Kuwait new Cabinet holds first meeting

Kuwait Amir signs decree of new government

17/12/2019

(See translation in Arabic section)

The new Kuwait's government, the ninth in the past eight years in the oil-rich Gulf state, saw changes at the top of all the key ministries. Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, son of a former premier, was appointed foreign minister. Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Sabah was appointed defense minister, replacing the emir’s eldest son Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who brought the corruption charges to the public. Anas al-Saleh, outgoing minister of state for Cabinet affairs, was appointed interior minister, the first time a non-ruling family member takes the job. The new government includes three women, an increase from two in the previous Cabinet, including Mariam al-Aqueel in the key Finance Ministry. Khaled al-Roudhan and Khaled al-Fadhel retained the portfolios of commerce and oil, respectively. the active Mohammad Al-Jabri retained his portfolios as the Minister of Information and Minister for Youth Affairs.

HIS Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed a decree Tuesday approving a new government chaired by Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, addressing the new ministers after taking oath before him, urged them to double efforts to accelerate process of development and construction in order to meet aspirations of citizens.

He urged the ministers to abide by the constitution and law as well as protect public funds, "which will only materialize through hard work and teamwork, constructive cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities.

"Join to join hands with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah against "whoever wants to undermine your stability." the Amir said: "you will hear many mean words and you should respond, don't be shy, if there is anyone accusing you, there are courts" to seek.

"You should address problems of citizens in ministries and government departments, and facilitate administrative measures within the laws and regulations," said His Highness the Amir.

His Highness the Amir also thanked His Highness Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for his services while chairing the government.

Kuwait new Cabinet holds first meeting

After taking oath of office before His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah earlier Tuesday, the cabinet held its maiden meeting at Seif Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Highness the Prime Minister welcomed the new ministers, thanking them for accepting the responsibility in this phase which includes different challenges, Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said after the meeting. His Highness the Prime Minister commended the directives of His Highness the Amir on the necessity of eliminating corruption in its forms and manifestations from the society, Al-Saleh added.

His Highness the Prime Minister also extolled His Highness the Amir's directives during his speech after the new Cabinet had taken the constitutional oath before him, Al-Saleh noted.

His Highness the Prime Minister expressed his thanks and appreciations to His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for his strenuous efforts in serving the dear homeland during his tenure.

His Highness the Premier prioritized the protection of public fund and taking necessary steps in this matter, and the promotion of transparency and honesty, he pointed out.

The Premier also stressed the importance of eliminating corruption, indicating that combating this phenomenon is not only the government's responsibility but also the duty of the three authorities and every citizen, the minister concluded. Earlier in the day, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah addressed the new ministers after taking oath before him and urged them to double efforts to accelerate process of development and construction in order to meet aspirations of citizens.

His Highness the Prime Minister instructed speeding up the steps towards restructuring of the national economy and curtailing overreliance on oil revenues.

Profiles of new cabinet ministers in Kuwait

Decreed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the new Kuwaiti cabinet makeup consists of a total 14 ministers, including seven new ones. The government is led by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah:

Born in Kuwait in 1953, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled acquired a BA in political science from Kuwait University in 1977. He served as Kuwait's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and represented it at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from 1995 to 1998. In 2011, he was appointed as Foreign Minister, and later as Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs in February 2012.

In January 2014, an Amiri decree ordered the appointment of Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled as First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. In December 2016, he was re-assigned as Foreign minister, and became Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in December 2017.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah:

Born in 1969, Sheikh Ahmad acquired a BA in support media (political science) From the US University of Kansas and a diploma of military science from Ali Al-Sabah Military Academy.

He held several posts, including Undersecretary of the Defense Ministry in July 2017, Chairman and Director-General of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports in 2014 and member of the authority's board of directors in 2006. He was picked chief of the Defense Ministry's purchase department and assistant undersecretary of the ministry for foreign supplies.

Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh:

He was born in 1972 and acquired a BBA from Portland University in the US in 1997. He held the portfolio of Commerce and Industry in February in 2012, then July 2012 and December 2012, in addition to the portfolio of state for housing affairs. He became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in August 2013 and December 2016. He was also chosen Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs in December 2017. He was a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 2006 and 2010.

Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan:

He was born in 1978. He acquired a BBA from Kuwait University. He was became Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of State for Youth Affairs between November 2016 and October 2017.

Minister of Information and Minister for Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri:

He was born in 1974. He obtained a BA in information systems and master's degree in international relations. He became Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs in December 2016, Minister of Information in December 2017 and then Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs in March 2018. He was elected member of parliament in 2013, 2014 and then 2016. 

Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Basem Al-Sabah:

Born in 1974, he graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, in 1999. He acquired a doctorate and Canadian board of  Otolaryngology from the Canadian McGill  University in 2006. He was picked as Minister of Health in December 2017.

Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Fahad Al-Afasi:

He was born in 1971. He obtained a BA in law from Cairo University in 1994 and a PhD in law from the Lebanese University in 2006. He was chosen Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in December 2017 and Minister of Justice and State for National Assembly Affairs in December 2018.

Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel:

Born in 1973, Al-Fadhel acquired a doctorate of mathematical modeling of chemical systems from the US Lehigh University in 2005. He became minister of oil in December 2017. In the December 2018 shakeup, he retained his post, along with the portfolio of electricity and water.

Minister of Finance and Acting State Minister for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Qeel:

She was born in 1968. She acquired a BA in accounting from Kuwait University in 1989. She was chosen State Minister for Economic Affairs and Acting Minister of Finance in December 2017. She held several senior posts at the Ministry of Finance.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah:

Born in 1971, he obtained a BA in international relations and a BA in foreign languages. He acquired Metriz Certificate for human science from France's University of Strasbourg and a master's degree in international relations and translation from the same university in 1995.

He acquired a doctorate in political science from France's Sorbonne University in 2000. He held several high-level posts at the Foreign Ministry, including an extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador in 2005. He became Assistant Foreign Minister for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister's Office Affairs in 2016 and Assistant Foreign Minister for the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister's Office Affairs in 2017.

Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Housing Affairs Dr. Rana Al-Fares:

She acquired a BA in civil engineering from South California University in 2004 and a doctorate in geo-technology from the same university. She was a professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Oil at Kuwait University. She was picked deputy chairman of the Central Agency for Tenders in December 2017. She also became assistant undersecretary for governmental follow-up at the Government Performance Follow-up Agency.

Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Saud Al-Harbi:

Born in 1961, Al-Harbi obtained a BA in educational psychology from Kuwait University in 1986 and a master's degree in education from Kuwait University in 2000 and a PhD from Cairo University in 2006. He held several posts at the Ministry of Education, mainly the ministry's undersecretary. He was elected director-general of the Arab League's Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Ghadeer Aseeri:

She acquired a BA in philosophy from Kuwait University in 2002, a master's degree in social service and policy in 2008 from the US and a doctorate in social policy from the UK in 2016.  She worked in the Social Development Office of His Highness the Prime Minister's Diwan.

Minister of State for Service Affairs and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Mubarak Al-Harees:

He was born in 1964. He obtained a PhD in law from Kuwait University. He was elected a member of parliament in 2013 and then 2016. He was a legal scholar in the office of the governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait and head of the Fatwa and Legislation Department's legislation development committee.

Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Waleed Al-Jassem:

He was born in 1959. He acquired a BA in architecture from the US South Carolina University in 1983. He occupied several posts at Kuwait Municipality, including deputy director-general.