Day: 3 October 2024

Kuwait condemned on Thursday the Israeli occupation forces aggression on Lebanon and renewed its call for the international community to stop these attacks that threatens the stability of the region.

This came during the speech of Kuwait’s Permanent Delegate to the Arab League Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi in the urgent meeting to discuss ways to ignite Arab unity with Lebanon against this dangerous aggression.

“The meeting is being held under dangerous circumstances as escalation of the Israeli occupation against Lebanon rises, which has resulted in a large number of casualties, injuries and the displacement of hundreds of thousands, including innocent children and women, some of whom are homeless under the continuous and criminal bombardment by the occupation forces,” said Al-Mutairi.

“Kuwait affirms its rejection and denunciation of the aerial military operations launched by the Israeli occupation forces against the brotherly Lebanese people, as well as its condemnation of the ongoing attacks carried out
against the brotherly Palestinian people,” he added.

Al-Mutairi said that these acts are a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law as they threaten the security and stability of the region.

He stressed on Kuwait’s firm stance in calling for the international community and security council to take political, legal and humanitarian responsibilities for these attacks and provide international security for the people in Lebanon and Palestine.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Doha: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) announced that the opening of online registration for the annual Winter Camping Season for 2024-2025, for all regions of the country, will be from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1. The Winter Camping Season is set to begin on Nov. 1, 2023, and concludes on April 30, 2024.

The Ministry held a press conference today to announce the updated requirements and obligations for the new camping season. The Ministry held a press conference today to announce the updated requirements and obligations for the new camping season.

The conference was attended by Director of the Public Relations and Communications Department at MoECC, Mohammed Ahmed Al Dhahi, Director of the Wildlife Protection Department, Chairman of the Winter Camping Affairs Organization Committee at MoECC Hamad Salem Al Nuaimi, First Lieutenant Abdul Hadi Ali Al Marri, Officer at Media and Preventive Education Section at the General Directorate of Civil Defense and Traffic Media Officer at the General Directo
rate of Traffic Lt. Abdulmohsin Al Asmar Al Ruwaili.

Mohammed Ahmed Al Dhahi said that the 2024-2025 winter camping season will start on the first of November, after the end of the application and reservation processes, which begin in mid-October.

He pointed out that the esteemed Council of Ministers, in its regular meeting held last April, approved the draft decision of His Excellency the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, regarding determining the fees for permitting winter camps, which includes reducing the fees for permitting winter camps from QR 10,000 to QR 3,000 for all areas, whether land or sea or those located within a nature reserve, with the exemption of people with disabilities and retirees from those fees. This decision comes with the aim of enhancing welfare and ensuring that society enjoys these places during the season.

He noted that the insurance amount applies to everyone, as it is worth QR 10,000 which will be refunded immediately after removing the camp and returning the site
to its original condition.

Al Dhahi pointed out that the registration process for this year will be available through the MoECC’s electronic application “Beeah”, in addition to the Ministrys official website, explaining that this system allows the registration procedures to be completed with ease and simplicity, which contributes to providing a smooth and fast experience for all users.

He highlighted that winter camping is integral to Qatari heritage and reflects the people’s connection to nature pointing out that the ministry views camping not only as a way to enjoy the outdoors but also as an opportunity to promote environmental awareness and preservation for future generations.

For his part, Director Hamad Al Nuaimi explained that the registration process will take place in three separate stages, where the registration for the central regions will be from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, and for the southern regions, from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20, while registration for the northern regions will be from Oct. 21 to 24, and
the ministry has allocated the period from Oct. 25 to Nov. 5, 2024 for unreserved places in all regions of the country.

Al Nuaimi explained that this year’s new regulations require individuals aged 25 and older to obtain a camping permit. Additionally, the fee for transferring a permit from one area to another is set at QR 1,000.

He noted that the headquarters of the Wildlife Protection Department – Green Qatar opposite Tawar Mall has been designated as a center to provide assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities in the event that they are unable to register electronically, as registration will be allocated to people with disabilities on Oct. 8, 9 and 10.

Hamad Al Nuaimi announced that the Ministry of Environment will only issue one camping permit per person. Permit holders must allow inspectors to conduct camp inspections to ensure compliance with regulations. Failure to permit an inspection may result in permit revocation. He emphasized the importance of adhering to environmental protection
laws and regulations.

He clarified that camping permit fees are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. Reapplication for the same camping site as in the previous season depends on site availability and application priority. If a permit holder violates any conditions, the authorities may remove the camp. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change reserves the right to withdraw the environmental permit for non-compliance with these regulations.

Officials have announced that the Ministry will contact campsite owners to confirm their locations within 72 hours of booking. If there is no communication, owners can reach the Environmental Operations Center at 16066. It is important to note that the deposit for sites not confirmed by the Ministry will not be refunded.

He added that Permit holders must begin setting up their camps in coordination with a Ministry inspector, who must be present during the setup process. The permit is personal and cannot be rented or transferred. The permit must not be used f
or activities other than those specified, and harmful materials are prohibited. Officials emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness, protecting the environment, ensuring that camps are occupied and not abandoned, and disposing of waste only in designated containers.

First Lieutenant Abdul Hadi Ali Al Marri, presented essential guidelines for a safe camping season. He urged campers to hire professionals for electrical installations to prevent electrical accidents and recommended maintaining a distance of 5 to 6 meters between tents. Campers should equip their sites with necessary safety equipment like fire extinguishers and blankets and monitor any fires to avoid hazards. Proper ventilation is also essential to prevent suffocation, and all fires must be extinguished before sleeping or leaving the camp.

He advised placing generators away from tents and ensuring they are safely fueled, as well as isolating cooking areas from living spaces.

First Lieutenant Abdulmohsin Al Asmar Al Ruwaili highlighte
d the General Directorate of Traffic’s annual plan to ensure road safety during the winter camping season, particularly in the Sealine Beach and Khor Al Udaid areas. The plan aims to raise traffic safety awareness, facilitate traffic flow, and enforce regulations aligned with the Ministry of Interior’s strategy.

Traffic statistics indicate a decrease in fatalities and serious injuries from traffic accidents in recent years, attributed to measures such as rehabilitating access points and enforcing safety conditions for motorcycle rentals.

He noted that traffic patrols will be present in high-traffic areas, and drone technology will be used to monitor violations and manage events. The administration is also conducting statistical analyses of vehicle entries to Sealine Beach and accidents based on time and day to improve future traffic planning.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Thursday met Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the sidelines of the third summit of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), held in Doha on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed Kuwait-Thai relations, ways of developing them to serve the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples and the latest regional and international developments.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and the accompanying delegation of His Highness the Amir’s representative were present at the meeting.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Doha: A number of speakers at the 3rd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit (ACD), held under the theme “Sports Diplomacy,” praised the role played by the State of Qatar in bringing peace to the Middle East and other parts of the world.

They highly appreciated Doha’s hosting of this meeting, especially in light of the digital transformation, the recovery phase from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and multiple global crises, including geopolitical rivalries and competitions, armed conflicts, natural disasters, food insecurity, and the exacerbation of conflicts and armed disputes in the Middle East and other regions.

The speakers called for seizing the opportunity of this summit to enhance the pivotal role played by the ACD in jointly addressing these challenges, especially since the situation in the Middle East is of great concern to all. They urged all parties to the conflict to respect international law, especially international humanitarian law, after the escalation of the conflict and the fall of thousa
nds of victims and inured, and to exercise maximum restraint, reach a ceasefire, and resolve armed conflicts peacefully to end human suffering.

The speakers stressed that “sports diplomacy” is an integral part of the ACD agenda to promote positivity, harmony, and cooperation among the countries of Asia, considering sports an important popular platform that contributes to bridging the gap, building ties, and enhancing mutual understanding through sports. They pointed out Qatar’s successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which proved that sports diplomacy can be a platform that allows facing pressing challenges and promoting Asian values.

They indicated that hosting competitions and tournaments that benefit the younger generation can also be used to end conflicts, spread sportsmanship, and enhance discipline, leadership skills, and ethical principles and concepts among all societies. They noted that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has become a symbol of cooperation and solidarity, a model of sports d
iplomacy in promoting peace, a tool for overcoming challenges, a means for constructive dialogue, bringing peoples together, forming alliances, and building bridges of understanding, tolerance, and peace.

The speakers emphasized the significance of unifying the efforts of the Asian countries and working in a strategic manner that allows the ACD to combine efforts with other forums, such as ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and other regional groupings to address existing and future challenges and achieve a sustainable economy that reflects the spirit of Asia and the will of the Asian people to live in peace and fraternity.

In order to face the profound international changes and pressing challenges, the speakers suggested that to achieve sustainable development and growth, opportunities, mutual education, coexistence, and collective action must be created to establish an Asian homeland of peace and coexistence, by expressing the Asian values of coexistence and peace and maintaining this peace amidst
a world rife with conflicts.

They also called for respecting multilateralism, continuing to strive to build consensus among all parties concerned, and supporting each other on core issues by conducting dialogues, consultations, and cooperation on local, regional, and international issues. They also called for building partnerships among countries in the region to achieve prosperity, peace, and mutual benefit, as well as committing to economic integration and free trade, and building a multilateral Asian cooperation network to promote development in various Asian countries and facilitate integration and peaceful and harmonious coexistence, while preserving multilateralism, encouraging cultural exchange, and defending Asian values.

The speakers discussed their countries’ experiences and the progress they have made in the fields of energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, financial cooperation, and governance, and how these developments have contributed to improving the quality of life for their
people and expanding the opportunities available to them. They also discussed the development of their countries’ infrastructure and how they were able to raise growth rates and increase the gross domestic product, as well as the measures they have taken to achieve these goals, while preserving the environment, following green economy models, renewable energy sources, and addressing climate change.

They pointed out the importance of sports diplomacy in enhancing cooperation and development in Asia, recalling their countries’ hosting of many major sporting events and activities and how it was a means of preserving values and celebrating traditional sports, and their launching of various sports initiatives, which contribute to building societies, achieving sustainable development goals, and keeping young people away from the circle of terrorism and extremism.

Source: Qatar News Agency

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent on Thursday a cable of congratulations to Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, wishing him long-lasting health and Japan further progress and prosperity.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Doha: HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani stressed that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and its spillover into Lebanon poses a significant threat to regional stability and global peace and security, emphasizing that the Palestinian people have been deprived of all their legitimate human rights.

In his address at the third Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit, held in Doha under the theme of “Sports Diplomacy,” His Excellency stressed the need for a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.

He praised Qatar’s leadership, government, and people for their excellent organization of the ACD summit, noting that the focus on sports diplomacy underscores its essential role in fostering cultural exchange, empowering youth and women, and strengthening shared human values between nations.

Dr. Al Zayani commended the significant developmental achievements across Asian countries, which have contributed to widespread economic growth. He emphasized
the importance of enhancing strategic partnerships, now essential for leveraging the vast resources and opportunities available to nations.

He also highlighted the need to expand cooperation among Asian nations in key areas such as renewable energy, food security, energy security, technology, innovation, climate change, and sustainable development goals, with its global goals, education, tourism and culture. He further underlined the importance of fostering communication, understanding, and shared values of tolerance, coexistence, and brotherhood.

HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain said that achieving collective aspirations and goals should be a top priority through constructive dialogue, mutual trust, and active cooperation to promote peace, stability, and comprehensive development, which would bring prosperity to all friendly nations, in line with a shared commitment to sustainable partnerships based on mutual interests and values.

Source: Qatar News Agency

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent on Thursday a cable of congratulations to Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, wishing him long-lasting health and Japan further progress and prosperity.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

HE Minister of Labour Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri met with HE Minister of Labour of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mohamed Gobran, on the sidelines of the Governing Board meeting of the Arab Labour Organization, held in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed joint cooperation relations and leveraging successful experiences to enhance the labour environment.

Source: Qatar News Agency