritime units with command centers. Sheikh Fahad praised the General Directorate of the Coast Guard for executing this major project, confirming that the launch of unmanned surface vessels represents a significant step forward in developing Kuwait's maritime security system through modern technologies. He noted that this initiative refl ects the Ministry of Interior's commitment to operational readiness and adopting solutions to protect the Kuwaiti coast's and territorial waters, thereby supporting national security, stability, and safeguarding Kuwait's national interests. (KUNA)
